Jefferson Explorations

Hi everyone!  The adventures have been grand this summer so far as I keep exploring the Pacific Northwest.  Recently, two friends and myself headed to Jefferson Park to explore.  It's been high on the list for a while and is renown for its lakes, views and meadows.  Which makes it a popular spot, although it is a couple hour drive to most cities.

We were definitely not the first to the parking lot and passed multiple people on the hike in.  It's about 6 miles up to the lakes, and due to a recent forest fire, we had some epic views on the way up.  All smiles going in, due to excitement, nature and some fun stories being passed around. Something about hiking with good friends that gets you laughing a lot more. 

You get up towards the lakes and are rewarded with views that are straight from postcards.  How can you top a trail curling along hillsides with lakes and mountain views all around?

Wildflowers were still in full effect all over, with multiple colors booming in different patches.

Mt Jefferson is the 2nd highest mountain in Oregon, and stands mighty fine.

Little ponds dotted the landscape on the valley floor.  Pretty much wherever you are down there, the view is fantastic and you are close to a lake for swimming.  Or a pond for catching reflections.

One of the 8 or so lakes that you could hike around, find campsites at and relax.  Loads of people with hammocks out enjoying the vibes, and swatting the ever present mosquito population.  Was it super beautiful?  yes.  Were the mosquitoes horrible?  Understatement of the century.

We did a day hike up part of Mt Jefferson and were rewarded with the valley floor below and Mt Hood in the distance.  I'm a happy man whenever I have a view of Mt Hood, and being up on Jefferson made it even better.  So much grandeur all around!

Here is our campsite, right next to a running stream, with a mountain view.  Can't beat that setup. 

Loads of creeks around to drink from as I'm partial to river or stream water. Lake water just has a certain taste to it that makes me look for running water.