In The Shadow of Longs Peak
Tuesday 26 Aug 2025
It started sprinkling last night as dusk came on so I crawled into the tent. Glad I had already put the fly, since I was contemplating sleeping without it. It did not take long to fall asleep. It seemed to rain off and on all night.
Toward morning, it was still sprinkling but once I got out of the tent it seemed more misty than rainy.
I packed up quickly. There was no way to dry out the tent fly so that got through thrown in the car, everything else was folded, rolled, and packed.
I did not heat up water for coffee and was on my way by 8:15. From Cisco Beach, I headed south back down the road to UT 30 then west to the intersection of US 89 and Logan Canyon, which ended up being a very long 50 miles.
There were three delays along the way due to construction. It looks like they are bringing underground cables up US 89 to the Bear Lake Area.
I have a quick bout of vertigo driving down the canyon. I preserve but am not encouraged.
Finally, I am in Logan. There is a university here, and I wonder if it's where Lori went to college. I did not look at the overview map closely. I had wanted to pick up the I-15/1-84 intersection at Tremonton but took a jog off UT30 somewhere and continued west, ending up at Garland, Utah where I got on I- 15 going south.
I went one exit too far. I got off, got gas and gave up on coffee and breakfast, and got on I-84 west (it actually goes north) to Idaho.
My next destination is City of Rocks. I take the Malta exit, head west then southwest, thru Conant, Connor and Elba. There are a couple of missed turns, easily corrected.
I pass Raft River High School. I remember crossing Raft River along the interstate on past trips.
This turns out to be a very interesting area, evidently part of the California Wagon Trail went thru here. I need to read up on this. I wonder what they did for water.
I do get to City of Rocks but decided not to spend the night. For one, the ten hour drive tomorrow to Potholes is a bit daunting. Plus, the weather is moving in and spending the afternoon in the tent has no appeal.
City of Rocks itself reminds me of Dinosaur Mountain in the Flatirons in Boulder, lots of tall, narrow segments of rocks sticking out of the ground. It would be fun to spend the day hiking here, but I think I really need to count on spending 2 nights. This is more than a drive thru.
So I backtrack thru Alma, Elba and Connor. At Connor, I turn north to Albion, then Declo, then west to Burley, where I encounter a major rainstorm. I turn north, toward the interstate and as I drive, I keep to the center lane to avoid the curbside flooding.
I gas up, continue north, then I-84 headed west. It’s pouring rain. I am glad that the traffic is moving along at a moderate speed for the conditions, perhaps 60 mph.
I pass Twin Falls, Jerome and countless other exits that I have passed before. I cross the Malad River Gorge, lined with columns of volcanic rock columns. Thousand Springs State Park - Malad Gorge Unit near the Tuttle Exit may be a place to visit in the future.
I was able to get a reservation for tonight at Bruneau Dunes State Park where I have stayed before. I get off at the Hammett Exit and pick up ID 78 which winds along the Snake River, crosses it, and climbs up to the dunes.
It rained the whole way, sometimes heavy, sometimes not so heavy.
I am finally at the Dunes and find my site (site 16) on the outer rim of the Broken Wheel Campground. It’s a bit further away from the bathroom than I would have liked but close enough. Some sites have a covered picnic table. I will go for one of those next time. It’s overcast but not raining.
I get the tent setup quickly and have the remaining pork and corn for supper. Then a beer while I sit and write about today’s adventure.
The campground host comes over and mentions rain and thunder is predicted for overnight starting at 10 PM. And 75% rain for tomorrow. At least it isn’t cold!
The wind starts to pick up. I'm tired anyway and pull the car up broadside to the tent to act as a windbreak but then realize the wind is coming from the opposite direction! Oh, well!
I climb into the tent and try to read but fall asleep.
During the night, the wind shifts and it starts to rain (not pour!!). A good test for the tent!
Saturday 06 September 2025
We got up, packed up and headed to Trout Lake where we had coffee and breakfast at the Post Office Café. The sausage biscuit with egg was yummy.
Then, north up 50 miles on Forest Service Road 23 to Randle Washington which included a stop with an impressive view of Mt. Adams even if it was hazy.
It’s a repeat of the slow drive in. But after two hours, we are finally in Randle, WA. We both gas up there and part ways.
Kari pings me once she arrives home.
In the meantime, I make my way east along US 12 toward Yakma, up and over White Pass and down the other side. This road is also winding but travel is at a higher speed. I pass Rimrock Lake on my right which I remember from my 2013 trip.
It takes a long time, but finally I am approaching Yakima.
The valley is a pallor of smoke and haze. In a lumber yard lot, there is a fire crew camp is setup. I never did look to see where the fire was.
At Yakima, I pick up I-82 and head south past the Quad Cities across the Columbia River and into Oregon.
Before long, I pass the exit for Hermiston where, coming out, I got off to take the long way along the Columbia River
At Pendleton, I stop for gas.
From my last outing to the Pacific Northwest, I remember Emigrants Crossing State Park was located between Pendelton and LaGrande. I look on online, make a reservation, and am on my way. It's easy to find, right off the Interstate. I pull in and find my site.
But as I get out of my car, the noise of the highway hits me! It is loud and I wonder if I'll get any sleep tonight.
Other than that, this is a pretty campground, lots of trees and the air temperature is cool.
I get my tent setup.
I must have counted to 100 at least a thousand times. But at some point, I did fell asleep.
Friday 05 September 2025
Kari & her pups were up around 7 AM and I got up shortly after.
First is to get a weather forecast which was much more to my liking. Some rain during the day today, then sunny tomorrow.
By 8 AM there was thunder with a a passing shower.
We were heading to Trout Lake by 10 AM for supplies. It continues to rain but not much and not hard, and it quit by the time we got to Trout Lake. On the way back we stopped at the ranger station to fill up our water jugs.
At the ranger station, Kari got info some Lava Beds east and south of Goose Lake in an area on the map called South Prairie. We headed that way to South Prairie Lake which was way down but looked like it could be filled with water. Across the road was a field of grass which looked like it may have been a lake at one time but was now a marsh.
We headed back to camp, made breakfast and did tasks.
I did not mention how fresh everything smelled after the rain.
Finally, I took my bike for a spin. I went down past campsite 1,2, & 3. 3 was the best but it was a double. Site 2 would be my favorite.
I road past site 1, but not for long as the road did not seem to be headed anywhere in particular.
Next, I checked out site 4-8. The road drops down to site 8. It’s a nice site but I would be concerned about it being buggy, being low, out of the wind, and damp.
Then, back to the road and down another right hand spur but again it did not seem to be going anywhere.
A good reason to have a topo!
Now back to camp. I’ll check out sites 9-12 by foot as they have a barrier up, which I did. The lake is bigger by these sites but none are lakeside.
Friday 29 August 2025 – Sunday 31 August 2025
I arrived at Kari's on Thursday, August 28th. We went to the bank on Friday and got groceries; Saturday was cooking (eggrolls and chili); Sunday was packing.
Thursday evening, we went to Zeke’s in West Seattle for pizza; Breakfast on Saturday & Sunday, was at Bakery Noveau, yummy!
Another outing was West Crest Dog Park in White Center, south of West Seattle.
Our place there is looking good. Kari created a pathway from the driveway up to the deck. She has a pot of nasturtium in the backyard, big leaves and all abloom in orange flowers. There is the new door and window, also well done and replaced siding on the wall with the window.
Sunday 07 September 2025
I am up early, skip making coffee and simply pack up and go.
I regret now that I did not take the time to hike to the springs nor did I wall around with a camera or sketch book before leaving.
I am headed east. My plan is to stop in Baker City, have breakfast at McDonald's, gas up, and stop at Safeway to so if I can get more of that Irish Death Beer, and a bottle of Hells Canyon Wine. But, turns out the Safeway is closed.
So I get gas, check the tire pressure. Albertson’s did not have the beer nor wine. Then McDonalds for breakfast and then back on the freeway.
My alternative stop for last night would have been Fairwell Bend State Park, just east of Huntington, OR where I've stayed before. It does not have the highway noise of Emigrants Crossing. But it would have meant over 100 more miles and a couple of additional hours of driving and I was already getting tired and I do not like driving in the dark.
I do enjoy driving thru the hills of Eastern Oregon. The hillsides seem lined with old ripple as if they were part of an old sea. Another geology episode to find.
I cross into Idaho and the clock moves forward an hour. At the Jerome Exit, I stop for gas and discover they have the Irish Death Beer and buy 2 sixes, one for me, one for Gary.
East again. Once at Twin Fall I realize how much further I have to go to get to Bear Lake. It is not a direct route. But I really like Bear Lake and it is nine hours from home.
It’s around 7 PM in good weather when I arrive at Bear Lake. I pick a site with a covered picnic table but no wind protection. It had a nice flat spot just above the shoreline starts so I set up there. It was lined with a ring by rock and wondered why.
But I soon found but! A brisk wind came up with ominous clouds off to the north so I scurried around, pounded in the remaining stakes and topped them with rocks.
Supper was out of the cooler: leftovers including eggrolls. It was nearly dark and I was tired so crawled into the tent.
The tent fly was flapping in the wind so I got up and attached the extra tie-downs to a rock,
I woke up about midnight to lightning and thunder and wondered if I should escape to the car. Finally, I got out of the tent to investigate. The storm was off to the north. I did not seem to be in imminent danger so crawled back into the sleepy bag.
It did seem really windy out, but the tent was not flapping and finally I realized what I was hearing was the sound of crashing waves.
Wednesday 27 August 2025
Whew! Another long day of driving, sometimes in a hard rain.
Overnight, I did sleep well. It did rain but the inside of the tent stayed dry.
I was up around 7:15, rolled up the pad, packed the sleeping bag & pillow. Hit the restroom to change into clean clothes. Made hot water for coffee. Took photos. Packed everything in the car. Then drove over to take photos of the dunes, which were shrouded in clouds and flat light giving everything a grey cast, very different from the blue light at Bear Lake.
I drove away, heading south toward ID 51 then north to Mountain Home with a stop at McDonald’s for breakfast.
Then west on I-84. It was less than 100 miles to the Oregon border and I made a quick stop at the Welcome Center.
Westward!
Past Fairwell Bend; past Baker City (about 75 miles from the state line). Another quick rest stop after Baker City. I have been heading uphill since crossing into Oregon.
There is on-again-off-again-rain, sometimes heavy, sometimes light; sometimes non-existent though it never clears.
I love the landscape of eastern Oregon, the treeless volcanic hills.
At one spot the road climbs and climbs. The summit overlooks the Pendelton Vally below.
The hillsides are bathed in golden grass, and volcanic rock peeks out everywhere.
I drive down into the Pendelton Valley. My exit is 188. Then Hermiston, along US 395. I veer northeast on US 730 that hugs the south side of the Columbia River. The hills on both sides of the river are golden grass with imbedded volcanic rock and appear to be necking down, toward each other.
I realize now that I am heading toward Walluha Gap, which comes up in many of Nick Zentner’s You Tube presentations on the geology of Washington and Oregon. I’ll need to go back and watch some of his shows but now I have a good feel for the area he is talking about.
On I go, picking up WA 12 which goes north and west around the bend of the Columbia, then back toward Pasco where I pick up US 395 North.
I pass by large areas of treeless marshes that look like a good places for birding. There were similar places near Logan, Utah, along the Logan River.
US 395 insects WA 17, which I take north to Othello where I continue north to WA 260, which runs south of Potholes Reservoir and into Potholes State Park. I have a reservation, so I register then head to site 63, which I picked due to its proximity to the restroom and spigot. It’s 4:45 PM (mountain time), so 3:45 PM local time.
It's spitting rain, so work at getting the tent setup, and all the gear inside.
Then supper: hummus, bread; cantaloupe, and apple crisp.
Now a beer and time to write. I set my chair under a tree which provides a natural umbrella.
The scene & environment here: First, there is white background noise. I am not sure of its source but will have to check it out. Across the road from me are three very cute cabins and I wonder what their nightly fee is (though I am fine with tenting). The sky is overcast, giving the area a very coastal feel. Some of the trees, Lombardi Poplars, are turning yellow. And, lots of birds and butterflies. I hear grebes in the distance. A deer comes to visit and squirrels romp from tree to tree. And quails!
For tomorrow, sleep till 8 AM. Then go for a spin on the bike after getting everything packed.
Finally, after two days, I am adjusting to this trip.
Thursday 04 September 2025
We are up at about our usual time, between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM.
First is coffee. Then leftover bean-beef burritos for breakfast.
By 11, we are on our way to the East Crater Trail. Tt takes 20 minutes or so to get to the trailhead and are headed up the trail by 11:40. The first part is a repeat of Tuesday’s exploratory.
It's cooler today and it seems like we are moving faster-20 minutes to the wilderness boundary and 50 to the first lake, Tuesday’s turnaround.
At the beginning, the ground is covered with dark green leaves which Kari says are violets. Later, the ground covering is predominately lighter green, triangular shaped leaves of vanilla plants.
We walk on a set of stepping stones along a low spot.
Then we cross the dry creek bed lined with volcanic rock.
On and up we go. It’s not too hot yet! The wind is still, the forest all colors of green and we are enveloped in silence.
We pass a fallen tree, around a switchback and more uphill.
In no time we are at Tuesday’s Lake and pause before continuing. I check my GPS and we are slightly more than halfway there.
The next section does not seem quite as steep. We pass thru a stand of dead trees, silver in the sunlight, then are back again into the forest.
We pass another small lake, then another that is slate grey and nearly evaporated.
Now we might be the summit, a long flat area that in the wetter season might be a marsh.
I look ahead and see a sign! We are at the junction of the Pacific Crest Trail.
We make our way down to a bigger lake to have lunch and loads of the finest tasting blueberries ever, full of flavor though not extra sweet.
We pack up and head back but first fill up on more blueberries. Overall, 2 hours up & 2 hours down.
A good hike!
Back at camp, we have a supper of green chill (pre-made) and a fresh salad. Then dishes are done.
Tomorrow’s forecast is not good. We'll check again in the morning which will be an in-camp day. Unless the weather drives us to pack up and leave a day early.
Forlorn Lake Observations: The air is quiet save for the calls of a duck flying over the lake. The trees are tall, creating a curtain of green. Beyond our camp, the sun shines on the still water of the lake.
Wednesday 03 September 2025
We are up and about by 8 AM. Coffee first, then breakfast, then dishes.
Our plan today is to drive to Trout Lake for supplies then to Goose Lake for a swim.
First, we continue down the road to check out the remaining campsites There are a total of 12 sites, a group of about 8. Further down are sites 1 -3. We never did find site 4. Some sites are nicer than others. Some sites are lakeside.
I was surprised to see that less than half are occupied. If we come back here, I would definitely go for one of these sights.
Off to Trout Lake. The road does not seem quite as bad but there is that rough section. And once we back on the paved section of WA 141, it is still a long way back to Trout Lake.
Trout Lake is 13 miles from the sign at the entrance to the Forlorn Lakes camping area.
Our first stop is getting water, so we stop at Peterson Prairie and fill up.
The ranger station is next but it's closed for lunch.
Next is the store. I check email, purchase supplies, then we head back to the ranger station.
This morning at canp there was the distinct odor of wood smoke, which I smell again, even in Trout Lake. The ranger mentions a couple of fires, both small and contained, so no need to worry.
Back now, and on to Goose Lake.
First, we check out camping. All the sites are up the side of a hill, there are steps but they do not look like a fun climb. None of the sites seem very private. So, no future plans to come back here and camp.
We park in the day use area and head to the boat ramp.
The lake, like all the Forlorn Lakes, is much lower than in 2013. There is an island with a number of old tree stumps. Lots of volcanic rock. Sad to say, I did not take any photos.
The water is clear and we wade a bit but do not stay long before heading back to camp.
I work on this write-up then start supper, bean and beef burritos.
After cleanup, Kari makes margaritas, a nice treat.
It's quiet, very little wind. At 8pm, its no longer hot but not chilly.
A nice day!
Thursday 28 August 2025
The sun is out this morning! It is cloudy, though warm and there’s a nice breeze.
I rode my bike around this ‘tent only’ loop. The sites lakeside do not have trees but do have large bushes. The sites on the inner side all have tall Lombardi Poplars. There are three outhouses, one at each end and one in the middle where my site is. This is a wonderful camping destination and will keep it in mind for a future outing.
Before leaving, I make these notes and do a quick sketch then am on my way.
On the way out, I drive down to where there is a trailhead. Turns out, that white noise I heard yesterday is a small creek with a weir. I assume it flows into the lake. It does look like a canal but cannot be sure without further investigation.
Monday 01 September 2025
Today, we headed out for our camping trip to Forlorn Lakes. We were not driving out of town till 3:40, a very late start given that our destination is 5-6 hours away. But off we went!
We took I-405 to I-5 South to US 12 east to Randle, WA. Then Forest Service Road 23 toward Trout Lake, a very slow drive. It was paved for all but 10 or so miles about half-way and that was very rough in spots.
At about 7:30, we pulled into the start of a road (closed due to logs across it) and contemplated setting up camp for the night but decided to press on. We were about 10 miles from Trout Lake. The Forest Service map showed a camp just outside of town to the west along with a Sno-park.
We pressed on.
At Trout Lake, I had to check the map for directions and noted Peterson’s Prairie Campground.
We turn north on WA 141 and headed thru town, past the Forest Service Office, and out of town where the where the road turned into FSR 24. It seemed like a long way.
There was a Sno-park outside of town but no signs of a campground. A few days later, we check this out again. There is a group campground but is closed.
Up ahead is Peterson’s Prairie Campground and I just hope it is open.
And we are there! We pull in. Site 3-S is available. It seemed adequate with one flat spot close and another up the hill, a quick walk from the cars. We start unloading. It is about 8:30 and dark and left the headlights on while setting up.
All went well.
I take a stroll around the loop, mostly to see where the restrooms are. Turns out, I went to wrong way and the closet was about 20 ft. from camp in the opposite direction.
We were soon off to bed, though I had a beer before turning in.
I sleep well.
Monday 08 September 2025
I am up early and again skipped coffee. Packed up quickly. Along the way to Kemmerer, I had another mild vertigo attack. I pulled off the road for a few minutes. Once it passed, I continued to Kemmerer, then south to 1-80 and Little America for gas, coffee and an ice cream cone.
Then ever eastward. One more gas stop at Sinclair, WY then east to Laramie where I exit the highway and take US 287 south to Colorado, bypassing the rest area which closes right after Labor Day. A final ice cream stop at The Forks and arrive home around 4 pm.
A good trip!
Tuesday 02 September 2025
We were up by 8 AM, made coffee, packed up, and were on our way.
Our destination is still Forlorn Lakes. We were not very far away, maybe 6 miles. The road turned from paved to gravel and At one spot, the road went around a sharp corner and up a steep hill. The road seemed to deteriorate after that but improved again after a mile or so.
Finally, we see a sign for Forlorn Lakes Campground. We turn & drive along, passing the first sign for camping. We turn at the next camping area. There are 2 sites here and both are occupied. This is not where we stayed in 2013, so we backtrack to the first area. All the site are taken, except for one that is not very appealing.
Back to the road we go. Right off the road is Site 13 where we hopped out to investigate. There is one very flat tent site and a couple of others that would be tolerable.
Several cars pass with people looking for sites, so we snag this one. It’s quite lovely, wooded, and private.
We unload, set up camp, and have lunch.
Then, off for a hike. Our destination is the East Crater Trailhead, which according to the sign is only two miles away. The road continues to be rough, but just beyond the 2 mile mark is a large parking area, across from a trailhead.
This is the hike that drew me back here. It goes into the Indian Heaven Wilderness, up the side of an old volcano cone and and tops out at a crater (the "east" crater) and crosses the Pacific Crest Trail.
The trail itself is moderately, but not steeply) up hill and the distance to the crater is two miles, per the trailhead information sign.
But we did not leave the trailhead till 3:40, so it is doubtful we'll get that far. We decide to hike for an hour, till 4:45. The map shows a number of lakes at about the halfway point, so we will try and get that far.
We cross a number of dry streams and I am intrigued with the dry volcanic rock, different color, sizes and shapes. One stream has a small amount of water which looks almost stagnant.
At about 55 minutes, there is small lake to our left. we climb down, explore, then back up to the trail and head back. It takes us about 50 minutes.
On the way back down, Kari’s sharp eye sees a critter above us in a tree which turns out to be a Pacific Marten.
I am taken by how green the understory is. Kari points out "bear grass”. We pass lots of flowers that are gone by. I wonder what a trip here in the early summer would be like. It’s a good trail.
Back at camp, we make sausage & greens, our traditional first night camping meal.
A nice half-moon is rising over the lake.
Night falls quickly. I crawl into the tent. It’s been a good day.
Pacific Northwest
25 August 2025 thru 08 September 2025
A Road Trip to the Pacific Northwest to see Kari and camp with her at Forlorn Lakes
I was going to start this trip by paddling on the Colorado River for a couple days and then heading to Washington from there but ended up cancelling on the river trip since I was beginning to feel a bit stressed about the trip to the Pacific Northwest to see Kari. In retrospect, not the trip itself, but all the time that goes into managing a life: finances, Blue Mesa Photos and write-up, ongoing cooking, regular cleaning, cooking for the trip, to name a few. In addition, we hiked to Diamond Lake last Wednesday, August 20th and I did a fitness hike. to the two-mile marker on the Picture Rock trail yesterday (Sunday, August 24th)
I finally packed on Saturday, loaded the car on Sunday and was driving away on Monday at 9:50 AM.
Monday 25 Aug 2025
As mentioned, I drove away this morning at 9:50. There were numerous pit stops, first at Pella, then the rest area on US 287 near Virgina Dale (I need to find out more historical information about this area), then the rest stop near Ft Steele, which has finally re-opened
I got gas at Rock Springs, exit 99 (the exit for the highway on the east side of Flaming Gorge at a Sinclair that we’ve stopped at on various Flaming Gorge outings.
Then westward. The Green River Tunnels still only have 1 bore open. There was a huge explosion in the tunnel this past February.
As always, I stop at Little America for ice cream. Just west is the exit for US 30, where I head toward Kemmerer. Just past Kemmerer is an intersection for US 189 that I pass and I wonder if that was my exit as it seems like I am driving and driving. I pass Fossil Butte National Monument and drive even more. I decide if I do not reach my turn-off (for WY 89 that turns in UT 30) in 30 minutes, I will stop and pull out a map.
But I approach my intersection in 10 minutes. According to the signs, 4 miles to Utah and 12 miles to Laketown, where I turn north along the east side of Bear Lake.
There are lots of very large lakeside homes here. There is an appeal to this type of place, but I know the cost of home ownership both in terms of money and time. There are rows and rows of tall, narrow trees, Lombardi Poplars!
Another sign says five miles to Cisco Beach, my destination for today, and where I have stayed before.
I pull in. There is a kiosk to pay with a credit card, $25 for one night for non-residents. I take site 24, which has a single bush. I can setup my tent and be in the shade for this afternoon and catch the morning sun.
The tent goes up quickly, then sleeping gear stowed inside. Supper is leftover grilled pork and corn-on-the-cob. Then relax, write, take photos and have a beer.
I am surprised by how blue the water is. On past trips, it seems like the water has had a greenish tint, making it seem almost turquoise.
But today, it's blue. The water is blue. The hills in the distance to the west are shrouded in a haze that has a blueish cast. The clouds are blue. Even at sunset the coloring is blue with only spots of pink. Northwest is a series of ridges, all shrouded in haze, all a different shade of blue.
To the north is only water as far as the eye can see though I don't think the north shore is more than 10 miles.
A wind squall has blown in. We'll see how the tent holds up! Though there are no white caps on the water or even waves, just the disturbed surface of lake water.
For morning, the plan is to make a cup of coffee, break down camp, then head west toward Logan, Utah and pick up I-84 west at the intersection of Tremonton, where there is a McDonalds for breakfast, then on to City of Rocks for exploring and camping for one night. Then pop up early on Wednesday morning, as I will have a 10+ hour drive to Potholes and would like to be there by 6 PM.the interstate.