Speaking of swimming holes, here's a really great swimming hole I visited a few weeks ago ( 6/20). It's a special place and a long drive, but a great starting point for a weekend backpack.
I had planned to run a loop on the Chimney peak trail in the Middle Santiam Wilderness, but didn't get very far. This is a view on the way to the TH of the Middle Santiam river with Chimney peak protruding from the ridge. . and look, no clearcuts!!!! This area sticks out like a green thumb when viewed from Cone peak.
At less than a mile from the TH, you get to the river and the lovely Shedd Camp Shelter which sits above this amazing swimming hole. Scrambling around to take pics, I banged my knee hard enough to see stars, so I decided to have lunch and just go swimming instead. I spent two hours of heaven there.
I built some rock cairns and other sculptures, collected some pretty rocks including two big pieces of jasper, and I took a nap!!!
The shelter sits in the classic low elevation old growth of the area:
And here is the swimming hole just below the shelter:
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