| Aneroid Lake | |
|---|---|
| Location | Eagle Cap Wilderness, Wallowa County, Oregon, USA |
| Lake type | Tarn |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 653 yd (597 m) |
| Max. width | 478 yd (437 m) |
| Average depth | 348 ft (106 m) |
| Max. depth | 560 ft (170 m) |
| Surface elevation | 7,500 ft (2,300 m) |
Aneroid Lake is a large tarn located on Aneroid Mountain in the Eagle Cap Wilderness of Northeastern Oregon. It is situated in between Roger Lake and Dollar Lake.[1] It is not accessible by any kind of motor vehicle. However, there is a popular hiking trail that leads to the lake. There is a small group of private cabins near the south end and Pete's Point is clearly visible from the lake.[2] It ties with Laverty Lake as the twenty-third highest lake in the Eagle Cap Wilderness at 7,500 ft (2,300 m).[3]
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Being surrounded by slopes that are typically covered in snow as early as October, Aneroid lake has become a popular cross country skiing destination. Guided tours are available, some tours utilize the cabins at the lake.[4]
The area is known for unexpected avalanches, which at times have caused fatalities. One of the earliest avalanche caused fatalities on record that occurred at Aneroid Lake was on February 14, 1981 when an avalanche killed one skier near the lake.[5] Through not a single avalanche related death had occurred at lake since 1981, on March 7, 2009 a 50 year old skier was killed near the lake. Roger T. Roepke, his 15 year old son, and 48 year old Don Woodhouse were part of a group who was skiing about one half mile above the Aneroid Lake cabins when a quarter mile long slab avalanche occurred, burring the three skiers. The avalanche began at about 1:00pm and slid approximately 1,000 feet before dying out. It received a 3.5 danger scale rating by the American Avalanche Association. Don Woodhouse and the 15 year old Roepke would survive the event. However, after 30 minutes of CPR and other live saving measures, Roger Roepke was considered dead.[6][7]
One half mile east of Aneroid Lake is Aneroid Lake Snotel #2, which is one of the two SNOTELs in the Eagle Cap mountains. It measures the depth of the snow, the amount of water content in the snow, general precipitation, and air temperature. It is operated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and was installed in 1982.[8]
Aneroid Lake can be accessed by either the East Fork Wallowa River Trailhead at Wallowa Lake or Tenderfoot Trailhead. The East Fork Wallowa River Trailhead is by far a shorter hike to Aneroid Lake, being only 6 miles long. It begins at the south end of Wallowa Lake, near Wallowa Lake State Park. After about two miles of hiking on the East Fork Wallowa River Trail, the climber will reach a small dam. At 3.8 miles there is a small, well built bridge. At 5.5 miles lays Roger Lake.[9] The trail is usually very well maintained. It may be heavily traveled in the summer months.[10]