Family Snow Day 2014 - Frog Lake, Oregon

We hosted our second annual family snow day on Sunday. Our relatives from San Diego flew up for the holiday weekend and a fun time in the snow. Until a week ago we were worried we might not have any snow near Frog Lake, but mother nature cooperated. It rained the day before, but Sunday turned out to be perfect.

Katie, our mini adventurer and I left our home just after 6 AM Sunday morning with a truckload of gear and towing our snowmobiles. We arrived at Frog Lake Sno-Park (about 7 miles SE of Government Camp, Oregon) just after 7:30 AM to a completely empty parking lot, 28°F, and 2-3 inches of fresh snow. It was near whiteout conditions on our drive up, but the snow and wind let up once we arrived.

While Katie was attending to Julian, I set off down the trail pulling a sled full of gear behind my snowmobile. I set up our tent and started a fire in the wood stove, so we would be ready for everyone's arrival. Katie made the half mile walk carrying Julian all bundled up in his snowsuit. They jumped into the sled and I towed them back to the snopark to grab another load of gear.

Soon our family arrived and we shuttled gear and people to the tent. There were 15 of us in all (same total number as last year). Before long, everyone one was having a great time enjoying the snow. Grandpa (who just turned 85) was one of the first ones on the sledding hill!

   

We gave people snowmobile rides throughout the day. Several riders quickly learned that speed is your friend when trying to maneuver a snowmobile.

   

The weather remained great all day with a couple short snow showers between sun breaks.

   

   

Everyone had a great time. Our mini adventurer was fussy at times since he didn't nap due to all the excitement. I am sure he will have a better time next year once he is mobile. My sister's daughter Brooklyn was very cooperative for photos, smiling in nearly every one. We had no injuries and only a few cold feet. Lots of great family fun.

   

Gear List

2002 Polaris 500 RMK Snowmobile
2013 Polaris 800 Switchback Assault Snowmobile
2014 Polaris 800 Pro RMK Snowmobile
Pelican Snow Trek Sport 75 Utility Sled
Costco Aluminum Instant 10' x 10' Canopy with Sidewalls
Kni-Co Alaskan Jr Camp Wood Stove
Dream On Me Karley Bassinet (w/1" R-5 foam insulation added)
Mac Sports Padded Tripod Chairs with Cup Holder
HMK Summit V16 Pack
GMAX GM76X Helmet
Smith Phenom Turbo Fan Goggles
Columbia Men’s Bugaboot Max Electric Boots
Columbia Men's Echochrome Ski Pants
Columbia Titanium Hightail II Softshell Jacket
Columbia Triple Trail Shell 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
Sony NEX-6 Camera w/16-50mm lens
Sony Action Cam HDR-AS30V
Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility Snow Shovel
First Aid Kit
iPhone w/NeoTreksGPS
Suunto A-10 Compass