01
Jan
2017
jloomis

New Years Eve Snow Camping at Little John Sno-Park, Oregon

Katie, Julian, and I decided to spend New Years Eve snow camping at Little John Sno-Park. Julian wasn't interested in snowmobiling this trip, so we left the big sleds at home. Little John Sno-Park is a low elevation sno-park (3,300') just of hwy 35 between Mt Hood Meadows and Parkdale

The temperature was in the low teens when we arrived with sunny skies. Perfect conditions for snow camping. There were a couple other people camping in the parking lot with truck bed tents. We found a nice spot a short walk from the parking lot in the trees to set up our tent.

Our Mini-Adventurer peaking out of the snow tent     Katie and Julian warm inside the tent

After setting up camp and getting warm, we went off for a short hike. Katie pulled Julian on his sled while I skied. This was the first time I have been on skis in years (since my snowmobile accident that messed up my knee). My knee has been feeling better this past year, so I am thinking of getting back into skiing and climbing soon.

Julian doing some digging in the snow     Julian sledding and me skiing

We had a fun time in the snow. It was nice to get out and enjoy the beautiful winter we are having this season. Julian enjoyed sledding a down a couple hills we found on our hike.

Julian and Katie posing in the snow     Katie and Julian snuggling on the bunk bed couch

The new cot we got for Julian worked great. It doesn't take up any more room than necessary and all three of us fit comfortably in our tent. It's a great setup.

Julian loving his new cot & sleeping bag

Little John Sno-Park was extremely busy during the day, but almost everyone cleared out shortly after dark. We went to bed early and I awoke around midnight to a couple fireworks and falling snow. By morning there was 6-8 inches of fresh snow on the ground. After we packed up it started to clear up into another beautiful day.

Gear List

Echo CS-271T chainsaw
Fiskars 28 in. Splitting Axe
Kel-Tec P-3AT .380 Auto
Kni-Co Alaskan Jr Camp Wood Stove
Eskimo FatFish 6120i Pop-UP Shelter
High Peak Alpinismo Arete Mummy Bag
Marmot Lithium MemBrain 0F Sleeping Bag
Therm-A-rest Explorer Self-Inflating Mattress
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Mattress
Disc-O-Bed Cam-O-Bunk Portable Bunk Bed Cots
Regalo My Cot Deluxe with Sleeping Bag
GCI Outdoor Quik-E-Seats
Suboos Gen 2 Ultimate LED Tent Lantern
HMK Summit V16 Pack
GMAX GM76X Helmet
Smith Phenom Turbo Fan Goggles
Columbia Men’s Bugaboot Max Electric Boots
HMK Hustler 2 Snowmobile Pants
Columbia Titanium Hightail II Softshell Jacket
HMK Cascade Snowmobile Jacket
Columbia Powerfly Down Puff Jacket
Head Digital Sport Liner Gloves
Outdoor Research Ambit Gloves
Columbia Men's Fast Trek Fleece Hat
Balaclava
HighGear ATF8 Altimeter
Petzl TIKKA XP 2 Headlamp
Olympus Tough TG-1 Camera
Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility Snow Shovel
Fiskars POWER TOOTH Softgrip 10" Folding Saw
First Aid Kit
SPOT Gen3
Samsung Galaxy S6 Active w/BackCountry Navigator
Suunto A-10 Compass

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