Friday I made a choice of a backpack trip into the MT Jefferson Wilderness north of Santiam Pass. I envisioned hiking into 8 Lakes Basin going north. New Oboz boots felt comfortable on my feet. Forecast for Bend had no rain. I parked in the PCT TH parking lot. I noticed broken window glass, a fresh one and several older breakins. I wanted to do this hike and this was the place to park. Gritted my teeth and smoked a bowl and checked the locks once more. The trail started on the PCT where several gallon water jugs were placed at the trail marker, Trail Angels prolly. Trail went thru the B & B fire from 2003
Trail tread was like beach sand in the burn and even in the unburned. Pleasant day. My route was an out and back which makes the out want to be shorter because I was just going to be hiking back on same trail. I hiked to Santiam Lake and called it good. I wanted to spend the time in the backcountry and this lake was a good spot only 4 mikes in.
There were 2 mtn goats on the scree just 2 white dots that moved.
Clouds seemed to want rain. Close to full moon. I almost elected to sleep under the stars for the moonlight. I sat in my thermo rest neo air chair reading until can’t see then moved inside the tent. The neo air is 6′ long, too long for the chair, the left over is folded under which raises my butt and pressed my head into the ceiling of the tent. I read till 10 bending my neck. I should check out the new chair to see how it controls the 6′ mattress.
Chilly night. I don’t sleep well. Crawling in and out of the tent is a bitch as I am no longer very nimble. I woke @ 7. I zipped open the fly and stuck my head out. Overcast.
I slipped into my knickers, 100% wool Lands End pleated, and socks into hard to get into boots and crawled out. I turned 2 making cowboy coffee and oatmeal. I made a 2nd cup. My enjoyment was cut short as mist started falling, then sprinkles, then rain. I was getting wet standing around. By the time I took down my tent it was covered in rain and I rolled it up wet. I packed my stuff up. I wore rain pants and my new parka, made a last look around
I hiked a ways in the rain which lessened as I headed back south. I stopped to take off the rain pants.
I passed several hikers heading in. Back at the more crowded parking lot my van had all its glass and the bike was still attached. Relief.
I drove over to a lodge that was a church camp where I stayed for 2 nights while I was hiking the PCT. Prolly a CCC building.
Sun was shining to the east. I stopped at a fire display.
In Sisters there is the Sisters Trail System aka Peterson Ridge. I stopped and rode the system. Fun. Way more basalt challenges than some of Phils trails. Seat down and carving the turns. Tight trees. I steered between them as I pulled my shoulders in and cringed in case. Gap must be about 40 inches as my 30 inch bars clear
Back in Bend a shower then beers and dinner at 10 Barrel. then out to camp spot.
This AM it was 29 degrees and the furnace worked all night. Nice waking up and the inside temp is 59 but livable.
I have spread my backpacking stuff out in the sunshine to dry.
Will prolly get in a ride this afternoon.