Landfill at Fish Lake shocks, angers

Calvin "The Wonder Dog" at Lower Lake

From the edge of the Olallie Lake Scenic Area, hikers can begin near the end of road 120 on a trail leading to a string of lakes within the scenic area. Unfortunately, negative human elements and nature can clash, which was the case when I hiked the path, known as the Fish Lake Trail. This hike is only 2.8 miles long, but filled with great scenery, especially if you enjoy lakeside views of the surroundings.

Wet wood in the wild no match for this fire system

Calvin "the Wonder Dog" along the shore of Lower Lake

As most folks know, the key to any good fire is dry wood. Without it, building a fire is like picking a banjo with no strings. Time spent in the woods has allowed me to utilize a campfire system that builds a toasty fire, even when rains or snows have soaked a forest’s wood.

A walk into Eight Lakes Basin, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness

Jorn Lake, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness

Many moons ago and after hiking and backpacking for some time, I finally convinced my bride to join me on a weekend backpack trip to Duffy Lake, located in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness. The plan was to hike 3.5 miles into the lake and set up a base camp. From there, we could set out and explore nearby lakes such as Mowich and Santiam.

Oregon's Olallie Lake Scenic Area - an outdoor lover's paradise

Ollalie Butte with Mt. Hood in the distance and Olallie and Monon lakes behind trees to the left

High atop Oregon's Cascade Mountains is a magical area where lava and ice have sculpted a landscape filled with high buttes and shallow basins. Ripples along the surface of over 200 lakes and tarns dance at the feet of high cliffs and cinder cones. Plump huckleberries flourish beneath lodgepole pines adorned with lichen, and colorful meadows sweep away the forest, giving breathtaking views of nearby Mt. Jefferson and Olallie Butte. One of the most accessible high lake regions along the crest of the Oregon Cascades, this place, known as the Olallie Lake Scenic Area, is truly an outdoor lover's paradise.