Backpacking in Oregon ...

For several months now Mark had been determined to take his boys on a backpack trip in Oregon. Late in the game (in fact, after arrival in Oregon) the decision was made to hike in the Three Sisters Wilderness area out of Sisters, OR -- and, to climb Middle Sister if possible.

Tasha was able to accompany Mark and the boys, so they left early on Friday, Aug. 17th and hiked from the Pole Ck. Trailhead to a campsite at Demaris Lake, and then on to Camp Lake on Saturday night. The climb of Middle Sister was a challenge and a slog over boulders and up scree slopes. But, the group of 5 made it to the summit on Sunday, the 19th.

On the hike the group had the chance to "play in the snow" and slide down some fairly steep slopes with mixed results! At the campsite at Camp Lake -- a high altitude lake surrounded by snowfields even in mid August -- the boys ventured into the water for a swim. With the climb to the summit (10,054 ft.) completed on Sunday, the group returned to their campsite at Camp Lake and then hiked back to the trailhead on Monday, drove to Sisters for hamburgers and shakes, and then drove the 2 hours+ back to Keizer well before dark! - rw