Category Archives: Mount Hood National Forest

Mount Hood National Forest, Willamette Valley National Forest

MOUNT JEFFERSON WILDERNESS-FINALE

December 16, 2025 Roger Jenkins 2 Comments

MOUNT JEFFERSON WILDERNESS

MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST

WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

Activity: Backpacking

41 miles, 7,014 elevation gain, 21 hours moving time, rated Moderate to Hard

Date: 8/25-30/25

Day 4 & 5: Russell Lake – Cigar Lake – Olallie Lake

The serenity of Russell Lake, in the shadow of the magnificent Mount Jefferson, made it difficult to move on as Jefferson Park is in a word, idyllic.

The glaciers on the mountain pick up the soft light of early morning… the still waters of the alpine lake reflecting the regal presence of Mount Jefferson… this place of calm framed by towering firs is a quiet reminder to appreciate the richness of the moment.

I finished my breakfast while stuffing the last of my equipment into my pack. I watched as Anthony and Katie, who had set out already, took a jaunt around our little lake first. It was such a spectacular day that a side excursion was certainly in order.

I followed suit along a faint trail around Russell Lake that was later lost in a tangle of undergrowth, so I just tramped my way- bushwhacking back to the lakeside bank to finish my walk.

Peggy and Dale were packing up leisurely, enjoying our splendid campsite at the lake, as I headed up the mountain into the dense forest. I celebrated every footfall along the path carpeted in pine needles while serenaded by songbirds.

Every so often, through a peekaboo window that the woodland would open up, I could spy Peggy, Dale and their dog Jimi making their way to the foothill of our climb.

They were making good time and by mid-morning they had overtaken me so we proceeded together. My sister, Peggy confided that she was happy that we were hiking together for several reasons. One, obviously we planned to backpack this adventure to be together and together was more fun- despite that we may hike at a different pace. Two, she didn’t want to have to worry about me. Three, she was still a little apprehensive about her husband Dale since he had suffered the day before and as mentioned previously he had a bad experience on Mount Hood the year before. As it turned out her concern wasn’t without foundation.

**Anthony and Katie loving life along the trail.**
Photo complements of Anthony E. King Photography

**Peggy, Dale and their Vizsla Trail Dog Jimi**

Dale, now 70, was about to learn that he was no longer Superman at least as far as the latter part of epic backpacking adventure. Just like the year before on the Timberline Trail he learned a lesson. The lesson being- during the latter days of trudging through the wilderness with a pack, especially during the second half of the day, exertion fatigue would for evermore proved taxing on him.

I was feeling good. It was only the first couple days climbing the mountain with heavy pack that I was feeling the plague of weariness. Of course admittedly we had now slowed our pace and were taking frequent breaks since Dale was not welling well.

Mt Jefferson Wilderness, Finale - 'Pursuing Balance Through Adventure'

So, I certainly was not being pushed and now the pace was certainly a lot slower than I would have set if I was alone. I was still a bit concerned because seeing Dale struggle was something that I had not been accustomed to. But by slowing our pace and taking lots of breaks Dale was able to endure.

Photo complements of Anthony E. King Photography

This day was another Beauty and the Beast regarding the dichotomy from the most alluring and stunning environment to the chard trunks of wildfire devastation. Everything everywhere just blackened truly a Land of the Lost. So utterly sad and dismal.

Bug Whisperer Dale and newly hatched Dragon Fly-Photo Anthony E. King Photography

We could have hiked out on this day and I believe even though it would have been long and difficult that is what I would have preferred. I wanted to leave this wildfire Hell.

Anthony had planned out a day that would not have been as hard leaving us with an easy hike out the last day. He had a lake in mind. I kept contemplating, as we wearily plodded along, we can’t be to this lake yet because everything is still ugly. Dale kept getting worse and his pace continued to fall off with each on going hour of exertion.

We finally pulled into where we were pitching our tents for the night. Cigar Lake, I am sure was named because of it’s shape, but I was thinking that it was ably named as it was all burned up. This Hades was surely the worst spot I have ever camped. The toppled timber was barren and black strewn about like matchsticks and the ground was ash. The smoke from the Sister’s Fire was choking out the sun giving it the appearance of a glowing red ball. It was an eerie apocalyptic setting.

By the time we arrived Anthony and Katie had already set up their camp. The wind had painted the sides of their tents with ash. I really did not want to camp in that dirty, dusty place and searched about finding something more suitable in some nearby boulders. By the time I filtered water, set up my tent and started my Jetboil for dinner it was dark. There was nothing to see anyway so that was fine.

During the night I got a wild hair and conjured up a plan. In my mind the beauty of this expedition was over. There was only the drudgery of the last final few miles through the land of doom. So a leisurely breakfast was certainly not something to be enjoyed in this place of destruction.

Beyond that I had been invited to return to my university, Oregon State, for a fraternity event which I thought that I would not be able to attend to the disappointment of my brothers. I had not set foot on campus since my graduation so seeing my fraternity brother chums and going to the football game was pulling at me. I thought if I got up early and high tailed it, hopped in my Toyota 4Runner TRD and 4wheeled out of there I just might make the event.

So that is exactly what I did. I bid my expedition friends farewell and hauled butt. You would not think that I had ever struggled on the mountain. With new found exuberance I moved at PCT Through Hiker pace, almost running, lol! I jumped in my rig and was gone in a giant cloud of dust bouncing along the rugged jeep trail off to another type of adventure.

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel
Mount Jefferson Wilderness Finale
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**“True strength is not measured when you are at our strongest but when you are at your weakest.” – Rashad Evans**

Our group of intrepid wanderers Anthony, Katie, Peggy, Dale, and I appreciate you FOLLOWING these episodes of ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ Oregon Hiking in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. (Previous episode) Our adventure trail started in a forest of devastation, lifeless and charred by wildfire. It even began raining and I thought to myself this is not why I came to here, this sucks. Most of that first day we were surrounded by ugliness and hardship. But that struggle through the ravaged area brought us to one of the most beautiful places one could imagine. There were more of those days ahead for us on the journey, a balance of gorgeous and hideous. Lush, fertile forest balanced with blacken timber and scorched earth. Nature does not know good and evil and views wildfire started by lightning as a crucial step in renewal, adaptation and the maintaining of ecological balance. I write this Adventure Blog PBTA talking about Balance. This is just another type of Balance. The Balance of Nature. You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain. Forests need wildfire as hard as that is for me to digest. On this hike we got to see two extremes. All part of Natures plan. I will say the struggles that we experienced through spoiled forest and the physical struggles that I had at the beginning of the trip and that Dale had at the end of the trip- were worth it. We were stronger for it. We were able to experience something very special, something that most people do not get to. The journey although difficult for different reasons, was oh so glorious. The sublime portions were so marvelous. It was pay to play, but we were all winners. It is on to the next adventure so be sure to: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. Please visit my Online SHOP APPAREL for top quality adventure wear that carries the mantra, the banner, the message, the logo: ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. Profound Experiences in Nature is what we seek to Balance ho hum everyday responsibility with thrilling escapades. The menu showcases the many locations that PBTA travels. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Mount Hood National Forest, Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Willamette Valley National Forest

MOUNT JEFFERSON WILDERNESS, Day 3

December 4, 2025 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

MOUNT JEFFERSON WILDERNESS

MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST

WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

Activity: Backpacking

41 miles, 7,014 elevation gain, 21 hours moving time, rated Moderate to Hard

Date: 8/25-30/25

Day 3: Pamelia Lake to Russell Lake

The day began in the dense thicket of fir trees along the shores of the ever so still Pamelia Lake. The lake reflected the evergreens and steep mountainside of Grizzly Peak just opposite our location. The scene was so peaceful and soothing as we filtered water for the days journey back to Jefferson Park.

I was apprehensive about the remainder of our trek. The first day we climbed in elevation to Park Ridge, the high point of the expedition. It was a not easy and I tired along the route. Now on Day 3 we were at the lowest elevation. We had done nothing but descend to this wonderful lake, but now it would be all up hill from here.

Once again I set out ahead of my fellow backpackers not wanting to slow the others down. The woods we were traveling through were just amazing, many of the fir trees were mighty tall and strong.

I ran into plenty of PCT Through Hikers and it was always fun to converse with them about their experience and how it was going. I talked to a solo PCT’er from Florida. He was not young and he did not look all that fit, but certainly he was as he had an extraordinary amount of miles under his belt by that point. He was not sure that he would be able to complete his quest before the winter storms in the Cascades would drive him back, but he was going to give it a go. I told him to me such a journey seems impossible. He conveyed that it gets easier and you more or less get used to it. Good for him! How cool. The folks we were meeting on trail now were pretty much the stragglers this late in the season. By the time they reach the North Cascades in Washington there was a real threat of extreme winter conditions in the mountains. Only the most hearty would make it now.

The alluring perfect forest ran out as we wrapped around the mountain. Back to the burn scar, ugh, but I did find some bushes filled with huckleberries and took a nice long break harvesting as many of the delicious tidbits for my breakfast snack as I could muster.

I was making pretty good time and was pleased that now on day 3 of hiking with a heavy pack, gaining elevation with each step, I had settled into a rhythm. It was not as taxing on me as I had dreaded, don’t get me wrong it was still taxing, but I was doing fine. The speedy expert trekker Anthony and not far behind him the youngster of our group, Katie, did not pass me until much later in the day.

On and on through the devastation we trekked as far as I could see, and I could see pretty far. There was burnt timber everywhere and add to that I could see smoke from the active fire in the Sisters, Oregon area blowing up the valley and hoped that would not choke us out. I pondered about our safety and how that fire fight was going since we were more or less out of touch with the rest of the world. All of the timber that surrounded us had already burned once I imagine it wouldn’t burn again, but then again it’s a lot of wood, right?

I marched uphill through the wildfire devastation late into the afternoon and I was starting to wonder where was Peggy and Dale? They certainly should have passed me by now. I caught up to Anthony and Katie who were taking a snack break and voiced my concern and Anthony always positive said, “I am sure they are fine”. As the time passed I grew more and more worried. I happened to find a point with a little cell service and contacted their son Nick, who was their safety contact.

The year before Peggy and Dale followed my footsteps of an epic adventure I had previously and that was the Timberline Trail. Dale the senior of our group, an avid outdoorsman, had struggled on the last days of that backpacking event. This had not happened to him before so it was a surprise. It put them in a dangerous position as they were a day or two overdue and ran through their provisions with no contact via satellite device. Finally as their Safety Group, Nick and I pushed the panic button and contacted Search and Rescue. Luckily Dale and Peggy were able to self rescue. Search and Rescue contacted them just as they arrived back at their camper and recharged their batteries enough to function. Dale had suffered from extreme exhaustion, but they made it out. So obviously there was good measure for my concern.

It was time to cross the tricky fast moving stream, but this time no one was around in case anything went wrong. I crossed the same spot I had the day before. It was probably the most difficult, but it kept me high and dry while the others painstakingly crossed in the water rather than above it. Easy does it… one foot after the other… watch your balance with the heavy pack… try not to make the thin log move… good made it to the halfway spot of a boulder in midstream… transition to the next wobbly log from which a fall would be rather dreadful. All good! Now up the embankment and onward.

Anthony maneuvering Russle Creek Crossing

Entering Jefferson Park I was once again immersed in the immense beauty of this Garden of Eden. Streams that flowed with milk and honey, evergreens forests thick with life, the glaciers on Mount Jefferson glimmering in the sunshine.

Everything was perfect, but it was now the end of the day and no Dale and Peggy. A Through Hiker who was laying down tracks at a quick pace came up from behind me. I asked her if she had seen a couple backpackers with a dog? She remembered them, (everyone remembers the dog), she said she saw them taking a break and that they seemed fine. This was very reassuring and I thanked her for the good news.

It turned out that like the year before on Mount Hood and the Timberline Trail, Dale had hit a wall and was experiencing extreme fatigue, much more than I had ever experienced, as obviously I was way ahead of them.

It was so good to be back in Mount Jefferson Park, a place that was… in a word: perfect.

Our camp for the night was Russell Lake, surprisingly I was the first to arrive.

It turns out that Anthony and Katie took a brief side excursion around a couple other little alpine lakes nearby scouting places to camp as Anthony is always taking notes for other endeavors.

I scouted a couple spots to camp and then decided to take a load off and just enjoy a snack and the remarkable vision before me. It wasn’t long before Anthony and Katie arrived and we started setting up camp. I let them know that I had heard that Peggy and Dale were okay.

We were later all reunited and happy to be together in this stunning spot. We all went for an awesome swim in the lake. It felt great to wash away the trail dust. We shared story time perched on some rocks down by the lake as we ate our dinner. Peggy and Dale once again with their lavish Home Made Trail Cuisine, the rest of us were resigned to backpacker just add boiling water meal in a bag.

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel
Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Day 3
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**Sure I might be physically present, but mentally I’m barefoot sitting next to an alpine lake with no cell service.**

Anthony, Katie, Peggy, Dale, and I say thank you and I hope you are enjoying these episodes of ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ Oregon Hiking in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. This addition is such an utter dichotomy from the extraordinary beauty in Mount Jefferson Park, (Not sure why they refer to the area as “park”, as when I think of a park I think of roadways, bathrooms, campgrounds, ranger stations, visitor centers and so forth. There is nothing like that in Jefferson Park), to the bitting ruin of what once was the quintessential Pacific Northwest forest. I keep telling myself this is the balance of nature, not always so beautiful. Nature gave us the beauty and it also struck it down with a lightning storm which turned into a firestorm inferno. Someday the burn scar area will be a marvel once again, but not in our lifetime. There is more to share of our Mount Jefferson Wilderness Adventure. (Mt Jefferson Wilderness Finale) Stay with us for more mountain trekking all you have to do is: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. Don’t forget to visit my Online SHOP APPAREL for top quality adventure wear that carries the mantra, the banner, the message, the logo: ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. Profound Experiences in Nature is what we seek to Balance home/work life with peace and harmony. The menu showcases the many locations that PBTA travels. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Mount Hood National Forest, Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Willamette Valley National Forest

MOUNT JEFFERSON WILDERNESS, Day 2

November 18, 2025 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

MOUNT JEFFERSON WILDERNESS

MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST

WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

Activity: Backpacking

41 miles, 7,014 elevation gain, 21 hours moving time, rated Moderate to Hard

Date: 8/25-30/25

Day 2: Park Ridge to Pamelia Lake

We survived the horrendous thunderstorm the night of ‘Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Day 1, that surprised us in the middle of the night on top of the Park Ridge. The rain came down in buckets with lightning bolts all around.

It was the dawning of a new day and there was that magnificent sight, Mount Jefferson, entrancing and bewitching us once again with it’s incredible beauty.

I decided since I was the one that was struggling with the demons of a heavy pack, not enough food and not enough nutrition, according to my trail mates, that I would set out early on my own. My own feelings of self doubt weighing heavy on my mind. Did I train hard enough? What is my frick’n problem? Why am I so slow compared to the others? Why am I struggling? We aren’t even at a high altitude for goodness sake. But of course I was headed downhill now so there was not the same strain and effort. So this day certainly felt better and less of an endeavor than the previous day. Plus the area was absolutely breathtaking from the marvelous views of Mount Jefferson to the thick lush forest that I was now traveling through. The others would not catch me on this part of the trek as I made my way down at a brisk clip enjoying nature and all her bounty.

I passed different PCT Through Hikers coming from the opposite direction and chatted with them regarding the big storm of the night before. The first hiker recanted his experience regarding the extra miles he decided to push for. By the way these guys put in an heroic amount of miles each and everyday. This person said that he decided to continue to hike into the night. When he finally stopped he was exhausted and decided he would “Cowboy” it, meaning sleep out in the open without pitching his tent. In the middle of the night he started seeing glimpses of light and wondered who the Devil is flashing a flashlight to and fro? Then he realized that a big storm was a brewing. He hurriedly pitched his tent and got in just as the rain started pouring down. The funny thing is much later I came a couple of women PCT Hikers and they said that they heard thunder off in the distance, but experienced no rain at all. Obviously we are all in roughly the same area, but it seemed odd that the rain dumped on us up on the ridge, but these young women didn’t receive any precipitation down in the Park, weird. That just reinforces the thought that in the mountains all bets are off when it comes to weather. The mountains make their own weather, so always expect the unexpected. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

I made my way downhill through the forest and along a couple of alpine meadow open areas to our meet up spot far down below at Russell Lake.

I was glad to take off the heavy pack, enjoy the mountain and the wonderful little lake. While I was waiting for my friends to arrive I started chowing on wild blue berries and huckleberries. Oh my gosh, they were so good I could not stop!

The lake and the mountain were superb. After everyone arrived we had a snack break and then hit the trail through the beautiful Mt. Jefferson Park, which was just incredible.

Mount Jefferson Park is a comparatively level garden of streams, subalpine meadows and little lakes with dazzling views at the base of epic Mount Jefferson, the second highest peak in the state of Oregon.

We crossed over a stream that seemed to be flowing with milk and honey. The aptly named “Whitewater Creek”. The chalky color is actually a fine silt mixed into the water coming down the mountain from the glacier. Not the place to be filtering water so it is important to plan accordingly.

The next portion of the hike we did not really capture images of as it was just so disappointing. That segment was simply unbelievable devastation. The wildfire took out everything as far as the eye could see and we could see a longways from this sad vantage point. Every hill, every mountain, every valley, everything… just scarred dead timber.

There were two water crossings of note. The first was Russell Creek. This stream section had fast moving water and was too wide to find boulders to hop across. We decided since this would be a significant event that we should all cross together. Anthony and Katie arrived first and a short time later I arrived.

We surveyed the situation and there was no easy way across. There were a three options. The first choice was near where we were resting, as we waited for team members Peggy and Dale, who were bringing up the rear. The first option had a thin log across a portion of the flow then transferred to a boulder and then onto another thin log, none of which seemed very secure. The next option was down stream a bit to maneuver a bundle of branches across the waterway that were soaked, partially in the water and wobbly. The group did not like either of those two choices of action.

Anthony despite being a 2xPCT accomplished hiker does not like heights, slippery surfaces on a slope such as snow or ice nor does he like fast moving water crossings. He will do them if he has to otherwise not to keen on the whole idea.

Sister Peggy is not to fond of water crossings either and was even considering not going further as most of that area was devastation anyway. She was privately thinking maybe just go back to beautiful Mt Jefferson Park.

Dale an outdoorsman all of his life took the initiative and carefully made his way through the rushing water securing each step as he went and using his trekking poles to brace himself. Once across he gave instructions to the others. Anthony made a couple of attempts, but really did not like it so he was still deciding how he wanted to cross plus he wanted to make sure that Katie would be okay on the crossing. Dale anchoring himself by sitting down on a boulder partially in the water to give assistance with directions. Katie was next. Dale showed her the best spot and where to place her feet, informing her that the rocks were slippery. It was a little sketchy, but Dale reached out his hand and she was able to make a lunge at it and all went well. The others followed suit.

I hate to get my feet wet and will do just about anything to keep that from happening including taking on a little more risk. To many times I have suffered painful blisters from hiking in wet boots. I went back to the first option. The only one above the water. I took it one easy step at a time, sort of like a tight rope walker, the thin logs moved a bit as I went. A fall could mean possible injury and being swept by the water, certainly soaked along with everything in my pack. The pack makes such an endeavor all the more difficult by throwing off the balance a bit. It was a little nerve wracking, but I was successful. All just part of the adventure and I was the only one with dry feet.

The trek continued on through the scarred apocalyptic land of ruin. As usual our band of merry backpackers spread out due to age, fitness level, quest for solitude and so on. Anthony in the lead getting his Zen on, the youngster of the group Katie doing her best to stay in his same zip code. Peggy and Dale hiked with me for a good part of the day, but I finally told them to move along as I wanted to go at my own pace.

**Peggy and Jimi the backpacking Vizla dog.**

The last water crossing of any note, Milk Creek, cut through the forest, running down off of the mountain, but it was not that big of a deal and with a little rock hopping I was across. Yes, we were back to live, green, lush forest as we wrapped around toward the backside of Mount Jefferson.

There was a junction where I found Peggy anxiously awaiting my arrival to not only check on me. She also wanted to ensure that I was well aware that we were now leaving the Pacific Crest Trail for Hunts Creek Trail which would bring us to our destination for the night Pamelia Lake. It was a rather insignificant trail that branched off and since I was fatigued it was quite handy that she was there, to be sure I was paying attention.

How pleasant the hike became at that point as we were in the sort of environment that PNW forests are known for big, bountiful and beautiful fir trees. We made our way to Pamelia Lake where we saw some other folks enjoying camping by a lovely alpine lake. We knew that Anthony would be searching for just the right spot. We made our way through the thick woodland along the banks of the pretty lake. On our side of the lake was thick forest the same for the other side other than that backdrop was steep mountainside leading up Grizzly Peak.

We discovered our friends busy as beavers. They found some wonderful camp spots for us. We then did all of the usual things pitched our tents, filtered water, washed up a bit in the lake, cooked up some grub and just enjoyed each other and our splendid surroundings.

One thing that I remember about this spot was having to pee in the middle of the night. The forest canopy was so thick that the night was a black as coal. Usually when camping you can exit your tent and it would be much lighter, there would be moonlight, starlight and just atmospheric light, but the thick trees made it just pitch black forest. You could barely see the hand in front of your face. Luckily I found my tent, climbed into my sleeping bag and slumbered off into dream land, which was exactly where we were- a land of dreams.

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure
YouTube Channel
Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Day 2
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**“What a blessing it is to be tired in the pursuit of a challenge of your own choosing.”**

Anthony, Katie, Peggy, Dale, and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to be ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’ with us in the MOUNT JEFFERSON WILDERNESS. One of the most beautiful and at the same time one of the saddest places to be. Immense natural beauty coupled with massive wildfire destruction and ugliness. The huge thunderstorm passed and we awoke to the dawning of a new day in a place so beautiful it was almost unimaginable. The mountain called to us, captivated us. Colossal, phenomenal, outstanding all seem pale as descriptive words to recount what we experienced. After we moved through the incredible area known as Mount Jefferson Park it wasn’t long before we were back to scarred land. It was more difficult to withstand on this day because unlike the day before where at least we had some refuge in sections of forest untouched by the devastation, it was just relentless on this day. As far as the eye could see what was once remarkable was no more. This was not the Balance that I was seeking where beauty was balanced with ugly, good was balanced with evil, but this was the way… Natures way, lightning caused the wildfire that wiped out virgin forest, now it must literally rise from the ashes. It’s natures way of renewal, but it is brutal. Once we closed in on Pamelia Lake, our destination for the night, we were back to forest big beautiful healthy forest. Good with the Bad… There is much more to share of our Mount Jefferson Wilderness Adventure. (Here is Day 3) Stay with us for more mountain trekking all you have to do is: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. Don’t forget to visit my Online SHOP APPAREL for top quality adventure wear that carries the mantra, the banner, the message, the logo: ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. Profound Experiences in Nature is what we seek to Balance home/work life with peace and harmony. The menu showcases the many locations that PBTA travels. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Mount Hood National Forest, Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Willamette Valley National Forest

MOUNT JEFFERSON WILDERNESS, Day 1

November 5, 2025 Roger Jenkins 1 Comment

MOUNT JEFFERSON WILDERNESS

MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST

WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

Activity: Backpacking

41 miles, 7,014 elevation gain, 21 hours moving time, rated Moderate to Hard

Date: 8/25-30/25

Day 1: Olallie Lake to Park Ridge

After a night of reunion and getting to know new friends, morning had dawned and it was time to hit the dusty trail, in this case it was ashy. Soon as we moved away from Olallie Lake, traveling along the Pacific Crest Trail, we were in wildfire devastation. It seems nowadays it is difficult to find beautiful hiking areas that are untouched by wildfire.

This place of great grandeur and natural splendor was now laid waste, ravaged by wildfire caused by lightning strikes 5 years prior. Our friend and team leader, PCT Through Hiker Veteran Anthony, had longed to get back to the place, something that he wished to share with us. However, this was not the woodlands that he remembered. We had been forewarned of the damage, but until you see it with your own eyes it is hard to fathom the ruin.

**First life after devastation, Fire Weed.**

On we pushed even though it was heartbreaking. Adding insult to injury it started to rain. I couldn’t help myself, mind drifting off, as we trudged on through the charred timber, to a rather dark place as the rain ran down my face like tears of sorrow for this once pristine forest. What am I doing here? This is surely not what I had in mind when I thought of Oregon and it’s most beautiful forests, mountains, and streams. Hour after hour of nothing but apocalypse.

**Pond brings life back to total destruction.**

As you will see from the pictures I display, I concentrated on the beauty rather than the beast. It felt like a struggle between Darkness and Beauty. It seemed that we were forced to take the Good with the Bad.

Later in the day we would come across a green area, a sweet little oasis in this desert of destruction somehow spared the catastrophic fire event.

I worked hard to celebrate this break and feel the joy of this tiny island of life.

But it was not long until we stepped back into an ocean of ravaged landscape.

We moved on into a different ecosystem as we climbed to higher altitudes, less forest lands and more sand, grit, and rock.

We were headed for the ridge line. That is where we would camp for the evening. It had been a long, and for me an exhausting day. My pack weighed heavy on my back and the destruction of immaculate wilderness weighed heavy on my mind. Both of which were making this drudgery. My pace was labored, slower than the rest, I suffer from Altitude Sickness, however we were not at the high altitude that would bring that sort of thing on. This led to discussions and nitpicking of how much I carry in my pack, maybe I should go ultra-light, perhaps I should eat more and higher quality foods while hiking. I started doubting my preparation. I trained pretty hard and even tried to work my way up to this epic event with increasingly difficult hiking and backpacking, but perhaps I should have trained even more? The answer escaped me. Perhaps it is as simple as the struggle leads to a deeper appreciation of the gain.

So when we crested the ridge adorned in the greenery of higher altitude type trees and brush and then…

BEHOLD Mount Jefferson like a heavenly vision. It was magnificent!

We had paid so dearly slinking through the ugliness of destruction to now stand in the presence of glory. Wow, just wow! It was stunning the complete polar opposite of what we had been experiencing throughout the day. It was a very moving sight. What a place to call home for the night.

After taking a long moment to capture the rapture of what stood before us, it was time to set up camp. As usual since I was bringing up the rear the best tent spots with wind protection, level ground and wonderful views had been claimed.

**Photo by Anthony E. King Photography**

I was not about to settle so I searched further. What I came up with was utterly outstanding, and the view my camp spot commanded was unmatched, even if it was a little more exposed. Perhaps a little more than a little, but the views were to die for. (That thought will have more relevance in a moment.)

Once we had our tents all staked out it was time for some grub. While Anthony, Katie and I poured boiling water into a pouch for our backpacker dinners my sister Peggy and her husband Dale feasted on a fine supper of Peggy’s Salmon Curry Couscous Backpack Meal. She is a wonderful cook and brings that talent right out on the trail with her. She prides herself in making delicious trail cuisine that she prepares herself and packages for their backpacking excursions. All the rest of us could do was choke down our freeze-dried backpacker stroganoff and look on jealously drooling over their gourmet spread.

**Last Light Dinner Time, photo by Anthony E. King Photography**

All of us were utterly transfixed on the sight of Mount Jefferson. This was exactly what Anthony wished to share with us, beauty beyond compare. Easily one of the most beautiful things any of us had ever seen and that is saying a lot when you are considering that is our hobby, getting to enjoy what few can.

**Katie journals her epic adventure, photo by Anthony E. King Photography**

We couldn’t take our eyes off the mountain as the light continued to change and the sun sunk slowly into the West. We also couldn’t stop taking pictures of this incredible scene, lol.

As the light waned and the air chilled it was time to retire. From the warmth of my sleeping bag, in my tent perched precariously on the exposed side of the ridge, I stared out my unzipped threshold at the impressive mountain until finally it faded from sight.

I was awaken in the middle of the night by a strange noise. Little by little this rumbling grew ever closer with little flashes of light. Anthony had given us an updated weather report as we closed in on the ridge from his Garmin GPS device. After it had rained on us most of the day, he said that the rain had passed. But this is the mountains, it seems all bets are off when you are talking about mountain weather. Because it wasn’t long before the rain was coming down in sheets, the wind was picking up and lightning bolts were coming down- first a few miles away and then right on top of us! Since we didn’t die, it became all part of the Adventure.

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure
YouTube Channel
Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Day 1
CLICK THE PIC!

“**When the going gets tough, remind yourself why you started. You’re here because you love the adventure, the challenge, and the beauty of nature. Keep pushing-your reward is just up ahead.**“

Anthony, Katie, Peggy, Dale, and I set off into the Wilderness on the Pacific Coast Trail at Olallie Lake in beautiful Oregon- our goal? ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’. We learned straight off that Nature while beautiful, can be a bitch. In 2020 the Lionshead Fire, which was ignited by lightning strikes, became one of the most destructive fires in Oregon history pretty much wiping out the small town of Detroit. What was one of the most lush, beautiful and pristine forests was no more and it will be generations until it will return. So our journey taught us Nature is tough. Our beautiful wildlands are birthed by wildfire, it is part of the cycle. Some trees have built in defense to fire, but this fire was so hot that it literally scorched the earth. Still some pine cones are built so that they do not reveal their seed without fire. Sort of a Phoenix literally rising from the ashes. I suppose that lightning strikes and wildfire is part of Natures plan, but it is a brutal plan. An already difficult hike is made even harder when all you see is ugliness. The rain and the somber sight damped my enthusiasm. We endured the struggle of this land of disappointment, charred timber, destroyed natural beauty. But when we crested that ridge we were stunned by the most blessed sight. There is much more to share of our Mount Jefferson Wilderness Adventure. (Here is Mt Jefferson Wilderness Day 2) Stay with us for more mountain trekking all you have to do is: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. Don’t forget to visit my Online SHOP APPAREL for top quality adventure wear that carries the mantra, the banner, the message, the logo: ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. Profound Experiences in Nature is what we seek to Balance home/work life with peace and harmony. The menu showcases the many locations that PBTA travels. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Mount Hood National Forest, Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Willamette Valley National Forest

Mount Jefferson Wilderness

October 23, 2025 Roger Jenkins 1 Comment

MOUNT JEFFERSON WILDERNESS

MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST

WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

Activity: Backpacking

41 miles, 7,014 elevation gain, 21 hours moving time, rated Moderate to Hard

Date: 8/25-30/25

Olallie Lake PCT Trailhead

I was so excited to join friends and family for this epic backpacking adventure in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. I had been on my Grand Roadtrip Journey for the past week adventuring my way up to Oregon from SoCal with awesome quests in Pinnacles National Park, Lassen National Park and Mount Shasta.

The last part of my roadtrip was from Bend, Oregon through Sisters, driving through thick heavy smoke from a devastating wildfire that was actively being fought. Unfortunately this is a reoccurring theme for the Pacific Northwest and really the entire West Coast. It would be a theme for this adventure as well.

My path went through Detroit, Oregon a small town that had the most pristine and beautiful forest, but a few years back burnt to the ground. My GPS took me on a rough old logging road, which luckily was no problem for my Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. Some of the logging road went through the most incredibly beautiful thick forested area, but some of it was just devastation from wildfires, which regrettably would be a theme for our backpacking adventure as well. But I am getting ahead of myself.

I was worrying that perhaps this road would get worse. I caught up to a couple 4 wheel trucks, whom were having a jarring experience on the rocky portion of the trail. They waved me ahead as I had much better suspension and my rig was made for this stuff. I asked them about getting to Olallie Lake and they said that this was the back way. I was thankful for the information and that I was on track because there is no cell service in the Wilderness. After a long and sometimes arduous trek I arrived at Olallie Lake. It also was completely burned, at least the side of the lake that I arrived at first. Firefighters must have made a stand against the Lionshead Fire of 2020 at this lake because the other side that had the Olallie Lake Resort, (I would not call it a resort, lol…), was fine.

So the resort, if you can call it that, had some cabins, and plenty of camping spots. I checked in at the rustic resort, an old cabin from the 1930’s turned into a General Store for the PCT Through Hikers as well as the campers. I talked to some campers that had an excellent spot and they pointed out the second most excellent spot so I grabbed it for our group.

Olallie Lake, Photo complements of Anthony E. King Photography

It was a wonderful and spacious campsite. Beautiful big fir trees on a little point on the quiet tranquil lake with a splendid view of Mount Jefferson, and away from others… perfect.

Late in the afternoon my sister Peggy and brother in law Dale arrived from North Central Washington. I had not seen my sweet sister in three years when we lost our beloved Mother. It had been too long and we had both experienced tremendous loss. Our dear Mother was an extraordinary in every possible way. It was a tender embrace and tears were shed. We decided we could not let this long of a period go by again, that we meant too much to each other. And heck we all love the outdoors and backpacking so there was no reason not to share the pursuit of steady footing via deeds in the great outdoors, something I refer to as ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’.

Early evening my friend Anthony, an expert backpacking aficionado having completing the PCT twice among other backpacking feats, arrived with another backpacking friend Katie. The 3 of us had another ambitious outing earlier in the year, The Lost Coast. It was great to see them and now our team was complete.

All of us lovers of nature were excited to hear more about the incredible journey we were about to embark upon. Anthony had been through this area before while tackling the 2,650 Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada.

We had a nice evening on the shores of Olallie Lake. The next morning we grabbed some coffee at the Olallie Lake Resort, (lol), chatted with some Through Hikers and then we were off on a Grand Adventure!

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure
YouTube Channel
Mt Jefferson Wilderness Trailhead
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“You just gotta keep living man, L I V I N.” – Matthew McConaughey

Anthony, Katie, Peggy & Dale, Photo complements of Anthony E. King Photography

Thanks for joining Anthony, Katie, Peggy, Dale, and I while ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’ in the Mt Hood National Forest at Olallie Lake. What a great meeting spot to set off on a glorious journey into the wilds of Oregon. As we loaded up our backpacks for some needed soul quenching, we at the same time unloaded the many burdens of everyday life. So peaceful and remote on Olallie Lake… So excited to hit the trail… Stay with us for our wilderness journey is about to begin. We look forward to sharing a taste of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness adventure with you in order to wet your appetite for your own adventure. Stay with us for the mountain trekking ahead by doing a couple easy tasks: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. Then if you will, checkout my Online SHOP APPAREL for top quality adventure wear that carries the mantra, the banner, the message, the logo: ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. That is what it is all about Profound Experiences in Nature to Balance home/work life with finding yourself, peace and harmony. Check the menu for the many places that PBTA travels to. Keep in mind that each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Mount Hood National Forest

Timberline Trail – Day 4

November 18, 2022 Roger Jenkins 2 Comments

MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST

Activity: Multi Day Backpacking Trip

42 miles, 10,630’ elevation gain, 4 days out, rated HARD

Date: 9/7-10/22

Day 4

11 Miles with 3993’ Elevation Gain

After a restful night, lulled to sleep by the sound of the tumbling water cascading down the face of Romona Falls, I packed up my tent and stuffed it into my backpack for the last time on this journey. I spent some time, before we set out on our final day of this spectacular trek around Mt Hood, sitting next to the glorious falls letting it’s magic envelop me.

I had an important task to complete, doctoring the blisters that I had undoubtedly received from miles of hiking in wet boots when we waded through the frigid water at Elliott Glacier Stream.

It would be a long hard day with the elevation gain being almost double that of any of the other days. There would be a long slog out of windy, dusty, canyons. We would experience more water crossings, one of which I decided that my best bet across the Zig Zag River was to do the standing broad jump from a rock to the shore with my heavy pack- and hooray, I stayed dry! There was more smoke in the sky from the nearby wildfires. But there were thick green forests to enjoy and handfuls of huckleberries to consume.

We maneuvered through a portion of forest with downed timber that we had to clamber over, under or around, and up a steep switch back trail. One spot seemed particularly treacherous with massive logs precariously perched above being held in place by saplings. It was quite unnerving to come around the bend and find trail all but wiped out by such a tree coming down the mountainside.

It was a bit worrisome to see large fallen trees precariously perched just above held in place by saplings.

It was tiring, it was hard, it was glorious! Finally late in the afternoon I spied a most welcome sight, that of the roof of the Timberline Lodge which signified the end of the fantastic journey.

What a wonderful four days that Anthony and I spend with Mother Nature on arguably the Best Hike in America, Timberline Trail.

‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ YouTube Channel. The best way to view a waterfall is with motion. CLICK THE PIC!

**“These type of adventures do a body good, but it is the soul that finds it most beneficial.” – Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure**

Thanks for accompanying my Through Hiker friend Anthony and I on this multi day backpacking extravaganza. Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 When you work hard toward a goal, but the reward of each step is profound beauty than it is not hard, it is soul nurturing. This my friends is what ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ is all about. Such a trek brings so much balance into the grind that can be everyday life. The circumnavigation of Mount Hood is a grind, but such a beautiful grind and I invite you to stay with PBTA because there is alway more. It is not the destination, but the journey that brings that balance. Stay tuned by completing these easy tasks: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. We all need to seek out more journeys. As an aid to your discovering your own expedition I invite you to go the menu above where I have categorized outings mostly by location. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. You will find Adventure Wear with the prized PBTA logo and mantra at SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Mount Hood National Forest

Timberline Trail Day 3

November 13, 2022 Roger Jenkins 2 Comments

MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST

Activity: Multi Day Backpacking Trip

42 miles, 10,630’ elevation gain, 4 days out, rated HARD

Date: 9/7-10/22

Day 3

12 Miles with 1950’ Elevation Gain

We awoke to once again to the bright blue bird, picture perfect, skies that we had become accustom to. However, as the day progressed we started getting smoke in the sky from nearby wildfires which would stick with us for the rest of our trip. Luckily it stayed high and we only experienced whiffs of smoke over the following days.

This was the first time that I had cell service in a couple days, so I checked in with my Safety Group that was following our expedition around Mount Hood. I informed them that even though I expected this journey to be tough, it was harder than I had anticipated, but oh so beautiful, and so worth the passage.

This day brought beautiful scenes of the top of Mount Hood peaking through the forests. There were more water crossings and lots of elevation gain however, this portion was much more of a descent, in fact the elevation lost was more than double.

Ladd Glacier Shelter on the Timberline Trail

There was another cool little survival shelter this one at Ladd Glacier.

**I saw a few long distance trail runners. To run 42 miles all at once seems crazy. He greeted me as he ran by, “I’m committed now!” Indeed he was as this was about the half way mark.**

I saw multiple long distance trail runners. To run 42 miles, and might I add with large elevation gains and descents, rough steep rocky trail, along with treacherous water crossings, all at once seems insane to me. I will point out that at least they don’t have to carry a heavy pack. But that is because they aren’t staying the night(s)! I snapped this picture of a runner who greeted me and as he passed by he exclaimed, “I am committed now!” Since this was about the halfway mark, he was indeed.

One of the special stops of this trek, around Mount Hood, is spectacular Romona Falls. Pictures and even the video don’t really capture it’s intoxicating enchantment. The lighting in the late afternoon was too bright for my pictures to be what I wanted, but I promise that the ones I took the following morning were better. I will save those for my Timberline Day 4 post. Hopefully you will feel an inkling of what quickly put me at ease enough that I forget my tired legs and blistered feet. In the mean time I borrowed a pic from Instagrammer Traci Wilgus for my cover shot. It was heavenly to drift off to dream land, in a such a dream land, to the sound of tumbling cascades of water.

**No, this is not a distortion in my picture… that was actually a rainbow in the mist.**
**How about that chasing waterfalls and rainbows all in one.**

The best way to see moving water is through moving pictures. CLICK THE PIC! Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel

**“Waterfall, nothing can harm me at all, my worries seem so very small, with my waterfall.**
**I can see my rainbow calling me through the misty breeze of my waterfall.” – Jimi Hendrix**

My friend Through Hiker Anthony King and I appreciate you joining us as we were ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ in the wild backcountry that is the Oregon’s fabulous Timberline Trail. Day 1, Day 2, Final DayThere is still yet one more day of this exploration so join us for the next episode by doing this: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you go up to the menu you will discover that Mt Hood, as splendid as it is, makes up only one wonder of a West that is full of wonders. The menu is categorized mostly by location and our hope is that it will inspire you to hit the trail, beach, river, lake or ocean so that you will be on a journey seeking that Balance that Nature surely helps bring back into our lives that so desperately need it. You will need Adventure Wear for this journey so check out PTBA SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Mount Hood National Forest

Timberline Trail Day 2

November 8, 2022 Roger Jenkins 3 Comments

MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST

Activity: Multi Day Backpacking Trip

42 miles, 10,630’ elevation gain, 4 days out, rated HARD

Date: 9/7-10/22

The first night on the mountain was awesome after a tough, but satisfying dance with nature all day on the Timberline Trail DAY 1. I always wanted to experience what I have seen in advertisements and that is pull back my tent flap and there before me is this outstanding view that just takes you aback. That is the experience I had on this morning.

Day 2

9.7 Miles with 1965’ Elevation Gain

Thursday Sept 8th. Another beautiful day Anthony and I hiked mostly above the timber, soaking up the sun, and the magnificent views not only of our mountain, but majestic Mt Rainer, stately Mt Adams, and once the most perfectly shaped mountain, the infamous Mt Saint Helens. We took our break at an awesome rock shelter at Cooper Spur.

**Mount Adams peaking through the evergreens.**

Really sketchy water crossing at Elliot Glacier Stream… Wading in thigh deep fast moving cold water can be a bit unnerving with a water fall drop just 15 yards away. The thought goes through your mind it should be fine, but what if it’s not? What if your feet get swept by the fast moving current and slippery rocks? The other thing is you are going to have soaked boots for as long as it takes for them to dry out, which ended up a long time. It turned out that it was fine. Except for the wet boots part… Then it was a crazy steep scramble out where everything was moving including chest size boulders. I cut my knee and shin on the scramble, so I either looked bad-ass or like a ding-dong with blood running down the length of my lower leg.

**Anthony recommended, “Keep moving and try not to die.”**

Then it was wildflowers, trees, and streams finishing up another 10 mile day with about 2,000’ elevation gain. We camped at Elk Cove with a sweet view of the mountain top beside a babbling brook.

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel. CLICK THE PIC!

**“Don’t die without embracing the daring adventure your life was meant to be.”**
**-Steve Pavlina**

My Through Hiker friend, Anthony, and I appreciate you tagging along as we found ourselves ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ on our epic adventure circumnavigating this wonderful mountain. You know everything gets ramped up a couple degrees when you have a heavy pack on. Of course the hiking, and climbing up a steep ravine with a big pack is difficult and is a given, but what I am referring in particular is hoping rocks, or a maneuvering across a log, or in the case of this day, slogging through Elliott Glacier Stream. What would have been no big deal with out a pack is totally different wading through the frosty water across slippery rocks with the power of the water pushing you as you fight to balance the heavy pack. But pushing yourself is a big part of what this adventure was about and is a big part of what ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ is. Getting outside of your comfort zone, finding out what you can do is important and it sure helps balance things out. Nature, Adventure, self discovery… it is what it is all about. Stay with us. We are only half way through this journey around this iconic mountain. COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. The menu above will take you to spots I cherish all across this great West of ours. It just might give you some inspiration and some ideas for your next outing in Nature. You can purchase some wonderful Adventure Wear for your outing at my SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Mount Hood National Forest

Timberline Trail Day 1

November 3, 2022 Roger Jenkins 5 Comments

MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST

Activity: Multi Day Backpacking Trip

42 miles, 10,630’ elevation gain, 4 days out, rated HARD

Date: 9/7-10/22

I soldiered through the blisters, blood, sweat and tears. The panting with each footfall became moaning with each step by each day’s end. The accomplishment of the endeavor and the beauty of the mountain made up for the pain and suffering which of course just added to the adventure of it all.

Although this was my most aggressive backpacking trip as far as days out, distance and elevation gain, I was with a fellow adventurer so at least I was not alone. The other person on the trek, a Through Hiker who has hiked over 800 miles on the AZ Trail this year and a year or so ago completed the PCT, is a hiking friend from LA. Anthony King a Bar Tender and Photographer flew in for the event and I picked him up at the Portland Airport. I have backpacked with Anthony once before. He is much younger than I so I was a little apprehensive about hiking with him, not wanting to hold him up. Turns out he hikes at his own pace. You either keep up or fall behind, your choice. So the way that we handled it was we hiked together some of the time, but generally we enjoyed oneness with the mountain. We met up for some of the breaks, as Anthony would take an extended break to allow me to catch up and I would have an abbreviated stop.

Day 1

10 Miles with 2,800’ Elevation Gain

Wednesday, Sept 7th, at 8AM we set out past Timberline Lodge to circumnavigate Oregon’s magnificent Mt Hood counterclockwise on the amazing Timberline Trail under mostly sunny skies. The days were to be mild and the nights just a little chilly so really tremendous conditions to take on one of the best backpacking trips in America. Meandering through fields of wildflowers, in and out of wooded areas, spectacular views of Mt Jefferson, passed a couple small crossings of rushing water and waterfalls was how we spent the day. Hoping across rocks is a little tricky with a heavy pack, but we managed to stay dry. Now we climb… 10 miles and over 2,800’ elevation gain much of it up loose, steep, sandy, and crumbly material known as scree. We bedded down past Lamberson Butte near an old shelter with unreal views of the peak of Mt Hood right out my tent flap.

Make sure to CLICK THE PIC and see the water features in motion.
Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel.

**Our Timberline Trail adventure began at Timberline Lodge.**

Rock hopping trying to keep my feet dry. (Photo by Anthony King)

Anthony crossing one of many water crossings along the Timberline Trail.

**The mountains! They call to us so we can conquer them. But in reality we conquer our fears, our struggles, our weakness, and we come out victors. Go conquer your mountain!**

Thanks for joining Anthony and I on this awesome adventure, the circumnavigation of Mount Hood where we found ourselves ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. This is the beginning of a four part expose of our backpacking trek of arguably the Best Hike in America. You can checkout Timberline Trail Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 here. You will want to stay tuned and you can do so by a few simple tasks: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you care to peruse the menu above you will discover that PBTA travels extensively throughout the great West in hopes of inspiration and recommendations of glorious outing in nature, as we can all use a little break from our everyday ho hum lives. If you have a thirst for top quality Adventure Wear then quench it at SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Day 4 & 5: Russell Lake – Cigar Lake – Olallie Lake

Day 3: Pamelia Lake to Russell Lake

Day 2: Park Ridge to Pamelia Lake

Day 1: Olallie Lake to Park Ridge

Olallie Lake PCT Trailhead

Day 4

11 Miles with 3993’ Elevation Gain

Day 3

12 Miles with 1950’ Elevation Gain

Day 2

9.7 Miles with 1965’ Elevation Gain

Day 1

10 Miles with 2,800’ Elevation Gain

Pursuing Balance through Adventure