Jefferson Wilderness Aug 11-15

[walrus]

95% incredible

• - 4% for the section of the Lake of the Woods trail between Bingham Ridge intersection and the lake itself, which lost all of its woods in the Puzzle fire - most of which appears to be lying as deadfall across crumbly trail

• -1% for mosquitoes (our own fault for venturing above 6,000 feet, really)

Started in fog and drizzle, frost on Monday morning and then just generally "nice" weather the rest of the week.

So many lakes and berries and vistas around every corner. Soul thoroughly replenished.

Question - there were approximately one bajillion tiny toads swarming the trails and shorelines near Marion Lake. Didn't get a non-blurry photo, they were maybe the size of a nickel and brown. Both in drier forest and near/in water, but didn't swim like a frog. Anyone know what they might be and why they were _everywhere_?

Park Ridge

Classic Jefferson Park

View from Hunt's Creek Trail

Lake of the Woods has lost its woods

Jorn Lake

Jorn Lake

Santiam Lake

sigh again with the random rotations, I apologize

[-Q-]

Did you happen to hike the Lake of the Woods trail from Bingham Ridge up to the PCT?? If so, wondering how conditions are?? The FS said that section of trail is totally unhikable due to deadfall. Thanks!!

[JustSomeHiker]

Did you happen to hike the Lake of the Woods trail from Bingham Ridge up to the PCT?? If so, wondering how conditions are?? The FS said that section of trail is totally unhikable due to deadfall. Thanks!!

I "hiked" the Lake of the Woods trail a couple weeks back and would agree with the forest service's assessment. That 1.5 mile stretch of trail between Lake of the Woods and Bingham Ridge is complete hell. It's more of an exercise in climbing under, over, and around downed trees than it is hiking. What little bit of trail remains is faint at best and it was not fun. Once you get past Bingham Ridge the trail to the PCT is great.

[-Q-]

[/quote]

Once you get past Bingham Ridge the trail to the PCT is great.
[/quote]

Great info, thanks!!
So the lake of the woods trail north from Bingham ridge to the PCT is good to go??

[walrus]

Above Bingham Ridge, the trail is in good shape and has lovely lakes and beautiful views as you come along the top of the ridge.

Between Bingham Ridge and Lake of the Woods, as JustSomeHiker said, is a miserable series of scrambles and slides and as close to "unhikable" as anything I've ever been on. Nothing completely impassible (yet), but SLOW going, unpleasant and as ugly as it is possible to be in such a beautiful area.

[-Q-]

Above Bingham Ridge, the trail is in good shape and has lovely lakes and beautiful views as you come along the top of the ridge.

Between Bingham Ridge and Lake of the Woods, as JustSomeHiker said, is a miserable series of scrambles and slides and as close to "unhikable" as anything I've ever been on. Nothing completely impassible (yet), but SLOW going, unpleasant and as ugly as it is possible to be in such a beautiful area.

Thanks so much for the clarifying info Walrus!!
This is really good to hear