Autumn at Shellrock Creek Campground, Oregon

It seems like forever since Katie and I have been camping together, but it was just last month. We decided to hitch up our travel trailer and head to Shellrock Creek Campground on Friday after work. Our friend John had the day off and was already there when we arrived. Shellrock Creek Campground is located near the mouth of Shellrock Creek, which flows into the Oak Grove fork of the Clackamas River. It's about 33 miles SE of Estacada off FR 58 (near Timothy Lake). It's a primitive campground with only 8 sites and no running water.

It was pouring rain and just getting dark as we pulled into the campground. I backed the trailer into our spot and before long, we were all inside watching a movie and enjoying oven-baked pizza. Katie even treated us to freshly baked chocolate chip cookies while we watched a second movie before going to bed.

Fortunately the rain stopped overnight and we awoke to a beautiful sunny (but cold) morning on Saturday. We warmed up around our campfire and explored the empty campground after breakfast.

   

Shellrock Creek was rushing past the campground as usual on it's way to the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River. The deciduous trees were in full Fall colors with bright yellow leaves all over the forest floor. Mushrooms sprang up like wildflowers in the spring.

   

We spent the day alternating between relaxing and splitting firewood to keep the fire going. It stayed dry all day and we again enjoyed a movie inside the trailer after enjoying barbequed chicken for dinner.

   

We awoke Sunday to light rain and decided to pack up and leave shortly after breakfast. At least Saturday was dry. This will probably be our last trip of the year on dirt before the winter snows come.