I'm planning a 2-3 night backpacking trip into the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness in the next month or so, probably into Jefferson Park. Just wondering if any of the lakes up there are better than others with regards to avoiding crowds, or should I just plan to camp away from the lakes? I'll be trying for mid-week so hopefully that will help a little, but any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Usually it is not too busy up there, you will probably be able to find a camp site near a lake. I like Bays Lake, and Scout Lake myself, but all of them are awesome. You will absolutely love it up there. I may be heading up there myself in August, I have a feeling there is still quite a bit of snow up there. Enjoy it, it is one of my all time favorite places to backpack.
Posted by Mike Stovall on July 4, 2008 at 12:49 PM
As of 6-27:
"Significant snow accumumulation down to 4000 ft. Still completely under 6-10 feet of snow. Lakes are still mostly frozen."
It is usually updated once a week. The phone number to the Detroit Ranger Station is also at the top of that page.
I was up during peak season last year on a weekend and there were plenty of campsites available, however, Scout Lake itself was at capacity. But even at capacity it's hardly crowded. The sites are spaced far enough apart from each other. On another trip I think there was only one other couple in the whole of J. Park.
Mike and Zack - thanks for the feedback and heads-up on the conditions. I may do a dayhike in a couple of weeks just to scout it out, then follow on with the backpacking trip. I appreciate the bug juice reminder - I rarely needed it in CO and doubt I even have any in my pack anymore; I think I got spoiled!
Discussion
4 repliesThanks in advance!
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/general/detroit/wboard.php
As of 6-27:
"Significant snow accumumulation down to 4000 ft. Still completely under 6-10 feet of snow. Lakes are still mostly frozen."
It is usually updated once a week. The phone number to the Detroit Ranger Station is also at the top of that page.
I was up during peak season last year on a weekend and there were plenty of campsites available, however, Scout Lake itself was at capacity. But even at capacity it's hardly crowded. The sites are spaced far enough apart from each other. On another trip I think there was only one other couple in the whole of J. Park.
Don't forget your bug juice!