2012 Trips
2
basin lakes/indian heaven wilderness
4.5 miles of hiking • 1000' elevation gain • 1 night
Hiked in Friday morning on an un maintained trail in search of solitude and fish. We found the solitude but the fish were elusive. These lakes are certainly off the beaten path. We stumbled on Darlene lake by accident after losing the trail on the way in and wandering a bit. Our primary destination was Peggy lake but by the time we got to Darlene we were pooped and decided to set up camp and try our luck there. There was only one very primitive site w/ no evidence of man at the lake in some time. Great time, perfect weather! The hi light was being awakened at 4am w/ an elk near camp, barking. We did find Peggy lake on the hike out and there appears to be no developed camp sites at all near the lake. If fishing is a strong motivation, you're best to visit the lakes closer to the main trails as they are stocked w/ some regularity.
September 15 – September 16, 2012
2
Twin lakes
4 miles of hiking • 250' elevation gain • 1 night
Relatively close to home so we decided to beat the heat and head to the Twin lakes for the night to swim and fish. Arrived Thursday and was set up in our lake side site by 1. Expected to see more people, it being so hot, but, we had the entire lake to ourselves w/ the exception of a few day hikers. With our strong desire to hit the water we forgot our poles in the trunk. So much for the fishing part but that's ok because the lake was AWESOME! No place I'd rather be on a 90* day than swimming in a mtn lake w/ my two younger kids.
August 16 – August 17, 2012
Chindere mtn / Whatum lake
4 miles of hiking • 1500' elevation gain •
Zach and I did the short drive from the hood to Whatum lk for the day. Perfect hiking weather. Got there relatively early, about 6 vehicles there. Unlike Lost lake, that you'll find advertised on a zillion post cards, Whatum is deserted by comparison. (having to hike down 400 steps to the lk is a deterent too for a lot of folk.
Hiked around the lake, did Chindere peak, back down for a dip in the lk and bit of fishing. I think I've made it my mission to swim every lk I lisit this year unless weather is really aweful.
July 21, 2012
1
Another Dog Mtn
6 miles of hiking • 3000' elevation gain •
Another Dog Mtn hike report. Beautiful day for hiking. Looped it, up the dog mtn trail, down asgspurger. Roughly 5 hours of hiking which we felt, Zacharoo and I, pretty good about as this was our most challenging hike to date. (we're getting ready for ya kyle) Awesome views of the gorge, east and west. What a wonderful place we live in, yes? Left my trekking poles in the car, mistake! Although the west side that we took down is less steep, my old man knee's could of used a bit of support. We got passed by a few hikers on the way up, we takes breaks, lots of 'em. One guy, looked to be 70-75 trucked on by, we were impressed, we were...and we were about to be amazed. We're on the way down, about half way, feeling pretty proud of ourselves, as the same 'old guy' comes strolling UP the trail...Yet, he was up once, back down abd was headed back up! I tried to get him to stop so we could see if he was real or a robot but all he said was, "hey, gotta keep the flab off somehow" and kept on going. I think Zack and I talked about him the rest of the way down. Am I giving this guy too much glory? Maybe we're too easily impressed, OR, that out of shape? Nah, this guy was an animal! Well,whatever but, if I'm in half as good shape at that age, I'll be happy.
July 6, 2012
1
Eagle Creek trail
4 miles of hiking • 500' elevation gain •
Humid day on the trail. Easy hike, beautiful scenery. I see why this is listed as one of the most popular hikes in Oregon, the area is lush, beautiful river w/ some great fishing spots. But, w/ popularity come the crowds and man was it crowded! Better to do on a week-day if possible.
June 30, 2012
