PNWNP Fall Outing--Trout Lake October 16?

Erik and I were thinking it would be fun to get a group together for a Fall Color outing, say in October or November. Something in the PNW, Washington or Oregon and just over a weekend so no one would need to miss work.

In the past we've done The Columbia Gorge, Mount Hood, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and Silver Falls State Park. Not sure when the colors will hit, or even if this will be a good year, but what do you all think?

The only weekend I can't make is the first one in October, but the rest of the month and early November would work nicely.

Post your ideas here and will try to come to a consensus

We're looking forward to ideas, itineraries, and dates.

Erik and David

I'm game. Weekends are sometimes iffy, but I have no real commitments at this point and can plan around the outing if I know in advance. Mt Hood (Tamanawas Falls is nice), Silver Falls, Gorge all sound good to me. What about something like the Japanese Garden? I think there is a fee if you bring a tripod, but it might not be much.

At this point in time, I'd be available for pretty much any weekend in that time period. As far as locations go I'd be fine with any of the areas we'd hit before, or perhaps something new. I've seen some nice color driving through the Santiam area. What about the Metolius river area? I have no idea what that is like in the fall, so anyone who has shot it more often might know. Maybe something on the Washington side again.

I'm up for about anything.

The Conboy area, Trout Lake and areas around Mt Adams offer some great aspen opportunities. I think there are a few parks there as well. You are talking about 1/2 hr or less from Hood River
This is one such place....

Wrapping over to the Klickitat from Trout lake can be marvelous as well. I'd love to join if the schedule permits.

Too far out to say for certain, but I'm 90% sure I could make it. In June I drove from Hermiston to Mitchell and the scenery through the Umatilla Nat. Forest was gorgeous. A nice mixture of deciduous and evergreens, bluffs and meadows. Unforunately it was mid-day when I passed through so I didn't stop. It might yield some nice color, and I saw more mule deer in one day (mostly bucks sporting velvet) than...well it was unbelievable. Of course, they'll be long gone by then. But that might be a long drive for some, including yours truly.

I'd be interested in either OR or WA (maybe BOTH =). Oct 2-3, 16-17, 30-31 and Nov 13-14, 27-28 are open for me.

Kevin

Sounds awesome to me....be fun to do something different than my usual fall colors routine

Mike

I'll third the Trout Lake area and would
Make any of the trip(s) providing I am not
On call the time(s) decided upon.

I'll vote for the Trout Lake area.

Ok, general consensus seems to be Trout Lake. I'd like to suggest a day trip perhaps following the Saturday itinerary on the last outing we had: Fall Color 2007. That trip started out at the Mt Adams Ranger Station, Trout Lake, Washington. We can meet there at 6:30am and go from there...

The next decision is what day to pick...Looks like either the first weekend of October (2nd or 3rd), or the third weekend (16th, or 17th) would work for most of us...the trick is to pick the weekend with peak color.

So, are we ok for just a one day trip, or do you want to stay over somewhere? And, which weekend would work best for folks?

2nd and 3rd would be the only one that will work for me (on call the rest of the month, so I will be out on any other days).

Either works for, and day trip is more family friendly (i.e. easier to leave the family behind ;-)

I'm game...but wouldn't the choice of weekend be heavily dependent on when fall color arrives in the area?

You're right, James. And if we choose just a day trip as seems to be the way we're going, it will be easier to schedule based on fall color...so let's all stay tuned...

I should be good either weekend (as it looks right now anyway). I would probably only be able to one of the two weekend days, but it doesn't matter which one. If it looks like the color isn't going to be there on that first weekend, I'd be happy to delay things.

I'm definitely interested. Either weekend looks good to me at this point.

Hey folks, I was just logging in to invite you to meet up with Brian and I in Trout Lake the first weekend in October. This is my favorite place for Fall color. The first week of October is very consistantly the peak color for 90% of that area. By November there is virtually nothing left.

Some suggestions for places get pics:

- Trout Lake Creek Bridge. Just north of the Chevron Station. Instead of following hwy 141 around rthe corner, go straight onto Mt Adams Rd. About 100 yards past the Chevron Station is the bridge. The color does seem to take a bit longer (about a week or so) to peak here. Ask the folks at Kelly's Trout Creek B&B for access to the creek. They are happy to let photographers have access, but they do appreciate being asked. The other side of the creek is an elderly lady (I don't recall her name) who is accomodating as well, but personally, I think the best comps are on the north side.

- Ice Cave Day Use Area - This spot is like an ocean of Vine Maple. I've gotten most of my favorite shots by wandering through the picnic area (it used to be a campground). Just follow hwy 141 untill you see the sign for The Ice Cave. 141 gives way to FR24 as you enter the forest.

- Natural Bridges (aka The Big Trench) - a few miles past the Ice Cave. Again just watch for the sign. This is a collapsed lava tube with a few sections left that form bridges over the resulting trench. The leaves inside the trench will be gone by October first. They are probably at peak right now, but definitely by this coming weekend. However there is a maze of berry-picking trails and remnants of logging roads through the area. The VM is less dense here, making great opportunities for more open shots of isolated bushes.

- The area north of Trout Lake Creek bridge is also heavily populated with vine maple, but I haven't explored that area as much. Something I plan to do this year.

- For an excellent Day loop through the area: After visiting Natural Bridges and the Ice Cave, continue on the 24 road to 8821. Note that 24 takes a sharp turn to the north at the Peterson Prairie junction. Take 8821 north to 88, turn left onto 88 and folow it to FR90. Take 90 east to the 23 road, and follow 23 south to return to trout lake. About a hundred yars or so after you turn onto 23, watch the left for Big Spring Creek Falls. If you've never been there, you must stop and visit this waterfall and hike to the upper tier. It's best to take a map with you for this trip because it's easy to get off route, especially on the 88 road. 88 winds around like a rope that's been tossed on the ground.

good luck! I'll be in the area Oct 2, 3, 4, and 5. Give me a jingle on my cell if you want to grab a beer or sit down for lunch, or just get your berrings.
area code 503
prefix 351
number 2293
-CK

Oh and I almost forgot, visit the lake itself. Trout Lake is a dying Lake that is mostly marsh at this point, but you can still catch reflections of Mt Adams if the conditions are right. turn right onto Lake Rd just past the Ranger Station on the west end of town. follow the gravel road to the end.

CAR POOL! Parking is incredibly tight down there. There is room for about 3 full-sized pickups, and turning around would be nearly impossible with that many large rigs parked in there.

I'll probably give you a call, Curtis.. that is my last weekend to shoot before Nov.

I'd love to participate - would be fun to put a face with a name! I can't go the first weekend of October as I have an important event - grandson's first birthday!! Any other dates are just fine.

Just a quick clarification: is Curtis' post above "The Event" or is there still the possibility of something one of the next couple of weekends? I can't get it together for tomorrow, but I would be up for something later in the month if it is still good timing for foliage.

Heading out the door now..

Marylynne, Curtis knows the area and visits there often. He is trying to share his knowledge of the area and to maybe catch up with us during our outing.

Is there a date for the outing yet, or still looking at fall colors to come around?

Ned Fenimore and I drove the loop from White Salmon/Trout Lake/Glenwood/Lyle and back yesterday. It was a tough day for photography, bright sunshine and hazy, but still a great exploring jaunt. The maple is trying to get going, but a week or two away. The cottonwood around Trout Lake hasn't started to turn yet, and the oak in the Klickitat is just beginning. My guess is that something towards the middle or end of the month would be better, depending on where you want to go.

John, thanks for the update. So it sounds like maybe Saturday the 16th? How does that work for everyone?

The 16th sounds good to me, IF I have a camera, that is. Round 3 with Irvine, CA coming up:(

Kevin

I'm game.

I was over there last weekend too. Just got back yesterday. I explored different areas than Ned and John.

The only thing I would add to John's report is that the vine maple, which really gives the richest color in the area, is really dull this year. most of it seems to be going from green to a dull yellow to brown, and then to the ground. very little of what's on the ground has any color to it other than brown.

Normally you get flaming yellow, red, and orange everywhere. This is the first year I've been disappointed with the color. I didn't come home with a single image that I'm happy with, and mostly I just wasn't inspired to shoot.

If you guys wait until the 16th, I think the vine maple will be done.

I heard some people talking in the coffee shack at the Chevron station, about how yesterday was the first freeze they'd had. one guy said 29 deg, everyone else said 31 or 32. maybe that has something to do with the strangeness of the color.

-CK