June backpacking

This past week we headed out into the Three Sisters Wilderness for four days of backpacking. We headed North from the East end of Cultis lake towards Winopee lake at about 4500 feet. As we approached Winopee lake our progress was significantly slowed due to the lingering snow pack! The trail disappeared and we had to use blazes (backed with map and compass) to find our route. We camped on a high ridge above the snow- it was a very beautiful, starry night- with plenty of mosquitos (snow melt = stagnant water)! If you weren't in the tent, you were completely covered from head to toe with clothing or mosquito netting. http://www.centraloregonfavorites.com/html/oregonmap.html

We decided to head back south to lower lakes in hopes of finding less snow laden trails. We headed west around Cultis lake and stumbled upon a campground accessible only by boat or foot. The campground was completely empty- not a sole (except for the deer, squirrels and many birds)- we had the camp ground, beach and docks to ourselves- it was a little bit of heaven- with a tiny reminder that you are still on earth- mosquitos! Luckily, the end of the dock had a steady breeze which elimnated (for the most part) the mosquitos. We spent the time fly fishing (we caught a few rainbow trout)- relaxing and playing with Jazzy in the ice cold water. We ended up staying in our small bit of paradise for two wonderful nights. Afterwhich we hiked out and headed home to 102 degree weather!