.Hike Mondays.: camping

I have been slacking in getting pictures and trip reports up on the blog. I promise it's not due to a lack of hiking or adventure town, I've just had a lot on my plate, because I am a lucky soul who is blessed with work and projects.

Several of us entered the Enchantment Lakes lottery this year, and a few of us were awarded permits. We only ended up with permits for the Stuart Zone, for late June, and early October. The following are some pictures from our late June trip.

Here is the website for the permit application in case you are interested in applying,

.... (CLICK HERE) I'VE ALSO NCLUDED AN EXCERPT FROM THE WEBSITE BELOW...

Overnight Permit Season Expanded

Starting this year, the limited entry overnight permit season for the Enchantment Permit Area will increase by six weeks to help manage increased visitor use and resulting resource damage at this popular destination. Permits for overnight stays will now be required from May 15 through October 31.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of this unique area, all overnight visitors must obtain a limited entry FEE permit for trips planned between May 15 and October 31. Demand for overnight permits far exceeds the number available, therefore advance reservations are highly recommended. A pre-season lottery is held in February through early March of each year to allocate the majority of permits. Following the pre-season lottery, remaining permits are available on a first come, first served basis through the recreation.gov advance reservation system. A small number of permits are available on an unreserved daily walk-in basis.

PLEASE BE AWARE: While permits may be reserved as early as May 15th, early spring snow and weather conditions may not allow road access to the Stuart Lake or Eight-mile Lake trailheads during the early part of the season. Even if road access is possible, traveling and camping on snow is highly likely during May and June. Please familiarize yourself with the change and cancellation policy if you choose to apply for permits during the early spring or late fall.

Colchuck Lake

Jeremy's friend, the very un-shy Buck

View from lookout just outside of Colchuck

From the trail to Stuart Lake, looking up and over the pass.

View from our campsite on Stuart Lake.

Hiking back down from Horseshoe Lake. Fun group this year!

At the Stuart Lake Trailhead with Adam and Dale.

Colchuck Lake in all it's glory.

Tim and I were able to sneak in an extra camping trip last month. We hit up Crater Lake, Klamath Falls, Ashland, Redwoods, then back up the Oregon Coast up to Gold Beach, then east back home. It was lovely! (Also pretend like Tim's eyes are open!)

We opted to stay at the Lost Creek Campground, follow the link for more details. http://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm, 16 sites, first come, first serve. They call this the "primitive" campground. But it still has a nice bathroom, firepits, bear food-vaults, and picnic tables. Not so primitive to us!!

Crater Lake Lodge in the background. Fun with love and shadows.

We camped for a night outside of Ashland, using Tim's campfinder app on this iphone. (It has been very handy when we are doing just quick one-nighter drive-in camping!)

This has been a very harsh season for wild fires, and drought. Here is an example of how smoky, and how dry it was in Southern Oregon this summer. A few weeks after we returned from this trip, Weed Oregon, a nearby town, suffered a catastrophic fire. The "Boles" Fire can be read about here http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Firefighters-make-headway-in-destructive-Weed-5758830.php

Tent snuggles.

We stopped for a road side attraction in Gold Hill, Oregon, called the "Oregon Mystery House", or the "Oregon Vortex" http://www.oregonvortex.com/. Check it out! it was definitely worth the ten dollar tour!

Six Mile.. The most magical swimming hole ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Click the link for more info on this magical plae along the Scenic and Wild Illinois River in Cave Junction, OR.
SIX MILE CAMPGROUND AND EPIC SWIMMING HOLE

So many fishies!!

Apparently someone stole this sign not too long after we came through. I love the #crosscountryorbust

Hello giant magical trees, I've missed you.

Smith River along Jedediah State Park. Tim swam, I watched (some of that fungus gave me the ewies)

And there he is swimming :)

Ewok Town... Such Beauties!

So many trees to hug.

Stopped to let the dogs frolic along the ocean outside of Brookings.

Used the camp finder app to locate this campground in Gold Beach, Oregon. It was just perfect, and we asked the camp host for the best spot. Check out the website for more informationLOBSTER CREEK CAMPGROUND. You can walk right down to the Rogue River. (photo below)