Calendar

Past Activity

Land O’Lakes tour

  • Start date: 07/27/2019

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 07/27/2019

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

***Note start time.******Expect warm temperatures (probably mid to upper 80s in valley)***
This is a nice hike into the SW Jefferson wilderness to see four beautiful lakes. We will hike in on the PCT from Santiam Pass, take the trail towards Santiam Lake, then take a left towards the Berley Lakes. There is a short 50 yard cross-country jog to the trail leading to Craig Lake, which is reached after a short climb. This is a lovely lake with a view of the area to the south. We can walk part way around the lake (one can walk about 80% of the way around easily, but the last 20% is not recommended!!) We then retrace our steps out and downhill back to the trail that leads to lower Berley Lake. This is a beautiful place with views of Three-fingered Jack. We then will hike to Upper Berley Lake, then go cross-country on flat ground to the Santiam Lake Trail and from there to the southern end of Santiam lake. We will then return. If the weather is really hot, we may not do the Santiam Lake part. Also, if people really enjoy the first three lakes, it is easy enough not to do Santiam. I would look to return to Springfield by 4:30.

Note: we are going to be exposed for a lot of this hike. Weather models show very low probability of precipitation and temperatures are likely to be warm but not extremely hot.

This is a good hike for the hiker who can do decent miles on the flat but doesn’t enjoy long steep climbs and descents. It gets to a lake not too many know about and three others that are special. Downside is it may be crowded but if so, Craig will have less of it.

  • Event Leader: Mike Smith

  • Event Leader Phone: 520-488-9569

  • Event Leader Email: mssq@comcast.net

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: Behind McDonalds, 57th and Main in Springfield

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 180

  • Season: 2019

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Bring at least 2 liters fluid and maybe another half to one liter leave in the vehicle. Sunscreen, sunglasses, good hat are strongly recommended along with possible mosquito netting. Gaiters should not be needed. Poles are optional, although the short climb to Craig Lake might be a place where one wants them.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 13

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 1000

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

We had a good group of 7 and entered the Mt. Jefferson wilderness on a surprisingly cool morning. We took the semi-trail from the Santiam Lake Trail over and went cross-country until I found the trail going up the hill to Craig Lake. On the way up, I decided not to add Santiam Lake to the list since the climb to Craig is a bit nasty. We went to the south end for the views, saw what we could of the lake and then went back downhill and cross-country to the trail that led to Lower Berley Lake. We had lunch there, Kathy waded, Darko checked out his mushrooms, we looked up wildflowers we had seen, and then moved on after lunch to Upper Berley Lake. The east end campsite was occupied, so we walked around it and got to the eastern end of the lake. We then went cross-country to the Santiam Lake Trail and took a side trip to the other end of Lower Berley Lake. We found our way back to the cars from there. Lot of wildflowers, including Scarlet gilia, and Agoseris, which add spice to the day.

We had a considerable amount of cross-country travel, and I appreciated the willingness of the group to do it, and I appreciated Darko's help in trail finding, I'm not sure how to get into Craig Lake if the Forest Service means to close the access from Santiam Trail. This is an area I will try to get more information.