Backpacking in the Cascades

We planned a quick one night backpacking trip with our friend Jennifer in the Jefferson Wilderness Area. Unfortunately, our copy of the Sullivan book was written in 2002, the year before the 2003 B&B fire that destroyed the area we were headed too. While a bit of a downer, the route was still doable, from an alternate starting point on the PCT. Unfortunately, the lack of tree cover (due to the fire) combined with the unseasonably hot weather (it was 104 in nearby Sisters, where the previous high for August 1st was 95!), caused us to change our plans. We were just baking in the sun while hiking with heavy packs (heavier than last time due to advanced food ideas) and Lou (Jenn's dog) was overheating and suffering from the hot dusty trail sand on his paws (relief came when we went by a small pond).

Though we realized we could hike out in the earlier hours of the day the next morning, we decided to head back and find other recreation. We hiked out and back to the cars and drove down highway 126 towards Clear Lake. Foiled by masses of campers, we headed to the next campground (Ice Cap) and found the last available spot there. Still toasty, but with much appreciated shade, and close proximity to the McKenzie River, we cooled down in the afternoon as we set up camp.

For dinner, we tried a recipe from the Lipsmackin' Backpackin' book that Kevin and Laurel gave us. Since we don't have a food dehydrator (yet), we packed a couple of the items fresh (and as cold as possible). We put together a smoked sausage and rice dish with bell peppers, sundried tomatoes and spices. Quite good!

As the sun was setting, we started a fire in the campsite's firepit and started work on our smores. We may never go back to regular chocolate after trying Jen's caramel stuffed chocolate that made for some of the best smores we've ever had.

In the morning, we started with a wonderous feat, that of blueberry pancakes, bacon, and eggs (with smoked cheese), backpacking style. Though we were next to the cars, we'd packed everything for this in our packs. We'd gotten a backpacking frying pan and spatula, froze the bacon, carefully packed the eggs and blueberries in tupperware, and got pancake mix that only required adding water. The meal turned out quite awesome if I don't say so myself. Misty cooked up some of the best blueberry pancackes I've ever had.

Our breakfast may have hinged on our change of plans, since I'm not convinced that the bacon would've made it to Sunday morning had we not returned it to the cooler with the fresh batch of ice from the Clear Lake resort.

After breakfast, we walked over to Koosah Falls and made the short Waterfall Trail hike up to Sahalie Falls.

A good time was had by all. Additional pictures are here.