Few People Know About This Oregon Lake That Comes And Goes

There is more than one lake called Lost Lake in Oregon, but this one really lives up to its name. This lake, which is not far from the town of Sisters in the heart of the Cascade Mountains, actually appears and disappears each year. It's curious and interesting, and it's certainly worth a visit. You're going to love learning about this mysterious lake in Oregon. Read on to learn more about it, and why it comes and goes!

There are times when Lost Lake covers 79 acres. During the rainy parts of the year, this lake is big and wet.

On the flip side, once springtime is in full swing, this lake covers zero acres. It dries up, after draining completely into this 7-foot wide hole.

As it drains and after the draining is complete, grass grows, and it becomes a meadow.

Next winter, the cycle starts all over again. Welcome back, Lost Lake! We've missed you!

Why does this happen?

Geologists believe that the hole leads to a lava tube that formed during a period of intense volcanic activity around 12,000 years ago. It collapsed at some point and connected above and below.

It's believed that the water drains into Clear Lake six miles away.

When it's rainy and the nearby streams are flowing fast, water pours into this basin too quickly for it to drain.

When the winter rain stops, the water slowly starts to drain into the hole.

If you visit at the right time of the year, you can check out the hole yourself, but in the winter it's in the middle of the lake.

This area is a spectacular one for camping and hiking. Depending on what time of the year you visit, you may or may not be able to see the lake. Or the hole.

Maybe go back a few times to see how it looks in different seasons? The whole thing is pretty amazing. Enjoy!

Lost Lake is certainly an interesting Oregon natural wonder!  Plan a trip there soon - and then another one in six months - and see how different it looks each time.

One important thing to remember, though: PLEASE don't try to block the hole with anything. It won't work, and it just creates more work for the hardworking folks at the Oregon Department of Forestry. It's VERY hard to get debris out of there. Just look, enjoy, and leave it alone!

If you're looking for more natural wonders in Oregon to check out, here's a list to inspire you: 8 Incredible Natural Wonders In Oregon That You Can Witness For Free