We stayed at Horseshoe Lake Campground, thinking no one would be a this remote campground during the week. Hahaha - very crowded. But a pretty lake, with the unusual feature of a boat ramp (hand-powered boats only.) You can take Trail #116 from the campground. 115# peels off first. Goes across flattish area and also to trail to Green Mountain. We didn't take it other than to observe the trail plunges steeply downhill. Then 116 to the north and the Keene horse camp peels off. Again, didn't take other than to observe this keeps climbing up and up and like #115, tread has been pulverized and is full of rocks by dirt bikers. If you make it all the way around the lake (15 mins or so), and take one of the social trails to the shore,you will be rewarded with a postcard-perfect shot of MT Adams. Alas, 116 does not make it to High Lakes. Shortly after leaving the lake, trail crosses Killen Creek. Requires removing your boots and wading thru knee-high water. And shortly after that, trail crosses Adams Creek. Bridge has been washed out and Forest Service warns strongly against attempting to cross on your own.
Note if you approach this campsite from Rte 23, the good news is that about 20 miles of the 35 or so miles are paved. The bad news is that the unpaved part is just horrible. Rte 2329 is especially awful - soft sandy road full of washouts and divots you could put a bathtub into. Due to the dappled light under the trees you can't see the divots. The mile-plus spur into the campground is also a Road From Hell. We did this in a Ford 350 with all-wheel drive and beefy suspension. We were astonished at all the passenger cars we saw!. Coming back we took the 21 route (back to Randle) which was far better. Rte 5603 was even paved!
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