Bugs and screens and beauty Oh MY!

Waddles and I had a grand adventure this past week.   I loaded up all my gear (it is very different packing for a few days rather than 5 weeks!), including my new side tent and my kayak and headed north in to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  We were heading for the annual gathering of retired co-workers at Takhlakh Lake/Campground.    The drive up was pretty nice.  The road is paved north from Trout Lake until the last 5 miles or so.

We stopped in at the Mt Adams Ranger District office to get some maps and information and then headed out.

Arriving at about 1:45 I was greeted by lots of biting flies, so it was a contest to see how quickly I could set up the side tent, which can be a completely inclosed screen tent.   I did it pretty darn fast!

Others arrived and we all settled in.    This lake is situated right at the edge of the Mt Adams Wilderness, and right at the base of the mountain.

We spent a lot of time sitting inside the screen tent that evening, visiting and staying away from the bugs, and it was PERFECT.

This guy was parked between the screen and the outside of the tent in the morning... anyone know what it is?  The body is about 1-1/4 inches long.   

Next day we all launched our various water craft on the lake and had a look around.  It was very peaceful, and though there were quite a few people on and around the lake it was quite quiet also.   We saw lots of ducks, a Bald Eagle, Osprey and jumping fish.

Dinner that night was a pot luck.  I had also brought a big screen tent that can be put over a picnic table, so we ate under that, which worked well.

Next morning, pretty early, we set out to hike up the Divide (or Devide, depending on which map you look at) trail, which ties into the Pacific Crest Trail.   The views and wildflowers were spectacular.  

We encountered one guy who was hiking the PCT in sections... this was year 19 of doing this.  Next year they will hike the final leg, north to the Canadian border.... 20 years to hike the entire length of the PCT.  Now that is my kind of goal.

A dip in the lake was in order after the 7-8 mile hike in the heat.   And then an evening float on the lake to watch the sun set on the mountain.

After 3 nights we packed up and headed back south.  A few of us stopped in Trout Lake for Huckleberry Milkshakes, and wonderful sandwiches. The place was hopping with diners, many of whom looked like they might be hiking the PCT.

I still love Waddles, and think we should go out more often!   She got a good bath, is tucked back into the garage and is ready to roll.