Palmateer Point to Upper Twin Lake
It has been some time (Early Sept) since I have set foot on a trail. Ski season seems delayed , even more than last year. So I didn't want to sit around doing nothing on my day off. The big wind storm from last night had passed, so weather was potentially going to be ok. Maybe even a little snow (which did not happen). My goal was to hike to the Lower Twin Lake and Upper Twin Lake, with a chance of going to Palmateer point. The trail starts at the Frog Lake parking lot on HWY 26. I had heard of the lost hiker, Gerren Kirk, on the news and social media. I had read his car was found in the parking lot where I wanted to start my hike. I pulled into the parking area and the entire lot was full of search and rescue people and vehicles. I stopped and asked the Sheriff if the Twin Lake trail was open, and he said no. The Hiker was last known to be across the Hwy south of the area, so not sure why the trail was closed. I knew there was a back way in at Barlow Pass. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through there and connects to the area I wanted to hike. So I went there and started my trek in reverse. Here is the map of the area . The day was very grey and dark. Temp around 35 deg. The PCT trail had some snow on it, as other side trails I took. Not that much to really slow me down. The snow depth should be around two to three feet this time of year there. Doing this hike in reverse was fun. There were no views to be seen, because of the low hanging clouds, but being out in the area and breathing all the fresh air felt so good. At times there were snow flurries falling, which gave me hope that Ski season will start soon. I arrived at Palmateer Point and the views were no where to be seen. I didn't stay there long, and I headed to Upper Twin Lake. With all the warm weather we have been having, I was very surprised to find the lake frozen. It was very peaceful except for the birds that were dive bombing me when I was cooking my lunch. They were trying to steal my food. They finally got the hint I was not sharing. They need to fend for themselves, or they will not survive out there. I circled the lake and headed out a different trail that led back to the PCT. The entire hike, I thought of the missing hiker. Praying that he is safe. He has been missing over a week. I don't know how folks can come up missing in that area. The trail system is very well marked and many forest roads too. I have a bad feeling that something happened to him accidentally or purposely. I hope neither. I know the searchers had info (a cell ping) south of Hwy 26, but I was hoping that I would be walking along and I would see the hiker on the trail I was on. When I hike, I give details of where I am going to more than one person. I pack heavy with extra food and clothing. I also got my Ham license this year and carry a ham radio as backup. There is a repeater on Mt Hood that rebroadcasts over a very large area. So if cell service is bad, the radio is great backup. I test it about every time I am out hiking to get a feel for its range. I talked to a guy down on 70th and Powell in SE Portland today, during my hike. So it was good knowing that it works. I also use APRS. It is a method of transmitting your location via Ham Radio and it is posted on a website. Check it out here. I feel that I am well prepared when out hiking. My day pack weighs a ton, but if something were to happen, I know I would be prepared. Plus, lugging the extra weight around helps burn calories and conditions my legs for skiing :)
The pesky birds. I think they were following me the entire hike.
Leading up to Palmateer Point. Notice the low hanging clouds.
Palmateer Point. The ridge across is fully engulfed in clouds. It was a cool scene.
I was actually surprised to see as much snow as I did. Considering the warm season we have had so far. Normally this time of year, at this elevation of 4500' , there is about 2ft of snow. This is the second season in a row the snows have not fallen :(
Half of the route I took was on the PCT. Normally, there are trail blazes that are not made of wood. The ones in the section I hiked are made of wood and are very nice looking.
The birds would sit in this tree. Sometimes 5 or 6 watching me.
Upper Twin Lake frozen over.
This is from the campsite the kids and I camped at during the summer. No swimming today.
So the entire day on my hike, there were low clouds. No views of Mt Hood. But of course, as I pull into the White River parking area, there he is. Too bad the ski areas do not have as much snow as the top does.
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