20
Dec
2015
jloomis

Frog Lake to Rock Creek Reservoir Snowmobile Adventure

After a fun day snowmobiling yesterday, my friend Ryan and I headed to Frog Lake SnoPark today to ride. We were the first ones in the parking lot around 7:15 AM besides two cars that had been there overnight. It was about 28°F and dumping snow.

It was a little darker than usual because it was snowing so hard, so we took our time getting ready and unloading the snowmobiles. Soon enough we were off riding down the trail. Just before the turn off to Frog Lake campground we saw a white Ford super duty truck stuck in the snow. They had illegally driven on the road (closed to wheeled vehicles over 48") in the middle of the night. I snapped a photo of the license plate and texted the local law enforcement officer. He replied he would be on his way to cite the guy. I hope people will eventually figure it out. There have been way too many trucks on the closed roads this year wreaking havoc on our trails.

Snowmobiling near Frog Lake     Taking a snowmobiling break

The snow was deep and the ruts almost as deep as we snowmobiled on FS road 48 toward Rock Creek Reservoir. At one point there had to have been nearly 4 feet of snow with ruts over 2 feet deep. It made snowmobiling challenging to say the least.

Tons of snow around fs road 48     Forest Service road 48 in the snow

As we neared Rock Creek Reservoir, the snow depth lessened to about 8 inches and it stopped snowing. We parked the snowmobiles just before the turn off to Rock Creek campground and walked the rest of the way (they plow the road past this point, so you can't ride snowmobiles). This was the first time I have been able to snowmobile all the way to Rock Creek. Most winters there is not enough snow. I was neat seeing the lake partially frozen and covered in snow.

Rock Creek Reservoir covered in snow     Rock Creek Reservoir in the winter

On our way back we looped around to visit Frog Lake. It was dumping snow again, but the temperature was closer to 32°F now. No more dry snow, but back to our normal wet snow. At least it was still snowing. This could end up being one of our best snow years in the lower elevations.

Frog Lake covered in snow     Ryan taking pictures at Frog Lake

The Ford truck was still stuck when we returned. The driver will likely be cited and then charged a couple grand to get his vehicle towed out with the Mt Hood Snowmobile Club's groomer or some other piece of equipment. Hopefully he learned his lesson and it will be one he will pass on to others.

2015/16 Mileage

Trip: 49 miles
Season: 209 miles
Total Days: 4

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
Echo CS-271T chainsaw
HMK Summit V16 Pack
GMAX GM76X Helmet
Smith Phenom Turbo Fan Goggles
Columbia Men’s Bugaboot Plus III Titanium Omni-Heat 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
Sony HDR-AS200V ActionCam
Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility Snow Shovel
Fiskars POWER TOOTH Softgrip 10" Folding Saw
First Aid Kit
SPOT Gen3
Samsung Galaxy S6 Active w/BackCountry Navigator
Suunto A-10 Compass

Category: 

Post new comment

Disclaimer: You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards of backcountry travel and taking the necessary precautions. Loomis Adventures may not be held liable.