May 2012 Archive

26
May
2012
jloomis

Square Lake and Booth Lake - Mt Jefferson Wilderness, Oregon

Three Fingered Jack Above Booth Lake

Memorial Day Weekend traditionally kicks off the camping season for many across the country. Growing up, my family always spent a full week at Yosemite National Park camping and enjoying the outdoors. While I always had a great time, I prefer to get away from the crowds these days. This year Katie and I planned a backpacking trip into the Jefferson Wilderness. Our plan was to hike a few miles up the Summit Lake Trail # 4014 from the Pacific Crest Trail off Hwy 20 just South of Three Fingered Jack.

20
May
2012
jloomis

Ski Mountaineering Middle Sister, Oregon

Marmot Alpinist Tent at Base of Middle Sister, Oregon

On Saturday morning Matt, Louis, and I drove to Pole Creek Trailhead for a weekend of ski mountaineering in the Three Sisters Wilderness and hopefully a summit of Middle Sister. Middle Sister (10,047') is the shortest of the Three Sisters, located in Central Oregon. The Hayden Glacier North Ridge route starts from Pole Creek Trailhead near Sisters, Oregon. It's about 14 miles round-trip, so it makes a nice overnighter or a very long day trip. The trek starts off on Pole Creek Trail # 4072 and then follows Camp Lake Trail # 4074 before heading above treeline West toward Middle Sister.

14
May
2012
jloomis

Hillsound Trail Crampon Review

Product Rating: 
5
Hillsound Trail Crampons

Features:

The Hillsound Trail Crampon is guaranteed to handle diverse winter terrain and extreme weather conditions. It features a flexible foot plate and come in five different sizes to accommodate feet from women's size 5 to men's size 15. The lightweight design of the Hillsound Trail Crampon allows a snug fit that won't move around or cause foot cramping. The elastomer harness is very pliable and can withstand temperatures down to -76°F (-60°C).

12
May
2012
jloomis

Pamelia Lake and Grizzly Peak - Mt Jefferson Wilderness, Oregon

Jason and Katie on Grizzly Peak with Mt Jefferson in the Background

Katie and I spent the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend hiking in the Jefferson Wilderness to Pamelia Lake and Grizzly Peak. It is still early season and we expected to encounter snow, so we packed accordingly. The weather was forecasted to be sunny and warm.

The Pamelia trailhead is approximately 62 miles East of Salem on Hwy 22 past Detroit Lake. The trailhead is off Forest Service road 2246 just past milepost 62 on the left. The parking lot is about 3.7 miles down the road (paved, but bumpy most of the way). There is an outhouse at the trailhead.

09
May
2012
jloomis

Marmot Alpinist 2P Expedition Tent Review

Product Rating: 
4
Marmot Alpinist 2P Expedition Tent

Features:

From Marmot, "A weatherproof single wall, a strong and unique pole structure and attached vestibule make the lightweight Alpinist an ideal choice for high-end mountaineering or lightweight crest-trail cruises."

06
May
2012
kloomis

Saddle Mountain Hike - North Coast Range, Oregon

Saddle Mountain, Oregon

After a long, wet few months, we finally had enough sun and dry weather to enjoy our first spring hike on Sunday. We decided to venture to Saddle Mountain State Park in the Oregon Coast Range. The trailhead to Saddle Mountain is located 7 miles off Hwy 26 in Northwestern Oregon. The turnoff to Saddle Mountain State Park Road is on the North side of Hwy 26, between mileposts 10 and 11. This out-and-back hike covers approximately 4 total miles (according to Jason’s GPS) and gains approximately 1600’ elevation.

02
May
2012
jloomis

The North Face Nuptse Bootie III Review

Product Rating: 
4
The North Face Nuptse Bootie III

Features:

From The North Face, "Quite possibly the warmest and most comfortable slip-on bootie on the planet, this 700 fill power down insulated bootie can withstand winter tromps at Everest Base Camp, and anywhere else. Ice Pick™ temperature-sensitive rubber pods on sole work to stiffen when temperature drops, providing secure footing with each dropping degree."