Day 19.10-13 Crescent Lake to Elk Lake

My journal has few notes for this trip, so I will just give an overall summary.

I skied 57 miles, but 10 of those were exiting east to Mt. Bachelor. Temps were mild, ranging from upper 20’s to lower 50’s. I stayed mostly on snowmobile trails because I wanted to go as fast as possible in preparation for the Sisters and Jefferson wilderness areas and to verify an easy, safe route.

The major problem was that the forecast, which had changed from good to fair before I started, had further degraded to poor. After two and a half days getting to Elk Lake, the heavy wet snow started 10 minutes before I arrived at the lodge. Silly me, I thought it would stop in an hour, but it continued more on then off for the next two days, burying the mountains in another foot. I was almost up to Wickiup Plain at the foot of South Sister when I found cell service. My wife looked up the weather report and conditions made it believe. I had to turn around before stranding myself in the middle of the wilderness.

I was warm as long as I was moving, but when I returned to an open outhouse and spread out my stuff I found several damp spots, including one inside my “waterproof” backpack. Still can’t explain that one, but I was thankful I had been out there only 2 hours and not 2 days.

Even though I am writing this a few weeks after the trip, I still feel frustrated. Weather forecasts are made for the nearest major towns, which are at lower elevations. This means the actual weather in the mountains will be more unpredictable, i.e. worse. I think my route has removed the danger, but definitely not the difficulty. Oh well, learning opportunities! I’m still thankful for the peace and space and time with my Father.