Trip Report

Camp Ross III
Howard Prairie Lake, Oregon
August 3–10, 1985
Impressions of Apserkaha by Lois Schreiner

Location:
Apserkaha Campground, Howard Prairie Lake, Oregon
(NAD27) 42° 12' 12" North, 122° 23' 5" West
UTM Zone 10, 550700 easting 4672300 northing
Elevation: 4550 ft. (1390 m)


Impressions of Apserkaha
Chief Apserkaha chose a most delightful prairie to conduct his trading business during the mid-1850s. At least it would appear so even though much of the area is now covered by Howard Prairie Reservoir. 1985 Obsidian summer campers enjoyed their week’s stay in the area where they “traded” stories among other things. Altogether, 76 people (but not all at the same time) experienced Camp Ross—seems people were coming and going all week, only being able to spend a few days in this Southern Oregon clime. This year there were more children than usual, which added spice to the experience.

Many campers pitched tents all over the hillside while others opted to bunk in the three-sided shelters. All were nestled in the giant trees (some beautiful, stately Ponderosa pine) from lakeside up hill to cook and dining shelter—we even had electric lights in the eating area. And, again this year we had Bea’s famous baths which we all enjoyed after coming off the hot and dusty trails. The sun shown every day so the solar “water heaters” worked well. We had running well water various spots around camp, which was most convenient. The restroom facilities were permanent one-holers with the usual aroma—sometimes more odiferous than others. All in all we were somewhat spoiled with all the modern conveniences—not the usual Summer Camp experience.

Everyone obeyed the directive “Not to arrive before 5 p.m. on Saturday”, but then things began happening very fast as camper after camper arrived one right after the other—some in cars, some in trucks, some with trailers, and others in motorized campers. Several people brought boats of various descriptions and enjoyed using them on the lovely lake throughout the week.

The first morning we all anxiously awaited the wholesome breakfast prepared by Selma, Margit and others of the camp crew and, while waiting, quickly packed our lunches with the noon day fixin’s set out before breakfast. We were not disappointed with the fare and knew that the rest of the week would bring us more delicious breakfasts and outstanding dinners. There was hot cereal every morning topped with a different fruit each day, then some days pancakes or French toast appeared on the menu or scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage with the usual coffee, tea or hot chocolate. There was just about anything you might ever want to eat (within reason, of course).

The first night we had the usual delicious stew, on another, fried chicken, then mouth-watering Mexican casserole remembered from last year, a steak dinner, and last but not least, Lasagna. Salads were out of this world—tossed, layered, . . . ., and we enjoyed oven-hot biscuits and rolls at various meals, too. Of course, the highlight that we always wait for—lemon merangue pie, but the other desserts were outstanding too, such as upside down cake, blueberry-apple crisp, and the last night there was ice cream—vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.

Lunches were of the sack variety with lots of fixin’s for sandwiches on various kinds of healthful breads. There were two kinds of cheese, sliced beef, ham and turkey, tuna fish, egg and ham salad and peanut butter along with plenty of carrot and celery sticks, both dried and fresh fruits and plenty of candy bars to keep up your energy. There was so much that surely all has not been mentioned here. There was no way anyone could have remained hungry.

But, our main purpose was to ply the trails in the area, and we certainly did that. Our camp was near the Pacific Crest Trail so portions of that were traversed, especially toward the south where most of us had a chance to view the countryside from Wildcat Overlook. Then the lake trail beckoned a majority of the group, especially on the days when hikers wanted something more leisurely than traveling to Mountain Lakes Wilderness or Sky Lakes Wilderness for more strenuous and longer hikes. And, of course, several trips were made to Mt. McLoughlin by fast groups, intermediate groups and slow groups, and of those participating in the mountain climb most made it to the summit. Then four of the group went off on a three-day backpack following the Pacific Crest Trail from Mt. Ashland back to camp.

Our President could only be with us a couple of days early in the week, so we had the President’s Tea on Monday evening. That really didn’t give us much time to formulate our ideas as to dress or gifts, but we stretched our imaginations to the limit and came up with a cache of items enjoyed by participants and over awed by our President, Ben Ross. One of the loveliest gifts was one Ben can cherish forever. Jan Bittle, a non-Obsidian, presented the President with a water color of Mt. McLoughlin with our lake in the foreground—a scene we all enjoyed every day. It was a fitting tribute as it was painted as Ben was climbing the mountain, an endeavor unknown by the artist at the time. Prior to presentation of gifts, the Jacobsens presented a melodrama about Clementine using a cast of willing campers—Dorothy Scherer made a wonderful Clementine wearing a lovely blue flowered cotton “dress” (actually a nighty) donated by Catherine Jones for the occasion. Eaton Conant was the father, Ben the hero, and John Kocher the villain with a support cast of several.

The following night 30 of us traveled to Ashland to view Shakespeare’s All’s Well that Ends Well held in the outdoor theater. Since the camp is nearly 30 miles away and the play began at 8:30 p.m. and lasting close to three hours, we did have to be quiet when we returned to camp after midnight. This different Summer Camp experience was enjoyed by most—the acting was good and the costumes outstanding. Eugene’s own Priscilla Lauris had a major part, and she is very, very good.

Weather was varied, but we never had rain. The first two days were hot (showers were welcome on our return), then it turned cooler with it being really cold Wednesday night. (Someone said it got down to 35°F.) Later it began warming again. All day Wednesday it was quite windy and cool no matter where we hiked, and the Mountain never completely shed its cloud cover. Several mornings we awoke to high fog, but soon the sun burned through. One thing you could count on every afternoon about three was the wind that blew across the lake into camp. Campers near the lake really took the brunt of the wind, but trees protected the eating area where we congregated for warmth and repast. The wind blew other times too, but mostly late afternoon and evening. The many sailboats docked at the marina four miles away took advantage of the winds, and we enjoyed watching them sail up and down the lake. Some of us were brave enough to swim in the cool waters when we weren’t enjoying reading, or whatever. One item that disturbed us each morning during the week was the sound of log trucks roaring up and down the nearby road, especially the first morning or two when they were exceedingly noisy beginning at 5 a.m. and continuing throughout most of the day. Large gravel and water trucks also spoiled the pristine stillness of the forest.

Campfires were the order of the evening where we congregated to hear of trips taken during the day, and listen to experiences of other times. There were little skits some evenings, and a few sing alongs. After camp fire people visited, played cards (usually bridge) and other games or listened to Karen Houglum reading about Captain Jack of the Modocs.

As mentioned before, this camp was a constant change of participants as some first arrivals left early while other campers came mid-week, but some were diehards that stayed the full time. The kitchen crew had difficulty in knowing how many they might have to serve each meal, but they did an outstanding job.

We broke camp Saturday morning; another Summer Camp over. Now we are looking forward to next summer and another great time somewhere in the mountains. (Don’t forget to come to this year’s Summer Camp Reunion on Friday, September 27th.)

—Lois M Schreiner