Oregon Hikers

Hey all, mean to get this posted yesterday. I started out about 2:45pm on Saturday up the Gumjawac Saddle Trail off 35 headed towards Badger Lake to spend the night. Trail was lovely as we had no real smoke up in that area on Saturday. Views were beautiful of Mt Hood and Looking towards Adams. Arrived at the top of the ridge about 4pm. This being my first time on this trail, I was greeted with the Gumjawac Saddle Sign-age and confusion as to which trail I was to take. Checked my map, and headed down what I thought was the right trail, only to find, I had continued down the Gumjawac trail, instead of heading right and taking the trail towards Badger Lake. I ended up following this all the way through to the Badger Creek trail, and followed this with much bush whacking and finally arived at my destination of Badger Lake about 7pm. Tired and hungry, I made camp in one of the campsites on the south-west side of the lake and enjoyed a hot meal and some coffee before heading to bed. Tempature was great only about 58 for the low that night, woke up the next morning to eat a Colorado omelette, and some more coffee before breaking camp and heading back to my truck. The morning hike was wonderful taking the "right" trail back up the ridge. sun was shinning with a slight breeze to cool me off from the morning heat as I headed back. All and all it was a great hike. Learned some things as well for my future long distance hikes. I hiked this solo, but am always up for welcoming some trail friends that might want to join me for future endeavors

Did you have any noisy neighbors at Badger Lake? Since there is road access I've heard that lake can attract target shooters and loud partying drinkers.

When I arrived, there was a Family camped right next to the trail, and it looked like there was 6 or so different camps on the east side of the lake that were occupied. I didn't hear to much noise, it did sound like someone was firing off a .22 when I first got there, and someone chopping on a tree, but that didn't last long. I did here some laughing and such as night fell, but for the most part it was really quite and peaceful. I could see it bringing some different crowds up there which could cause issues, but I was glad my trip was overall great!

I've never gone to Badger Lake that way, I've always hiked up Badger Creek, mostly because I tend to go early season and the east melts out early since it is low altitude. Going your way drops you at the west end of the lake, farther from the road and car camping.