Ann Marie has been following along a Pacific Crest Trail through hiker's journey on the internet. This hiker is hiking to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis research. Megan Rose's father spent many years teaching her about the outdoors. He was diagnosed with MS and hasn't been healthy enough to continue being outdoors with her. She has been blogging her journey here http://ms-megaventure.blogspot.com/ . In some ways I am like her father and sharing the outdoors and adventures with my kids. Ann Marie was inspired to try backpacking by reading Megan's blog. She wanted to hike somewhere the Pacific Crest Trail passes through. So that is another reason I picked Twin Lakes. The start of the hike includes a couple miles of the PCT. So Ann Marie got her wish. She was so excited to set foot on the trail. I don't know if she will ever be a through hiker, but she is learning much about the trail.
Michael, the big brother (Born 10 min before Ann Marie) had backpacked last year. So he is an expert. Or so he will tell you :) He helped Ann Marie understand what backpacking is like and shared his experiences from last year. He explained how to start a camp fire and what tools to use.
The Twin Lakes Trail http://www.nwhiker.com/MHNFHike54.html has a gentle climb to it. At some point, we broke away from the PCT to the lakes. Ann Marie said her goodbyes to the PCT. We took a few breaks along the way to the upper lake. One break was at the lower lake. Ann Marie took time out to take several selfies. And of course, Michael tried his best to photo bomb her. We made it to the upper lake and walked along the perimeter trail around the lake in search of a camp site. I was surprised that there were no other campers in the area. We settled on a very nice location across from where the main trail approached the lake.
We set up camp and discussed what our plans will be. We decided not to do any day hikes until Sunday (the next day). My goal was to reach Palmateer Point. A few mile hike from camp. You will see in the pics below our hike to the point. Being camped out at the lake, there was plenty of entertainment playing in the water.
We didn't eat traditional dehydrated food which is typical for backpackers. I bought Knorr Pasta Sides. Uncle Ben's Wild Rice. Turkey sausage. Salami . Tuna Salad pouches. Oatmeal. Granola. Wheat Flat Bread. Honey Buns and of course Snickers.
The backpacking trip was a success. The kids are already anxious to get back out on the trail for a new adventure. And of course, I will oblige.
At the trail head and on the PCT.
About to leave the PCT to Twin Lakes.
Lower Twin Lake
Our campsite at Upper Twin Lake
Ann Marie imitating a tree.
Our own private dock. The lake is very shallow all the way across.
Who needs computer games when you have fire :)
Sunday Morning. There was a fog over the water, but didn't capture it well.
Sunday, on our way to Palmateer Point. A turn out off the trail brought us to a cliff over looking Mt Hood.
If the Upper Lake Campgrounds were busy, I would have chosen this meadow as an alternate. It was about 1 mile from where we camped.
On Palmateer Point, there were wild flowers painting the landscape.
Nature Chair on Palmateer Point.
Our camp from across the Upper Lake.
Across the Upper Lake, this is the view of Mt Hood.
Both days we saw one lone duck. He looked lonely. We named him Freddie.
Wild flowers on the way to Palmateer Point.
Barlow Butte across from Palmateer Point.
Mt Hood from Palmateer Point.
More wild flowers. The technical name for them, yellow flowers :)
The kids exploring Palmateer Point. That ridge in the distance is much farther away than this picture shows. But it felt like we could reach out and touch it.
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