Catalpa Lake is a short hike of less than a mile to a secluded lake south of Mt Hood and east of Frog Lake Butte. From Cedar Burn Rd which connects Highway 26 with SR48 along the White River, take NF2610 north, continuing straight onto less developed road when the road curves and after 2.3 miles total there will be a little cut off the right hand side of the road with a trail sign. The trail goes starts straight at the end crosses Green Lake Creek before heading up to the lake.
To extend the adventure, when you’re done enjoying the lake head back and just before the trail head, head left onto the Bonney Meadows Trail and start down the hill for 1.7 miles before crossing a forest road.
Ahead is Barlow Creek and the ruins of an old bridge that used to cross here. Off to the right is an easy crossing of the stream which puts you in the Barlow Creek Campground.
From here you can cross through the campground and explore north or south along the Barlow Road any amount before returning the way you came. Heading north on the Barlow Road for about half a mile you’ll find a junction where the left will take you south back to the river crossing on a lovely road being reclaimed by the forest.
With both the lake and the loop along the Barlow Road, the hike totals about 7 miles and 1000 feet of elevation gain.
