Backcountry Camping Time

An almost week away was amazing, and we traveled from the city to the woods to the mountains to the desert badlands to the coast and back to the city. We saw several friends, spent time with family on both sides, and became incredibly reacquainted with nature. The dogs had a blast and hub and I returned back home today with smiles from ear to ear. A great week indeed.

First day we arrived at our location in Central Oregon about 2pm and backpacked 9 miles up the trail until we hit snow prior to our desired camp location for the night. Hiked 3 miles back down the trail until we found the good spot we remembered passing and hub set up the tent and made us and the dogs some grub. It'd taken a while for me to get used to carrying a larger and heavier backpack and after 12 miles in about six hours, we were more than ready to get into bed.

Morning two we headed the six or so miles back down to where we'd left the truck. Going down never takes as long as going up, especially when its in the 30s and the faster one walks, the faster one warms! ;) It was great to sit alongside the creek where we'd started and wash my feet to put on a different pair of socks and comfy shoes.

 Along the trail we saw vibrant green moss, lizards, elk and bear hair, flowering bushes, chipmunks, and the occasional flash of a bird.

 Once we were ready to move on, we drove up to the top where there was too much snow for us to hike, and came to Paulina Lake.

 The dogs had a great time playing in the snow again.

 A view from along the road up near the top of this section.

We hope to get back there later this summer when the snow has retreated as it'd make a great 2-3 day backcountry camping trip. It's about 10 miles up to the first lake and then there's a 20 mile rim trail along the edge of the crater and lava fields. Hopefully we'll at least get back to see the obsidian flow area once the snow has melted.

More pictures from the rest of the week to come tomorrow......