Snow camping near Frog Lake Buttes, Oregon

I wanted to take advantage of the snow while it's around, so I planned a snow camping trip with my friend John. I had Friday after New Years off, so I went up alone and spent the day scouting out a spot and setting up camp for the weekend. I had to make two trips pulling gear behind my snowmobile since I was alone. I found a secluded spot just below Frog Lake Buttes (right above Green Lake). The weather was pleasant Friday and the snow still deep up higher.

On Saturday John and I left town just before the main ski resort rush and arrived at Frog Lake SnoPark to find plenty of parking. It was partly sunny with a temperature just below freezing.

   

We rode the 9 miles to where I had setup camp the day before to find everything still in place as I had left it. There was a light dusting of snow which quickly melted off the canvas tent after we started a fire in the wood stove.

We went on a short snowmobile ride later Saturday, but spent much of the day relaxing, playing cards, and enjoying the beautiful snowy landscape.

   

On Sunday we awoke to much different weather. It was snowing (very wet snow) and a little breezy. We didn't stick around long to wait for the snow to turn to rain. After a quick breakfast we packed everything up on the gear sleds and rode back to Frog Lake. By the time we had the truck loaded up it began to rain. Our timing was perfect. It's unfortunate it started to rain Sunday, but at least we made it out for a fun snow camping trip.

Gear List

2014 Polaris 800 Pro RMK Snowmobile
2013 Polaris 800 Switchback Assault Snowmobile
Pelican Snow Trek Sport 75 Utility Sled
Pelican Snow Trek 60 Gear Sleds
Echo CS-271T chainsaw
Fiskars 28 in. Splitting Axe
Kel-Tec P-3AT .380 Auto
Guide Gear Canvas 10x10' Lodge Tent
Four Dog STove Co. Two Dog DX Camp Stove
Alpinizmo by High Peak USA Latitude -5 Sleeping Bag
Earth Products Jamboree Military Style Aluminum Camping Cots
GCI Outdoor Quik-E-Seats
Century Mighty Lite Single Mantle 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
First Aid Kit
SPOT Gen3
Samsung Galaxy S5 w/BackCountry Navigator
Suunto A-10 Compass