Midnight Lake

January 15, 2006

Warm rain for the last several weeks had flooded many rivers, but a coupe of days before the trip the temperature dropped creating a lot of new snow in the mountains. The snowline had dropped to 2000’ on the morning we left SEHS creating picture-postcard scenery, including a bald eagle, on our drive up Willamette pass. We needed to chain up just above the rail road trestle or have a 4x4 and adequate tires. The sky was clearing and no precipitation was forecast. From the Gold Lake snow park, we set out up Abernethy Road toward the Bechtel Shelter. Up to the Westview Shelter trail junction we followed a trail made by some boy scouts from Corvallis heading home, after a night at the Westview Shelter. After that we broke a trail all the way to Midnight Lake, sometimes sinking over a foot in fresh powder snow. It was tough going at times, but the pleasure of good company and good weather made the task enjoyable. We paused on the road above the Bechtel Shelter; it looked like some people had spent the night there, before we headed up to Midnight Lake where we lunched in the sun beside the lake. After lunch we headed back to the cars via the same route and back to Eugene, stopping in Oakridge for a warm drink. I think we would all agree the conditions were about as-good-as-they-get.

Members: Ken Frazer, Mary Frazer, Daphne James, Sherwood Jefferies, Craig Renkert, Suzanne Steussy and Nancy Whitfield.

Nonmembers: Ruth Anonym, Joyce Baker, Bob Freed, Barry Smith and Jessica Westin.

Home About Us Our Activities Contact Us Join Us Gallery Outdoor Links Members Only