Camping at Goose Lake

This summer I invited myself along on a friend’s camping trip to Goose Lake in the Mt Adams Wilderness, with her two grandsons.

This was my first camping experience (that I remember ~ my mom tells me we camped when I was a toddler) and I couldn’t wait to see sunset and sunrise over the lake without having to get up or get home at an ungodly hour.

The boys brought fishing poles to catch our food, a BB gun to fend off wild animals in the wilderness, and a machete…I presume to clear a nice space for our comfort.  All but the fishing poles were abandoned as soon as they saw the lake!

While waiting for sunset we watched a ‘mist’ of dust rise and fall as travelers drove the gravel road next to the lake.

When sunset arrived in front of our campsite, it was pretty nice!

Sunrise the following morning was quite beautiful as light overtook shadow.

I was hoping to see a ton of wildlife, and made sure I was the first one on the lake after a brutally cold and nervous night’s sleep.  Between my husband’s 30-year-old worn out sleeping bag and a twig or branch crackling seemingly every few minutes I think I got 3 hours sleep max.

Surrounded with golden light and a sweet little Sandpiper to entertain me in early morning solitude.

As the sun rose higher I could hear campers stirring and looked for more photo opportunities before anglers or boats disturbed the lake.

I found a family of Mergansers beginning their day.

They chased each other back and forth…..

…and did a bit of their own fishing while humans launched boats into the lake.

A little Junco serenaded me from a branch behind  my spot on the beach…

…as did an American Dipper on the next rock over from where I sat.

Did I already say the morning light was Golden?  Breathtakingly so!

As I headed toward sounds of the boys talking, a pair of Bald Eagles flew overhead.

I had to climb over a series of logs to get to where my friends were fishing for breakfast.

As I began my climb, I stumbled upon a pair of Crossbills!  Good reason to stop!!

Finally, I made it across the logs only to find we had no fish for our breakfast.  Luckily we brought a camp stove and eggs!!

Goose Lake is so beautiful and a perfect place for little boys to fish and dream about all the wilderness has to offer ~ hopefully they’ll take their children one day.

It’s also a pretty nice place for a photographer to catch some lovely reflections!  I even heard a PIKA speak!!!  I must tell you, I didn’t like the part about no showers and the lake too cold to take a dip ~ but I loved being there at dusk, dawn, and every moment between.

Mt Adams Wilderness Crofton Ridge

I joined Friends of Mt. Adams for a hike on Crofton Ridge via the Shorthorn Trail on Saturday.  Our group met at the Trout Lake School for an early start.

Led by Darvel Lloyd, who grew up climbing and exploring Mt Adams, it was a very educational hike.

Our group of twelve headed up the Shorthorn Trail through burned forest from the 2012 Cascade Creek fire.

Fascinated with the charred forest remains, contrasting with new growth I stopped for many photos.

Can we call this ‘Fall Color’?

Although it is late in the season, many wildflowers are still in bloom.  I think this is a Pearly Everlasting.

Looking back I was surprised to see Mt Hood.  We parked at an elevation about 4740 feet and would end up at 6227 feet after our 3 mile hike to the ridge.

I believe this in the Lupine family.

A beautiful bouquet of Asters.

Crossing Shorthorn Creek.

On the other side of the creek we found pink Monkeyflower.

Another fork of Shorthorn Creek.

Crofton Creek.  Looking up, I found a tiny waterfall!

Looking down the creek I felt amazed and awed….

When I looked UP from the creek I wondered if I could climb that hill.  See the tiny hikers at the top of the first switchback?  Hint…the dot of red.

No, I’m not gasping for air….I’m stopping to take pictures!

This is where we’re heading.

A vast landscape that takes my breath away, I could stand here for hours.

Almost there at Round the Mountain Trail #9.

The last section of our hike, the crest on Crofton Ridge.

A spectacular view of Mt Adams from the southwest side.

Looking west at Mt. St. Helens.

As we sat and enjoyed our lunch, four Clark’s Nutcrackers joined us!

Zooming in on a waterfall from where we sat in the shade.

Zoomed in on the almost uncovered lookout tower at the top of Mt Adams.  12,276′

Rested, nourished and hydrated we began our three mile descent.

Use caution when heading downhill on a rocky sandy path.  I landed on my cushy backpack twice, but yay my camera landed on my lap!  Might as well take a picture of the view!!  Don’t worry, I wasn’t hurt but even more cautious as I continued.

Trudging back down I pretty much kept my eyes on my footing and tried to keep up!  Oh look, another pretty wildflower!!  Fireweed.

Yes, out of breath again I stopped for another pretty picture.  You know I love rocks!

I looked up from time to time (especially after we reached a gentler downhill section), still amazed at the charred remains of a once green forest.

You know me, I can’t resist stopping for a ‘critter’.

Darvel often stopped to discuss history, flora and fauna of the neighborhood.

Photo by Bob Squires

I am so fortunate to have met and hiked with such an interesting and cohesive group of people.  Another wonderful September adventure!!!