Joe Graham Horse Camp, and Frog Lake, Oregon

It's been an overly hot couple of weeks in Central Oregon, a great time to get away from it all for a few days. July is sometimes a tricky month to horse camp, due to the mosquito population and also still not quite being able to get into a lot of the high country.
But Joe Graham, otherwise known as Timothy Lake in the Mt. Hood National Forest was a good choice.

Mt Hood from Timothy Lake.

This was a revisit for me, I had been there before, but when I thought back about how long it had been, I realized it was seven years ago! How time flies. Back then I had only had my current horse for just over a year, and she was not in the extremely good shape that she is in now.

I was sweating at 7:30 am in my tank top and shorts as I was packing the last things into the truck. After a two hour drive, as I was getting closer to camp the weather was looking gloomier and gloomier and the road was wet. What a drop in temperature, it was now only 60 degrees but I found the sudden change rather refreshing.
There were quite a few people camped there on a Sunday morning, but I got a spot, actually the same site as the last time I was there, and tacked up. Still wearing the tank top, while others I saw were wearing coats and sweaters, I got onto the PCT heading southbound.

On the PCT.

At one point I passed a girl riding solo, we said hi, and I trotted on ahead.
A little while later I had to stop and sample some of the local cuisine,
big beautiful ripe huckleberries.
As I was munching away the same girl caught up to me. I explained about the berries, she said she had no idea they were edible, and so we sampled them together for awhile. As we talked I found out she was riding from Joe Graham to Triangle Lake Horse Camp that day, a total of about 26 miles. We ended up riding the rest of the way to the Warm Springs River before we went our separate ways. Her story: she is 22 years old and trying to do a thru ride on the PCT. Coincidentally I had heard of her from a post on Facebook, when she was looking for a farrier in my area, since she goes through shoes extremely fast. She was having a lot of trouble trying to get certain sections done at this time of the year, and had to do a lot of back tracking, but she is determined to get the job done one way or another. Good for her! Update: She did get the whole trail ridden, although she had to drive back and do sections she missed. And she has since ridden it again a couple of years later.

Gillian and her mare Shyla.

Warm Springs River, our turn around spot.

On the way back, the weather which had been a little iffy took a bit of a turn, thunder, lightning and some rain. I was forced to put on a sweater and hide under a tree for a little while to avoid getting completely soaked. This is a 16 mile out and back ride.

When I got back to camp I realized not a single other soul had stuck around, the weekend was over, and I had the place to myself.

Joe Graham has 14 sites, with spots that have either 2, 3 or 4 corrals, drinking water out of taps, and garbage dumpsters. There is no manure bin and it is expected that you put the manure in the dumpsters, so it's best to come prepared for that. The camp is very shady with tall trees, which is nice for the hotter days. This is supposed to be a horses only campsite, but it seems they are allowing non horse people in on occasion, and there is no longer a host on site like there used to be. It is $20.00 a night and reservations are definitely recommended especially for weekends, as it can get very busy.

Joe Graham is flanked by a meadow, the camp is situated in the trees.

Sunset and fog rolling in.

A little cabin in the meadow.

On the main road there is an historical ranger station that is now a visitors center, and a bunch of other buildings and cabins. Joe Graham is actually a couple of miles away from Timothy Lake, and there is another camp on the same road just a mile farther, called Clackamas Lake which has access to all the same trails. It is a combination horse and people camp which is another option if you can't get a spot at Graham.

Monday dawned sunny and clear and I got an early start on my loop ride around the lake. Heading northbound on the PCT for about 6 miles, you then leave the PCT and continue to follow the Timothy Lake Trail, or for a short side trip follow the PCT another 1/2 mile to get a look at Little Crater Lake. You can't actually ride right up to the lake, but there are some convenient hitching rails.

The trail to Little Crater Lake, through a non horse friendly gate.

The path to Little Crater Lake.

I actually decided not to leave my horse tied up with no one to watch her, due to her extreme hatred of insects, and her just as extreme itchiness. I was not convinced my saddle would survive if she thought it was a mighty fine idea to rub on the post, and I did not feel like untacking, so I continued on my way eventually reaching the dam on the far side of the lake.

The dam at Timothy Lake.

Riding across the dam at Timothy Lake.

The loop around the whole lake is 13 miles but that is not including some added mileage to and from the horse camp, and in one area past the dam there is a section that is for hikers only, and the horse trail veers off and takes a slightly longer route. There are some views of Mt.Hood along the way.

It was getting pretty warm, so after my ride I put my pony away, and drove over to the day use area at the lake for a lovely swim. Then I drove to the Little Crater Lake Campsite (not a horse camp) and took the short stroll to see Little Crater Lake which I had missed out on earlier. Although it is called a lake, it is actually an artesian spring, the sides suddenly dropping off to a depth of 45 feet, and the water temperature is a chilly 34 degrees. It is hard to do it justice with a camera, but it is so interesting, definitely a must see.

Little Crater Lake.

Little Crater Lake.

Tuesday I packed up, and decided to drive in the opposite direction from home, to the Frog Lake Sno Park. I had ridden from this PCT trailhead before, back when I used to live close enough to the area to do it as a day ride.

I rode to Lower Twin Lakes first, then to Upper Twin Lakes, very similar lakes, hence the names.

Lower Twin Lake.

I then veered off on the Palmateer View Trail which only had a temporary sign on a tree. This trail gets a little narrow, and there is a 100 foot cliff beside it. I did find the viewpoint, but I chose not venture onto the rock hanging out into in mid air.

The drop off viewpoint.

After that the trail popped me out by a junction, and I saw a "closed to horses' sign pointing back from where I had just come....oops I guess I wasn't supposed to go that way...a little late now.

Oops, they didn't have that sign on the other end of the trail.

At another junction I took the Palmateer Point Trail that leads to a close up view of Mt. Hood.

 Palmateer Point.

Mt. Hood.

Rina checking out Hood.

This could be a little longer of a ride by taking another side trail and visiting Devils Half Acre in the valley below, a very pretty peaceful primitive camping spot, but I had done that route in the past, so instead I got back onto the PCT and rode back to my truck. This is a short ride, a total of just over 9 miles. After hanging out in the parking lot for some time, while a fellow borrowed my lug wrench to change a tire on his travel trailer, I finally hit the road. As I drove out of the forest onto the Warm Springs reservation, the smoke was really bad, apparently many more fires had started while I was away, the smoke and heat on the drive home made me wish I had stayed out camping another day!
But it was a really fun trip, just what the doctor ordered!


GPS COORDINATES TO JOE GRAHAM

GPS COORDINATES TO FROG LAKE SNO PARK

Silver Creek Marsh and Farm Well Horse Camps, Oregon

I have wanted to go to this camp for awhile because it is a good climate and area to visit in
the spring, before the major heat sets in, and the trails are snow free and cleared earlier.
It is easy to access, 10 miles south of Silver Lake OR on a paved road. One of the perks of this area is the Cowboy Dinner Tree which is a very popular but rustic place to stop for dinner, reservations are required. You have to bring cash, there are only two menu options, and they have no electricity, but apparently the food is very good. ( I haven't actually been there yet )  Website for the restaurant

There are 15 sites in two loops, one for people, and then the horse loop which has nice large sites but only three of them have corrals. There is a hand pump for water and it is usually potable, but at this time of the year it had a sign on it saying it had not been tested for the season yet, so I would bring my own just in case. There is also a creek nearby. There is a bathroom, a manure bin, and it is $6.00 a night to stay here.

Silver Creek Marsh Horse Camp, this site has two corrals.

I got my horse ready and set off out of camp on the Fremont National Recreation Trail, this being the northern section of this trail that runs from Yamsay Mt. to Harvey Pass.

The National Scenic Recreational  Trail markers along the way.

I rode along Silver Creek  heading uphill to the Antler Trailhead. Antler is also a horse camp with all the amenities, but only two of the sites have corrals. This ride was an out and back and was 14 miles. There was a little blow down, but it was easy to get around.

Rock formations along the trail to Antler.

Antler trail head and camp.

Oddly the entire time I was near water on this trip I never encountered a single mosquito but when I was not near water they would show up in droves, they also arrived at dusk both evenings to irritate my horse.
In general, it could have been worse, I noticed the horses in a nearby campsite were not that bothered. I just have a horse that is highly sensitive to them and she tends to lose all rational thought. The good news is while I am riding her they aren't that interested in me, since she is apparently much more tasty!
That night after dinner I went on a stroll. All of a sudden I heard a thunk above my head, then thunk thunk as two birds fell from the sky and hit the pavement, they had collided in mid air. I wonder how often that happens? I went to check out the aftermath, one was DOA, the other was breathing and stunned. I knew not to mess with him, I figured there was a chance he could snap out of it and be fine, and sure enough the next morning I checked on him, and he was gone.

On day two, my grand plan was to ride the other direction on the NRT and up to the summit of Hager Mt. and back, a pretty long ride. I was quite enjoying myself until I arrived at what seemed to be the end of the trail, it spit me out onto a dirt road at a hunters camp. I rode up the dirt road for awhile but there were no more trail signs so I doubled back and checked all around the hunters camp and found no trail.
As it turns out, I would soon learn, this trail is usually quite well marked.... until it is not.....usually at a critical juncture.

Silver Creek.

So I rode around various dirt roads for the day, knowing that I was not to be thwarted from my goal of Hager, since I knew I could trailer over and do it from another trail head the following day.

Hager Mt. was in view, but at this point I was just exploring the dirt roads.

On the way back I eventually did find the place where I should have turned, a very faint path with no markers or signs, and much easier to see from the other direction, but by this time it was too late to continue on it.
Getting back to camp earlier than expected I decided to unhook the truck and drive up to Thompson Reservoir 5 miles up the main road. It was hot and I was ready for a cool refreshing dip. Alas, it was not to be. This is a pretty popular fishing spot, but I quickly found out the water is actually pretty icky, no one in their right mind would swim in it. So I hung out with the local critters for awhile.

Sharing my nectarines with the wildlife.

Then I drove back to camp and jumped in the extremely cold nearby stream instead... and hastily got right back out again.

I was up early the following day, packed the truck, and drove to Farm Well Trail head, this is also a camp, it's got 4 central community corrals and a  pond/swamp area for water.

Parking at Farm Well Trail head and camp.

From here it is a 12 mile ride to the top of Hager Mt. and back. However if that is your goal do NOT follow the giant sign marked TRAIL near the pond and day use area. It is actually the trail but this is the south side of it, heading away from Hager Mt.
I made that mistake briefly, turned around and found the right trail behind one of the camp sites, it is not marked except for a ribbon on a tree, and you go through a green gate.
It is a steady climb with some pretty steep areas, with one drop off section and there was a small amount of blow down.

Views on the way up Hager.

Getting closer to the top, the views back down were awesome, and there were a lot of wildflowers.

Wildflowers galore.

There were also two sun dogs, which look like a rainbow, but make a perfect circle around the sun.

Sun dogs at the top of Hager.

The hitching post atop Hager.

At the top there is a lookout, a bathroom and a hitching post.

Standing on the lookout balcony.

I walked up to the lookout and realized it was not yet staffed for the season.

Mt Hager lookout.

It's high elevation, but is snow free early in the season.

The view of Thompson Reservoir to the south.

I rode back down, on my head tossing, cow kicking pony....(the mosquito's again), and drove us home. There were other trails I did not do, for example trailering to Antler and riding up Yamsay Mt. although I have heard that section of trail might not be maintained. There is also a small loop from there called the Scenic Rock trail. Also from Farm Well the NRT continues to run south, the direction I mistakenly went briefly when leaving camp. Perhaps I will return someday!

Update: I have returned and camped at Farm Well which I write about in my blog Currier Spring and Farm Well Horse Camps


GPS COORDINATES TO SILVER CREEK MARSH

Baker Beach Horse Camp and the Cape Mountain Trails, Oregon

After a wacky winter with weird weather and having to be stuck at home more than I would like, March has come and spring has sprung, at least for now. I thought I would start the camping season early this year.
Seeing that there were a few good days of weather in a row, I started planning a trip and my friend Beth agreed to come along. Our destination was Baker Beach, 7 miles north of Florence, on Baker Beach Rd.
We left home late morning, due to having to wait until the pass thawed and was safe enough for driving. Finally arriving at the beach, we got there just in time for low tide. We then proceeded to gallop along the sand like idiots... okay that was just me, Beth followed at a more sedate pace.

Baker Beach

Baker Beach.

Getting a little windblown.

We found some rocks and caves at the north end of the beach, and Beth took a video of me going to look into one of the caves. My horse's expression is priceless...she turns her head and looks all the way back at me like "are you nuts, we aren't going in there are we?"

Beth and Chief 

We also came across what appeared to be a dead whale that had obviously been there awhile.
After a couple hours of exploring we headed back to set up camp.

Dead whale on the beach.

Baker Beach has a day use area and then a camping area for horses. There are 5 spots although the fifth spot is tucked back in the trees and there isn't really a parking spot for it.
This place is low on amenities with no corrals, no water of any kind, and no manure bin.
There is a bathroom, and it is $12.00 per night or $6.00 if you have a
NW Forest Pass. It was pretty quiet, since the beach is about half a mile from camp and there weren't a lot of people coming and going.
Update: In 2017 I did a day ride here, the fee has gone up to $13.00, it does not appear that they are giving a half price break if you have a pass now, although you can still use it for day use. Also there is a camp host and a lot of non horse people using the camp.

Baker Beach Horse Camp

Nap time.

On our second day we decided to explore the Cape Mountain Trails that are up in the forest across the highway. Herman Peak Rd. heads straight uphill for 3 miles to the Dry Lake Trailhead/Horse Camp.
We rode up the road to the trails with some nice views along the way. It is paved for about the first mile, then turns to dirt.

The view from part way up Herman Peak Rd.

Dry Lake is pretty small and rustic with only two corrals and a bathroom. There is a large parking area, but the actual corrals are up a steep dirt incline that has been washed out. There is a little lake/swamp very close by for stock water. We followed the Nelson Ridge Trail and made a loop along the Wapiti Trail and the Lookout Trail.
We found a grassy field with a nice view of the ocean for our lunch spot. The people responsible for making these trails have put many hitching posts and benches in along the way.
There are maps at every trail junction, and also paper maps you can take along with you. Most of the trails are marked, which makes this a very easy place to explore the 17 miles of various loops.

Lunch on the Nelson Ridge Trail

Getting ready to head out back on the Nelson Ridge Trail

Maps of the trails at junctions.

Beth on the Nelson Ridge Trail

Near the end of our ride, Beth's horse was showing some signs of distress, it seemed his back was pretty sore. She was not sure if it had to do with a new saddle she had used, but in the morning she made the decision to not ride him anymore, so she drove home, but I stayed one more day.
I went back to the Cape Trails, this time driving to the trail head, and proceeding to do the areas we had not done the day before. At one point I came across a bench and a little memorial plaque

about a young girl who used to love to ride the trails there, her horse's name was Princess Tasha and the trail is named after her.

Playing peekaboo on the Princess Tasha Trail

This trail is mostly gravel which is nice for traction since as per usual you can have wet/ muddy conditions at the coast, and eventually it becomes the Scurvy Ridge Trail.

A reconstruction of a "hitsi" an indian shelter

There is one other horse camp in the area called Horse Creek, which is a nice big camp with corrals which does not seem to get much use. There is no water in the camp, but a sign leads to the trail system where eventually (it's not close) you will come to a spring fed water trough. Update: For info about the camp, check out my blog from 2021. Horse Creek Horse Camp

After a brief lunch break I also did the Blue Horizon Loop hoping for more views, but there were only a few glimpses of the ocean. I followed the Berry Creek Trail back, this is a steeper trail and by far the most slippery, it hadn't even rained for a few days but we were still doing some slip and slide maneuvers.

Horse Creek Horse Camp

On friday night it started to rain lightly, by morning it was coming down full force. I would have liked to have gone on another beach ride and checked out a couple of the smaller inland loops but I had to call it a day, (my tent was leaking) and drive home. Rina and I were drenched and ready to get back to our desert home. A good time was had by all. Can't wait for the next trip!


GPS COORDINATES TO BAKER