Home • Field Guide • Forums • Unread Posts • Maps • Find a Hike! • Search •

Portland Hikers Archive

XC skiing/Snowshoeing Trillium Lake 12/8/06 (No Pics)

Posted by hikingrandma (2006-12-09)

This will be a fairly short report because the trip was fairly short. Anyway, my friend Joyce and I arrived at the Trillium Lake SnoPark at about 10AM or so. Got our gear together and headed for the slope heading down to Trillium Lake. This was my first ever visit to the lake, so I didn't know what to expect. The snow was firmly packed and shiny (icy), so we walked down to where the groomed trails started. Just about everyone who was lucky enough to be out, walked down the steep access road.On good snow days, it is probable a nice run. Anyway, we donned our skis and headed out. Whoops!! my right ski slipped out from under me and I caught myself with the pole in my left hand and it jarred my left shoulder which is recovering from an injury (both shoulder are recovering from injuries), and pain engulfed me. You know the kind that makes you eithe want to throw up or pass out? I decided it was not a good idea to continue on skis, so I trudged back up the steep hill, back to the car, exchanged my skiis for my snowshoes and set off again. I always carry both just in case and Boy! was I glad I did.

I don't usually take my big ole camera when xc ski because I sometimes spend as much time in the snow as on it and don't want to get it wet.

The loop around the lake had good snow, albeit crusty and icy in many places. Joyce did really well, but I got the better workout. On skis, if you want to take a break, you can glide for a ways. I was surprized to find the lake with a good layer of ice covering it. I wouldn't advise anyone to walk out on it, but it was really beautiful. The sky was overcast, but Mt. Hood was plainly visible and very close. We could see what I guessed was a ski lift above where Timberline Lodge must be. I'm pretty unfamiliar with the area.

We took a quick lunch break along the lake and then completed the trek. The snow on what I think was the West side of the lake was much better, not as crusty or icy. I notices a snowshoes trail right along the lakeshore and thought it would be fun to explore, but Joyce was reluctant to try it on skis. Neither one of us are really good skiers. The route around the lake is fairly flat, so I was told. Hmm! Is that a long uphill I see ahead of me. What goes up must come down, right? However, the ascent and descent was pretty gradual. I mean, it wasn't straight down. We got back to the car at around 1:30. Had a party to go to in Portland!!

There are many side trails and roads to explore and I intend to go back and do some whether on skis or snowshoes. The weather doesn't look too hopeful for much new snow this coming week. If you believe the weather links, there is rain expected this week. However, every little inch counts and we have a lot of winter ahead of us.

We felt so lucky to be out on such a glorius day and with so few people. We saw more snowshoers than skiers.

On the way back to Portland, we stopped in Welches at my favorite coffee place. Don't know the name of it, but it is on the right side of the highway (heading West), is painted yellow and is really rustic inside. Got a latte (coffee - nectar of the gods) and headed back to get ready for the party.

Patty (hikingrandma)

Re: XC skiing/Snowshoeing Trillium Lake 12/8/06 (No Pics)

Posted by Bill Bens (2006-12-09)

hikingrandma:
.

On the way back to Portland, we stopped in Welches at my favorite coffee place. Don't know the name of it, but it is on the right side of the highway (heading West), is painted yellow and is really rustic inside. Got a latte (coffee - nectar of the gods) and headed back to get ready for the party. Patty (hikingrandma)

Sounds like Mt. Hood Roasters: http://www.mthoodroasters.com/RestaurantHome.htm

Hope your shoulder is feeling better.

Return to Portland Hikers Archive

Disclaimer: Information found on PortlandHikers.org and PortlandHikersFieldGuide.org is provided by website visitors and volunteers and should be considered anecdotal. All trails and directions and subject to current conditions. Trails and roads can be rerouted due to natural events and the website is not able to provide current information for every hike. Please verify against two other sources before planning a trip. Outdoor activities present inherent risks. Portlandhikers.org, nor any of its members, accept liability for injuries relating to information found on this website.