Pamelia, Hunts & Hanks Lakes

Wow. Really, wow. No words can really say how beautiful these places are. I hope a few photos interspersed with words do it justice.

We left ~5 on Fri Aug 7 and made it to the campsite ~8. Just enough time to setup the tents and have a bite to eat. It's only 2.3 miles from the trailhead to Pamelia. Easy peasy.

Saturday we left Pamelia ~11am and made it to Hanks Lake ~1pm. The hike is moderate, not easy, not too, too hard. It's ~3 miles but well worth the effort. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. On the way there we crossed several streams (!!!)

And we got a couple of shots of Pamelia, open high meadows and Mt Jefferson

On the way there we saw a bobcat about 150 yds away. Crossing one of the rock slides. Cool.

Once there we scouted around, sat and stared in awe! We saw toads w/ orange bellies and spots *all over*. Wildflowers everywhere! What an amazing sights the sub-alpine zone provides!

I'd go back anytime! Here's a link to a few more pics at Picasa...

Backpacking 8/7-8/9/09

Willamette Falls @ Oregon City

Taken while shad fishing (not catching).

Patjens Lake

On Sept 1st we hiked into Patjens. A series of 4 ponds/lakes. The water was a bit low, but its late in the season.

This is a good place to find out more



Rio was happy to go and the kids had a great time. We found a bright green frog and a baby (~4 inch long) garter snake. We also found some leeches (by turning over rocks not the 'traditional' way, thank goodness!)

About a 5 mile loop from Big Lake (near Hoodoo Ski) and close to Mt Washington. There was a forest fire burning closeby.