Explore Bend – Snowshoeing to Todd Lake

The journey to Todd Lake is extraordinary. I marveled at the views and fell in love with the trail’s diverse landscape. We trekked through open meadows and a tranquil hemlock forest that looked straight out of a fairytale, with its delicate mossy drapery and snow-covered branches. With mild elevation changes and a decent amount of mileage, I would rate this trail as moderate yet feasible for most active skill levels. The best part? The trail was delightfully quiet and a refreshing change of pace to the extremely popular sno-park trails nearby.

Trail Overview: 0.8 mile Common Corridor (out-and-back) + 3.25 mile Todd Lake Loop + 0.5 mile (out-and-back) to view Todd Lake

How to Get There: Start at Mt. Bachelor’s Nordic Center

Start your adventure off by parking at Mt. Bachelor’s Nordic Center. There, you obtain a free (and required) “Common Corridor” pass at the Nordic Center’s ticket office. The Common Corridor links the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center to the Todd Lake Snowshoe Loop trailhead. To access the Common Corridor, you exit the Nordic Center and just to the right of the building, there will be a staff member to check your pass and point you in the direction that you want to go. Before reaching Todd Lake’s Snowshoe Loop, you need to cross the highway to get to the trailhead. It is 1/2 mile hike to the Cascade Lakes Highway (which is closed for the season and safe for all winter enthusiasts to cross) from the Nordic Center. After crossing the highway, we spotted the Todd Lake’s Snowshoe Loop trailhead sign and that’s when the real fun begins.

Common Corridor Pass

Crossing Cascade Lakes Highway

Todd Lake Snowshoe Loop Trail Map

Todd Lake Snowshoe Loop

We hiked the loop counter-clockwise and found this direction to be very enjoyable. The terrain was beautiful, diverse, and kept us awestruck around every turn. At the midpoint of the loop, you have the option to take a detour to Todd Lake. Do it! It is the highlight of this trail. You will see signs indicating that it is a 1/4 mile straight shot to the lake. As you near the lake, on a clear day, you will be greeted with stunning views of Broken Top in the backdrop. It’s a great spot to sit down, have a snack, and soak in Bend’s beauty. I’m lucky enough to have an amazing hiking buddy who treats us to hot toddies at every resting point- 10/10 recommend that as well. After your pitstop at the lake, you can head back out to complete the loop and end your hike back at the Nordic Center! I hope you enjoy and remember to always treat Bend’s wilderness with love and respect!