Snow at Last! Snowmobiling with the family at Frog Lake

It has been a while since our last adventure. We gave up our search for a house and instead decided to have a new home built. Before construction started in September, we sold our old house and moved in with Katie's parents. We were hoping to be in our new home by Christmas, but it's looking like it won't be finished until the end of January. Most of my free time has been spent at the new house, but we finally managed to plan a quick trip up to the mountain.

It has been a slow start to winter, but there is finally enough snow to snowmobile (at least for now). I have been eager to go and convinced Katie to come along with our Mini-Adventurer and Grandma (Katie's mom). This was Grandma's first time snowmobiling since she was in her 20's.

The ski resorts have not opened yet, so traffic was not bad up to Frog Lake SnoPark Southeast of Government Camp on Mt Hood. We arrived to find about a foot of snow on the ground and several other snowmobilers. I unloaded our Polaris snowmobiles while everyone else got ready. We put Grandma and our Mini-Adventurer in a sled towed behind my snowmobile while Katie rode the other snowmobile.

   

We rode a short way up the trail and stopped to play in the snow. Everyone had a great time enjoying the beautiful day. It started out partly sunny and calm before the clouds rolled in later in the day.

   

We rode back to the SnoPark and Katie stayed behind with our Mini-Adventurer while I took Grandma for a ride. She rode my sled while I rode the Pro RMK. She was timid at first, but started to get the hang of it. I am sure riding a newer sled felt much different than she remembered as a girl.

After the ride with Grandma, I took a quick ride by myself up to Frog Lake Buttes. There was a lot more snow up top, a couple feet, and all the trees were blanketed. I can't wait until we get a few good storms. Hopefully it happens soon.

Gear List

2014 Polaris 800 Pro RMK Snowmobile
2013 Polaris 800 Switchback Assault Snowmobile
Pelican Snow Trek Sport 75 Utility Sled
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
Petzl TIKKA XP 2 Headlamp
Olympus Tough TG-1 Camera
Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility Snow Shovel
First Aid Kit
Samsung Galaxy S5 w/BackCountry Navigator
Suunto A-10 Compass