Loomis Adventures

After snowshoeing around Trillium Lake on Sunday, Katie and I decided to hike to the top of Mud Creek Ridge (SE of Trillium Lake). According to my map, the easiest approach is from the North with a gradual climb to the summit at 4,368 feet in elevation. The round-trip climb is less than two miles.

After the howling winds and rains last night, this morning was calm and dry. The storm finally brought a little fresh snow to the mountains. We took advantage of the weather break and headed to Trillium Lake SnoPark for a day of snowshoeing. There were a few other cars in the lot by 8 AM (most left overnight), but it wasn't busy yet. The temperature was just below freezing and rising as the sun was peeking out. We planned to snowshoe down to Trillium Lake and then loop around the lake before heading back for a total distance of 5 miles.

It continues to feels like spring in the middle of winter with warm temperatures and rain in the mountains. On Sunday, Katie and I decided to brave the wet conditions and head to Barlow Pass SnoPark for a full day of snowshoeing. I wanted to try the Barlow Butte Trail #670 and Katie eagerly agreed. If only she knew what she was getting herself into! I failed to mention the trail listed a difficulty rating of "Expert/Strenuous".

Instead of snowshoeing on Mount Hood today (due to poor weather), I decided to go sturgeon fishing with my friend John. Experts claim White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) numbers have been declining, so fishing is currently catch-and-release only. No fish for the table this trip. We launched John's North River boat at Meldrum Bar just as it was getting light. We saw a few other boats set on trying to catch one of the first few salmon in the Willamette River. Lucky for us, it was not crowded and we had most of the river to ourselves.

We left for White River SnoPark (off Hwy 35) before sunrise, hoping to beat the crowds of sledders and other snowshoers. Our plan was to hike up the Boy Scout Ridge trail above White River Canyon on the slopes of Mount Hood. The trail gains about 1,800 feet elevation over 2.5 miles. When we arrived, there were only 9 other vehicles in the parking lot and several had been there overnight. The temperature was about 30°F with a light breeze and low clouds. We were hoping the clouds would clear, so we could catch a glimpse of Mount Hood.

Today was a gorgeous winter day in Portland, Oregon. It felt like spring with the sun shining and temperature above 50°F. Katie managed to get off work early, so we decided to go on an impromptu adventure up to White River SnoPark on Mount Hood. We left a quarter after three hoping to make it before sunset at 5:09 PM. With light traffic, we arrived at the SnoPark at 4:30 PM.

With our recent warm weather and torrential rains, the snowpack has receded from the lower elevations in Northern Oregon. Instead of snow camping, my friends Tyler, John, and I decided to go car camping to Shellrock Creek Campground where there had been over a foot of snow just two weeks prior. Shellrock Creek Campground is on the lower portion of Shellrock Creek, which flows into the Oak Grove fork of the Clackamas River. We arrived early Saturday morning and found we would have the campground to ourselves. There were still patches of snow, but alot had melted.