Mirror Lake 20 July 2012

Jean and I had been trying to hike to East Zigzag forever.  So this was finally the day and we set out.  First off, I forgot my rain coat - really I didn't forget, I just didn't think it would rain.  It had been so nice!.  Then we got a little turned around by taking the wrong road here and there.  We ended up getting to our turn off 3 hrs instead of 2 hr after leaving Keizer.  When we started up the road to East Zigzag it became very horrible in short order.  In fact after 30 min and 1 mile into it, we bailed, found a spot to turn around (which wasn't easy) and headed back down.  We opted to hike Mirror Lake which was just a few more miles up Hwy 26.
When we got there it was still pretty socked in with clouds.  Then it started raining.  We had stopped at a shop in Rhododendron to get me a poncho, so at least I had that.  The forest was pretty but there were not many flowers.  The vanilla leaf was blooming.  When we got to the lake, we didn't even know it because we couldn't see it.  I am posting a photo of it as we first saw it.  We hiked around the lake, and saw, amazingly, people camping and hiking, then tried to find the trail to Tom Dick and Harry Mountain.  The trail had been behind us (I remembered a cobweb so I knew we were going in circles) so we backtracked.  We got up to the top and it sort of looked like it would break up, so we ate our lunch and chatted with a couple from Philly, PA.  No clearing though...but it had stopped raining.  Hiked back to Mirror Lake hoping it would clear up - it did enough to see the little lake.  We will have to go back when it is a clear day.  It was an easy 6.4 mile hike with 1500 ft gain.

Our first view of the lake and Mt Hood???

On top Tom, Dick and Harry Mtn

Paintbrush

Some wildflowers on a rocky hillside

Mirror Lake

Sahalie Falls and Clear Lake 13 July 2012

Sahalie and Koosah Falls are right off of Hwy 126.  Sahalie is steps from the carpark.  We (Sylvia and Brigette) walked in and out instead of doing the loop because we also intended to see Clear Lake.  You could combine the two hikes and make them about 9 miles total.  We were at Sahalie Falls early enough that there were very few people about.  Clear Lake is nearby, a very cold clear little lake that is the home of the spring spewing out 38 degree water.  A volcanic lava flow dammed up the McKenzie River and formed this 100 ft deep lake.  It looks so shallow because you can see the snags laying all the way at the bottom!  People were fishing for trout and catching them too.  Cabins and camping spots lined the shore of this peaceful place.  The walk around the lake is easy and pretty.  In the fall, the vine maples against the blue lake and black lava rock will be stunning.

Sahalie Falls

McKenzie River

Clear Lake

One of the Sisters over Clear Lake

Great Spring

Candy Stick

Patjens Lakes 6 July 2012

Patjens Lakes is in the Mt Washington wilderness area off of Hwy 20 near the Santiam Pass.  Most of the hike is through burnt forest and you can glimpse the tops of Mt Jefferson, Three Fingered Jack, Mt Washington, the three Sisters...here and there.  When you do come in to the forest, it is lush and pretty - but kind of mosquito-y.  The view of Mt Washington from Big Lake is nice - and you could drive right up to it.  Big Lake allows motor boats so once you get near that area, it is pretty civilized.

One of the smaller of the Patjens Lakes

Hayrick Butte

Mt Washington and Big Lake

Mt Washington from campsite #2

One of the Patjens Lakes

From campsite #2

Drift Creek Falls 29 June 2012

Well, this summer I was (am) determined to hike every Friday.  I count Fridays from the week of 15 June when school was out.  I missed 22 June because I was in San Diego.  Now I am back on track.
This hike takes you to a waterfall in the coastal range near Lincoln City.  The hike is an easy 3 mile RT hike but the hard part is getting there.  It is over 10 miles back into the woods on a narrow twisty road.  Most of it is paved, but still.
The hike is nondescript except for the fabulous water fall and suspension bridge.  A nice family hike.  I added on a walk at Road's End beach in Lincoln City at the end.