Tag Archives: Lake

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!

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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

Peak Bagging

Mount McLoughlin

October 22, 2021 Roger Jenkins 3 Comments

Winema National Forest / Sky Lakes Wilderness

Activity: Backpacking, Peak Bagging

Fish Lake to Mount McLouglin Summit: 9,495’ elevation, Distance: approximately 17 miles, over 5,000’ elevation gain, 12 hour duration, rated VERY HARD

Date: 10/6-8/21

Mount McLoughlin is located in Southern Oregon. It lies south of Crater Lake and well North of Mount Shasta in Northern California which can easily be seen from the summit. Mount McLoughlin is a steep sided dormant volcano, part of the High Cascades Volcanic Arc and dominates the Medford Oregon horizon.

The area is heavily forested, and the journey along the well kept trail is absolutely gorgeous. It is a steady incline which becomes steeper and rockier about a third of the way in, but let me assure you that is only the beginning. The last 20% of this adventure is rock scrambling up talus broken boulders and at the very top portion of this trek add scree, which at least made the climb something different.

The altitude was beginning to affect me making it more difficult for me to catch my breath, and tiring me out quicker, making it necessary for me to take frequent breaks for a moment or so. However, this provided an excellent chance to enjoy the breathtaking views. (Breathtaking… notice my choice of words there?) Once above the tree line a blanket of green lay out before us with multiple blue lakes dotting the landscape.

We made it to a view point that provided stunning views of wilderness far and near. We were filled with awe and delight of the bowl area with it’s hues of beige, tan, and brown. We then cast our eyes on high, above the bowl to the massive jagged peaks of Mount McLoughlin. At that point I found looking up at the lonely rugged peaks quite discouraging as it made it quite plain just how far we still had yet to go.

My Through Hiker buddy Ahmed fresh from a few weeks on the trail, plus much younger than I, was starting to realize that this pace was not what he was accustom to. I finally signaled him to just go on ahead, and take my iPhone mostly for picture opportunities, but also GPS Location and what normally would have been GPS Tracking.

You see in an effort to introduce me to the ulta-lite world of a Through Hiker, all well intended I might add, costly errors were made. One such mistake was my two battery packs were shed from my pack. Ahmed’s iPhone died and he did not have his ultra light battery as it turned out, so we were rationing the usage of my iPhone only turning it on and checking my GPS APP occasionally. To see the other hardships emptying my pack put us in go to my ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure Hiking and Backpacking 101’ post ”When a Through Hiker Repacks Your Pack”.

It seemed no matter how much climbing I did the peak was only getting further and further away. Disheartened I signaled Ahmed on the rocks up above that I was done. However… I hate quitting so I thought I might as well continue on at a more meager pace in the mean time as Ahmed kept climbing for the summit. After awhile I saw that the boulders changed to scree, while not optimal hiking it was different and I needed the break of at least different both mentally as well as physically.

Finally I came up over a rise hoping this wasn’t another false top with still further to trudge, but there was Ahmed setting up a summit photo shoot. We celebrated that we had both accomplished the mountain top goal! He made a point that because it was hard it felt like we had done something special. Of course, we were only half done with the adventure and since the footing was treacherous going down it would still be slow going until the path leveled out far below. (For the rest of the story and the difficulty we placed ourselves in see: “When a Through Hiker Repacks Your Pack.”)

The views from the summit of this rugged mountain were superb, shadows of mountains in the distance including Mount Shasta, multiple blue lakes, and wonderful wilderness, as far as the eye could see, filled the senses. We had indeed done something special.

**“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” – Edward Abbey**

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel

Thanks for joining Ahmed and myself as we found ourselves ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ atop Mount McLoughlin. Ahmed purposely made our trek more of an adventure adding miles on, but when that was coupled with a few unforeseen errors, (See “When a Through Hiker Repacks Your Pack”), it fell just short of an Ordeal. I discovered that the difference between Ordeal and Adventure is Attitude. As I struggled up the mountain I did not always have the best attitude, but I never gave up and because of this I found some of that needed balance that we seek when stepping out of the anxiety of our everyday existence and into a world of wonder that profound experiences in Nature provides. For more journeys into the wilderness, and thus journeys into ourselves stay tuned by doing these simple tasks: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. For other locations that PBTA travels to please see the menu above. Each is location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. For high quality adventure wear please see the PBTA Store SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Uncategorized

Waldo Lake

August 3, 2020 Roger Jenkins 2 Comments

WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

WALDO LAKE WILDERNESS

Activity: Kayaking, Scenic Views

Date: June 3, 2020

What a wonderful day to be experiencing Oregon at it’s best. I joined my good friend and Fraternity Brother Bruce for several days of journeying into incredible beauty, as he hosted these first days of Summer “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“. Our days were filled with some of the bluest skies you’ll ever see, stunning views of the snow capped Cascade Mountains and on this day from a kayak, surrounded by deep sapphire blue water.

Waldo Lake is the second largest and second deepest natural lake in Oregon. It’s waters are some of the purest and cleanest on earth. On a calm day it is said that you can see over 100 feet deep. The lake is a little less than 6 miles long by 3 miles wide, and the nearest major city is Eugene about 70 miles south. Waldo Lake is surrounded by thick, green, lush forests of Douglas Firs and Western Hemlock, and it is a perfect spot for hiking, mountain biking, camping, swimming and kayaking.

It was early in the season, as we did hit a few patches of snow driving along our route, but it was crazy that we had this big beautiful lake all to ourselves. We launched from Shadow Bay and we only saw a few other people- some hikers and a mountain biker. There was a light, but building breeze as we paddled through the indigo water, and took in views of the mountains to include Broken Top, South Sister and Middle Sister. We headed across the lake against the wind thinking if it really came up strong that it would be at our back for our return trip. We also figured that once we got to the other shore the forest would provide a wind break as well. We put in some miles as we struck out for Rhododendron Island which wasn’t in bloom, but full of natural beauty just the same. We circumnavigated the small island taking pictures and video to recreate Bruce’s daughter‘s perfect day, which the two experienced last year together.

If timing is everything then it sounds like we hit the nail on the head. Not only was the weather perfect, but it sounded like we dodged a bullet. We kayaked Hosmer Lake earlier in the morning, and met a Stand Up Paddle Boarder that told us his favorite lake was Waldo Lake because of it’s vast beauty and it’s deep blue water, but that he would never go there again due to the mosquitos. Well, we seemed to have escaped that issue. We experienced none of that, although we did bring the insecticide and head nets. The hikers we encountered in the parking lot, who make this an annual pilgrimage, said that this is the perfect time to come. It is all timing when everything just opens up with the snow melt and before the mosquitos are out in force.

The water was amazing, the scenery was stunning, the exercise was perfect, recanting our college days was awesome, what a great time! When can we do it again?

The pictures you always hear don’t do the experience justice, nor does video clips, but video is a little closer because of the moment of water.

We launched into Waldo Lake out of Shadow Bay.

Bruce lands his kayak on Rhododendron Island.

Thanks for joining Bruce and I as we paddled- “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“, on this pristine and gorgeous lake in the Wilds of Central Oregon. It doesn’t matter the question a little wilderness is the answer. Good, friends, paddles, blue sky, blue water- “Ya’ Just Gotta Love It!“ Bruce and I still have adventures left to put to pen. So make sure that you COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE– you don’t want to miss a single moment to be inspired by nature. Hopefully this will get you out there in the wilderness taking it all in. It’s good for the soul. Need a hat like my PBTA logo cap? The answer is yes you do, lol. SHOP APPAREL. Need adventure? Again same answer- yes you do, so go to the menu- there are suggestions for adventures all over the West. Each of the locations has a separate website and you should check them out. They all need to be FOLLOWED independently.

See you in the great outdoors,

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Uncategorized

Hosmer Lake

June 15, 2020 Roger Jenkins 4 Comments

DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST

Activity: Kayaking, Scenic Views

Date: June 3, 2020

Hosmer Lake sits at about 5,000 feet above sea level and is 20 miles from Bend and what a magnificent body of water. The water is so clear that my friend Bruce was pointing out salmon, and trout like crazy. But we were there to take in some other sites, which were wondrous at every bend.

We were graced by the regal Mt Bachelor, the breathtaking South Sister, and the wild Broken Top all while paddling on beautiful blue water, surrounded by dark green forest, passing vibrant lily pads with bright yellow blossoms, shoreline adorned with fragrant flowers, under a crystal clear sky. It really was spectacular.

Just as Bruce was exclaiming how lucky we were to have this special scene without the crowd, people started arriving and by the time we left the small parking area was just about full. So, the ticket is like so many places arrive earlier paddle around the many twists and turns through marsh and lily pads to the other side of the lake and enjoy.

Apparently there is good fishing on Hosmer Lake.

**“A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.” – Henry David Thorea**

Thanks for joining Bruce and I as we paddled through superb natural surroundings with brilliant views of the Oregon Cascades while “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“. We could have not asked for a more perfect day to take in these astounding views. What a nice way to step out of the chaos of deadlines, boardrooms, phone calls, sales quotas, and budgets, and into the realm of her majesty, Mother Nature, how calming, how peaceful, and tranquil. We need to embrace nature as much and as often as we can because that is a wonderful way to find that balance that we all seek. There is more balance ahead so please COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW, and by all means SHARE. Gear up at SHOP APPAREL. Checkout the menu above for a place to find adventure by the way, they are all independent sites from each other, divided by area, and need to be followed separately.

Paddle Hard,

Roger Jenkins, Pursing Balance Through Adventure

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Crater Lake

February 22, 2020 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

NATIONAL PARK

I spent 3 magnificent days hiking and backpacking at this national treasure, staring into a blue that can be found no where else, taking hundreds of pictures, basically because I had found myself bewitched by the unmatched beauty of the sight before mine eyes. Crater Lake is a magical place.

I invite you to join my soul-stirring journey ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ to arguably the most aesthetically pleasing lake in the world, Crater Lake. It’s luminous sky and mesmerizing ‘Crater Lake Blue’ will wash over you, kindling a feeling of peace and tranquility.

You can find my Crater Lake Adventures with these links to my sister site: National Parks Hiking ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure‘:

Discovery Point Trail

Garfield Peak Trail

I hope you enjoyed the links to my exploration of Crater Lake. I have more than a dozen ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ websites and if you go to the above menu you can do some exploring of your own. These are all separate sites and thus need to be followed separately. If you would like to support both ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure as well as get some great top quality workout, adventure, casual wear then checkout Shop Apparel. Please COMMENT, LIKE. FOLLOW and SHARE.

Happy Trails,

Roger Jenkins, ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’

Special Thanks to Wick Smith of BTOPhotos.com for allowing me to use his professional photo of Crater Lake as the feature photo. He has many beautiful photos from all over the country that I implore you to enjoy on his site. Wick Smith is a Hobie Cat racing friend of mine, another adventurous hobbie of mine.

Uncategorized

Todd Lake Loop Trail

January 18, 2020 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST

NEAR BEND OREGON

Activity: Day Hike

Date: August 29, 2019

Distance > 2 miles, 82’ elevation change, 90 minutes duration, rated Easy

When I arrived at Todd Lake I knew there was a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. I thought that I could get in and out of this hike quickly before the storm. When I arrived there were nice views of the lake and the neighboring mountains Broken Top and Mount Bachelor. There was a little sun beaming through the clouds, but all of that was about to change. Quickly clouds rolled in masking the mountain views, a few claps of thunder, a flicker of lightening and then the heavens opened up and I got a pretty healthy down pour. I was prepared in my sailing foul weather gear jacket so there was nothing to do but enjoy Oregon’s “liquid sunshine” after all that is why everything is so plush and green.

Hearing the rain on the lake, seeing the puddles collect on the trail, feeling the damp air, the breeze through the firs, the scent of freshness mixed with a dank whiff of wet decaying wood really lets you experience the Oregon Wilderness.

Trailhead parking is $5 unless you have a NW Forest Pass or other excepted annual passes. Todd Lake is a great little hike for the whole family. Very scenic even on a stormy day, so I can only imagine how beautiful it would be on one of the picture perfect Blue Bird Central Oregon days. The trail is delightfully forested, with views of the lake and mountains. On the far end is sort of a marsh meadow area. I found what I will call a little feeder stream filled with tadpoles. Fun little hike.

Todd Lake with Broken Top in the background

**“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.” -Vivian Greene**

Todd Lake with Mount Bachelor in the background

Todd Lake, in the Deschutes National Forest, is a great place to be ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’, won’t you join me next time for another journey? You can do so by FOLLOWING, SHARING, LIKING, and COMMENTING.

Happy Trails, Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Additional Video Clips from Todd Lake

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Tam McArthur Rim Trail

December 10, 2019 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

SISTERS, OREGON

DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST- THREE SISTERS WILDERNESS

Activity: Day Hike

Date: August 24, 2019

5+ miles, 1,276’ elevation gain, 3 hour duration, rated Moderate

Tam McArthur Rim is a must do, but then again there are some many stupendous hikes in this area, can you really say that? One thing is for certain if you venture to the Rim the only thing that you will be sorry about is that you did not do this earlier.

I drug my friend and fraternity brother Marcus Walker away from his work, (as owner of Secure Storage with 6 locations including local Bend, and Redmond, btw no finer storage), to guide me to a captivating view of the Cascade Mountain Range as we clambered atop Tam McArthur Rim near Sisters Oregon.

The trailhead is across from Three Creek Lake, which looks like a delightful place to spend the day boating, swimming or fishing. We were entering into the Three Sisters Wilderness area of the Deschutes National Forest and we were able to fill out the necessary permit right at the trailhead. It is a moderate hike through green pines and when you get to the top, an elevation of 7,732’, you have a multitude of mountains to enjoy. Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top, Three Sisters, Mt Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Mt Jefferson, and Mt Hood, on display in all their splendor.

I whole hardly recommend this hike. I need to mention the top is snow free only a few months out of the year, so you will need to plan accordingly, but in late August it was a marvelous hike.

**When I saw the mountains my weight lifted and my restless spirit calmed. I knew this was were I belong.**

A long distance shot of me standing on Tam MacArthur Rim.

Thanks for joining Marcus and I ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ on Tam McArthur Rim in Sisters, Oregon with an outstanding views of the Cascades. You do not want to miss the next episode of Oregon Hiking so take a moment and LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, AND SHARE.

Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

It was a little windy, but Marcus, after complaining about me dragging him up the mountain on the opening day of college football goes on to name the Cascade Mts in view from the Rim.

Olallie Lake PCT Trailhead

Pursuing Balance through Adventure