Brown Mountain Hike via Great Meadow

There are many hiking options centered around the High Lakes Trail. The moderate hike begins at Great Meadow. This portion of the trail is a hot spot for beautiful wildflowers in the early summer months. Also, the areas near the lakes provide ample opportunities for viewing bald eagles and ospreys. Further down the trail, the Lake of the Woods to Fish Lake section descends through impressive lava flows from Brown Mountain, and although the trail does not summit Brown Mountain, it boasts views of Mount McLoughlin, the highest peak in the Southern Oregon Cascades. The trail ends at Fish Lake, where there are options to connect to Pacific Crest Trail, Brown Mountain #1005, and Fish Lake Trail #1013. In the winter this is a great location for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. If you choose to do the hike as a shuttle, consider beginning the trail from Great Meadow, as it is 300 feet higher than Fish Lake, allowing for a descent at the end of the trail. Be advised that the trail is fairly exposed and can be quite hot during summer, so it is best to hike early or avoid high summer. Expect mosquitoes in June. In the winter, storms dump several feet of snow, transforming the area into a backcountry wonderland.