News

I hiked the Horse Lake loop (Horse Lake to Red Hill to Sunset Lake) on Thursday, and discovered over 30 trees down on Sunset Lake trail.  Forecast on Friday was for 85% chance of rain at 11:00 am.  I considered cancelling the hike, but with over 14 people signed up, I decided to stick with the plan.  Saturday's forecast seemed to push the 1/10" to 1/4" rain to 2:00pm, but the 11:00 hour reappeared Sunday morning.  Since 4 people didn't cancel, I was committed.  We actually had some sun on the hike out to Horse Lake.  During lunch on the rock peninsula, we had "falling mist"; not really rain.  It was actually pleasant!

On the hike out (the way we came in), we got a few more "spits" of falling mist, but also a couple of sunbursts.  Since none of the hikers had ever been to Horse Lake before, it was a very nice day.

This hike checked all the boxes. Beautiful scenery, clear skies, a scenic lake, excellent air quality and a great group. Seven CONC members hiked the PCT through a past wildfire burn into a stunning landscape of volcanic rock formations, conifer forests, a scenic lake and an alpine meadow. We greeted PCT thru hikers as they passed on their way northward. The group returned via the PCT and the North Matthieu lake trail. A day enjoyed by all.

Fine weather and smoke free skies were enjoyed by a group hiking from Trail Bridge Reservoir to Tamolitch (Blue) Pool.

It's been a tough year for wildfires in Central Oregon.  A hike location is a decision often based on which direction the wind is blowing. Nine CONC members found favorable breezes and clear skies August first at the spectacularly scenic Four in One Cone.  The hike first featured a well graded forest walk.  The hikers then  encountered a world of lava rock with the destination a ridge composed of four Cinder cones.  The North and Middle Sister mountains towered over us to the East and Mt Washington, Black and Yaopah craters featured prominently.  It was a classic hike well enjoyed by all.

The hike along the river couldn't have been any better. Bluebird skies, cool temps and the meandering river made this hike quite enjoyable. And, we were treated to a sighting of a Trumpeter Swan!

Five hikers enjoyed glorious weather and great views on this spectacular hike. 

Thanks to hike leader Doris Feenstra

We had a lovely hike to Doris Lake today.  Weather was perfect and we enjoyed wading in the water at lunch.  Stoped by Blow Lake on the way back.  Another little wilderness jewel.

Thanks to hike leader Gary Jones

 A scenic hike to a beautiful Alpine Lake on a warm July day. 

Contributed by hike leader Roz O’Donoghue 

Peak wildflowers. Abundant butterflies.  Nature was on full display for 5 CONC hikers July tenth.  The price of admission was an arduous ascent and the payoff was a wonderful variety of blooms and butterflies on high open slopes with views of the Cascades. The hike also featured a forest with tall, majestic Hemlocks, Douglas Firs as well as an ascending meadow replete with flowers and ferns.

Eleven of us met at the Park'n'Ride at the corner of Hwy 97 and Paulina Lake road to carpool to the McKay Crossing trailhead of the Peter Skene Ogden trail.  It was a blue sky day with the promise of warm temperatures.  We stopped at three of the falls on the way up to the lunch and turn around spot, with a few Columbine and Indian Paintbrush growing at water's edge.

Lunch across the bridge at the three mile mark allowed us time to chat and get to know some of the newer members of the club.  When it was time to return, we lined up on the bridge for a final group photo.