Sagefemme
Advanced Member
We went up the McKenzie River this past weekend past the source (Clear Lake and Fish Lake) of the river and on a little further to Iron Mountain. I can't believe I've never been here before. Steep alpine meadows filled with wildflowers. I think peak wildflower time was a few weeks ago (mid to late June) but still lovely. One mile climb to a lookout where we got an overview of all the smoke we were smelling but no sight of actual fires. I assume there are many small fires started by lightening strikes we've had recently. The "book" belonged to a guy who I guess collects and presses plants in it.
A few FWC pics just because.........mine is the flatbed, the other Hawk belongs to our friends. It's their fault I now own a FWC myself. We've had it since June, just over a month. I'm slightly less bewildered now than when we got it thanks to all of you here and your wise counsel.
We stopped at Fish Lake which is a lake every winter but is now a green, green meadow. My friend who we were camping with was just paddling the lake in a kayak a few weeks ago. The fish retreat up Hackleman Creek when the lake disappears. Until this brief trip I knew nothing about the Old Santiam Wagon Road, which is fascinating. It was a 400 mile busy route mostly from west to east, for freight and those looking to graze cattle in Central Oregon, I guess. In use from about 1865 to 1935. There was a big outpost at Fish Lake with hotel, saloon, blacksmith, and much, much more! A bunch of old buildings still standing and open for visitors. Worth a stop if you're near the junction of highways 126 and 20 in the Central Cascades. It's not very well marked; the sign on Hwy 126 just says Fish Lake, nothing about the historical site and buildings.
Blue flax
View from Iron Mountain Lookout
A few FWC pics just because.........mine is the flatbed, the other Hawk belongs to our friends. It's their fault I now own a FWC myself. We've had it since June, just over a month. I'm slightly less bewildered now than when we got it thanks to all of you here and your wise counsel.
We stopped at Fish Lake which is a lake every winter but is now a green, green meadow. My friend who we were camping with was just paddling the lake in a kayak a few weeks ago. The fish retreat up Hackleman Creek when the lake disappears. Until this brief trip I knew nothing about the Old Santiam Wagon Road, which is fascinating. It was a 400 mile busy route mostly from west to east, for freight and those looking to graze cattle in Central Oregon, I guess. In use from about 1865 to 1935. There was a big outpost at Fish Lake with hotel, saloon, blacksmith, and much, much more! A bunch of old buildings still standing and open for visitors. Worth a stop if you're near the junction of highways 126 and 20 in the Central Cascades. It's not very well marked; the sign on Hwy 126 just says Fish Lake, nothing about the historical site and buildings.
Blue flax
View from Iron Mountain Lookout
