Trip Report

We arrived at Devil's Lake just before noon, in a driving rain. All of the people were there, so we decided to sit tight for a while and see what was going to happen as far as the weather. At 2 p.m. the rain had stopped enough that we decided to start up the trail toward a base camp, at approximately 7000'. We started hiking in at 2:10 and arrived at the camp spot at 4:10 p.m. The weather at this altitude was really atrocious at the time we were hiking across the plain toward camp. Clouds were right on the ground and the wind was blowing at least 30 mph. This continued until approximately 7 p.m. when the wind changed and started blowing the storm southward. By 9 p.m. we had c1ear starry skies overhead and the moon rising.

We awoke at approximately 6 a.m. to a very beautiful morning. The sun was rising in a c1ear blue sky. Every one had a leisurely breakfast and we left camp at 7:05 a.m. The trail and the ridge on the mountain were both frozen from the night before, and it made a very nice trip. The footing was excellent. No slipping and sliding in loose cinders and dirt. We arrived on the summit at 9:45 a.m. This was a very enjoyable climb for me, and I'm sure for everyone who was along. Everyone signed the summit book, and we had a leisurely look around on top. Then everyone took time to sit in the sun and have lunch before starting down. We left the crater rim at 11:45.

Arrived back at camp, and broke down our camp. We left the camp at 12:40 and were back at the cars at 2:30. Arrived back in Eugene at 5 p.m. This was a very good climb.

Climbers: Leader Al Gamache, Earl Kimball, Susan Mickel, Ed Smith, Marilee Smith, Merle Traudt.