First snowmobile ride of 2017/18 season - Lookout Mountain, Oregon

It's nice to see some early season snow this year. Hopefully it will be another good winter. I was busy with projects around the house last season, so I didn't get to enjoy the snow as much as I would have liked.

My friend Kyle went snow camping this weekend up near Lookout Mountain, so I decided to go up for the day. I was by myself, so I loaded one of my snowmobiles on my truck and left the trailer at home. Kyle had texted me Friday saying there was over a foot of snow up at 6,000 feet where they setup camp. I wasn't sure if I would be able to drive all the way up,
but I managed to make it just fine. They had done a good job packing the snow down with all their trucks.

   

After visiting with Kyle and his family (it was a guys snow camping trip with three generations present), I went on a short snowmobile ride since I was solo. I rode around Lookout Mountain up above Jean and Badger Lake. There was tons of powder. It had been windy and I turned around as the snow drifts became deeper and steeper. I didn't want to get stuck today without anyone around to help.

   

It was a beautiful day with alternating clouds/fog and sun breaks. I hope this is a sign of more great snow to come.

2017/18 Mileage

Trip: 8 miles
Season: 8 miles
Total Days: 1

2016/17 Season: 239 miles, 8 days

2015/16 Season: 408 miles, 15 days

Gear List

2014 Polaris 800 Pro RMK Snowmobile
2013 Polaris 800 Switchback Assault Snowmobile
Up North Technologies PRO SERIES Snowmobile Cargo Rack
P-700-B Low Profile Powder Keg
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
Fiskars POWER TOOTH Softgrip 10" Folding Saw
Kel-Tec P-3AT .380 Auto
First Aid Kit
SPOT Gen3
Samsung Galaxy S6 Active w/BackCountry Navigator
Suunto A-10 Compass