Mt Jefferson
Wendi graciously invited me along on her backpacking trip into Jefferson Park with Cece and Joe.
Mt Jefferson from the PCT.
We hiked in on the Whitewater Creek trail to the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and on to Russel Lake. This where we set up our base camp for the extended weekend.
Looking across Russel Lake to Park Ridge from our camp.
looking back to Mt Jefferson from our camp.
Joe proceeded to go for a swim in the frigged lake, while the rest of us setup camp and tried to relax while fighting off the mosquitoes. After dinner is when things started getting exciting. While setting up a bear line to hang our food, the rope got hung up in the tree. As I pulled it loose from the tree it dislodged its self, flying back and splitting my head open with the carabiner clipped to the end of the rope. Wendi helped doctor me up while Cece and Joe went back to their game of cribbage.
Cece, Wendi, and Dakota on our way up Park Ridge.
The next morning we made our way up Park Ridge. Unfortunately somewhere along the way we lost the trail. So we ended up bushwhacking our way up the to the top of the ridge. This turned out to be a little hard on Dakota (Wendi's dog).
View of Mt Jefferson from the top of Park Ridge.
By the time we got back to camp, the pads of Dakota's paws were pretty tore up and blistered. We were even thinking we may have to carry Dakota out the next morning. Dakota was a trooper, and pushed on despite the pain.
_
The next morning, we all made it back to civilization and the 103 degree weather. This was a fun trip despite the injuries. I'm looking forward to the next adventure.
