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Contributed by Jerry Sebestyen

Oct 8, 2023:    After gathering at one of our favorite coffee shops, eight CONC members traveled to Shevlin Park for a hike in search of Fall colors.  Shevlin has been a Bend city park since 1920 and has a footprint of nearly 1,000 acres.
   Besides being an amazing example of the geology/volcanology of our area it is also "home to miles of trails through old-growth forest and desert sage-covered lands".
   The Aspen were in full golds with the underlying brush displaying reds and golds.  The Tamarack/Western Larch was just starting to turn to its characteristic gold coloration before the needles are shed.
   We enjoyed a "Just Right" kind of day with great weather and equally great company.

September 17 - Kelly Cleman

An all-female group of 7 decided to gamble that the smoke wouldn't be too bad and to head up to Santiam Pass to do the Berley Lakes hike. When we got to the trailhead, it was a bit smokey, but it looked like the skies were clearing to the north and that the wind was in our favour. We set off at a slow pace to avoid breathing smoke too deeply and soon we felt a fresh breeze on our face and we started to get some good views of Three Fingered Jack. We made it to the turnoff for Berley Lakes and were quickly on the shores of Lower Berley Lake snapping pictures of the lake with said mountain in the background. We then headed to the Upper Lake and found some nice rocks to sit and enjoy lunch and to take more photographs. There were a few people camping at the lake and several folks fishing. We started heading back towards the trailhead and noticed that the smoke was picking up and the wind was now coming from the south. It got bad enough that a few of us decided to don masks to avoid breathing in too much smoke. We were appreciative that we got pretty clear air up to and at the lake.

John Sweat had a few hikers willing to brave the smoky gossamer haze on Sunday September 24.  Fortunately conditions changed for the best as a slight drizzle turned into a cleansing yet steady rain fall which saved the day.

There was mild apprehension as they approached the creek crossing but, everyone handled it with ease considering the damp conditions. From that point on it was all down hill.  The group stopped a few times to take in the view points and admired the falls along the way back to the trailhead. The stats for the day were a little over 8 miles with an elevation gain of 1200 feet; perfect for a wet day!

A break in the smoke and a gorgeous day to be in the woods on Tuesday was sufficient for Dennis DeLapp, Chuck DelCambre, Kurt Keesy, and Dave Alward to head to Swampy to complete the Summit Bypass on the Porcupine Snowshoe trail. Dave brought his chainsaw and with the help of Kurt, finished clearing the 1/2-mile track. Chuck & Dennis  worked on marker installation and trimming for visibility. Temporary signs were installed at the two junctions. It was concluded by all that the bypass is a nice trail through the hemlocks and will be appreciated by intermediate-level shoers. The steeper trail over the summit can be enjoyed by those with good stamina.  Thanks to Dennis for some photos!

We have two more trails approved for implementation: AC-DC Shelter tie at Edison and a new trail at Vista Butte. We will get started on the AC-DC Shelter Tie in October.

On Saturday, September 16 Roz O’Donaghue planned on hiking the Benson, Tenas, Hand Lakes and Scott Mtn summit loop hike. She was hoping to take advantage of the fact that the fire restriction closing Hwy 242 to some of our beautiful hikes had been lifted. However, at the last minute, the hike location had to be changed due to a flare up of wildfire activity and smoke over the Benson/Tenas Lakes/Scott Mtn route.   

The destination was switched to a summit of Mt. Bachelor via Bugaboo ridge. It is a 8.6 mile in and out route with a 1800ft elevation gain. Six CONC members decided to go, though one stayed behind at the trailhead due to equipment issues. The other five were rewarded with a quiet trail and fairly clear skies. Three made it to the summit after two turned back to be with the member they had carpooled with that stayed at the trailhead. Autumn colors were on display as the huckleberry bushes had turned a scarlet red. There were also views of nearby Mt. Jefferson and Coffin Mtn. The three returned to the trailhead just before the smoke drifted into the area.

Four club members left Thump coffee Sunday morning, August 27, and drove south on Hwy 97 through thick smoke towards the Newberry Crater.  This was actually my third choice for hike destination, as I was changing the plan almost daily to avoid the smoke.  The smoke dissipated as we drove up to Paulina Lake, and was actually "gone" by the time we parked to the side of the HIP camp entrance, just past the Big Obsidian Flow.  We bushwhacked across the road to find the Lost Lake Trail, which goes up the east side of the Obsidian Flow.

The first 2 miles were pretty uneventful, hiking quickly while it was still cool.  After a few switchbacks, the trail comes right up to the Obsidian Flow and becomes "interesting".  Just beyond this first encounter, we reached the top of the Obsidian Flow to see that it also flows a bit to the south.  This section of the trail levels out as it crosses a small valley just below the Rim Trail.

At this point, we left the Lost Lake trail and headed southwest towards the Rim Trail. We passed a very "interesting" flow line that seemed to have formed when the lava swept up against the hillside below the rim.  On top, we joined the Rim Trail and headed east for just over a mile on a relatively flat section with small, dispersed trees.  Forecasted temperature at this elevation was 65 degrees, and as we were exposed to a slight breeze this section was surprisingly pleasant.  After two switchbacks, we came to where the Lost Lake trail intersects with the Rim Trail, so we took it and headed east again in order to form a "lollipop" route configuration.

This short section of trail went through this "interesting" valley hidden here just below the caldera rim.  Within a mile, we came across a fine, pumice flat just off the trail, that I chose to call a "pumice meadow".  A quarter mile later, we rejoined our up-trail and headed downhill.  Back at the car, our total hike turned out to be 9.2 miles and 5 hours.  Interesting, since my original route said 11.2 miles and 6 hours.  But no complaints here!

Blistering heat on the horizon, didn’t deter four hardy hikers from summiting Hager Mountain on July 22.  But that wasn't the "real" objective of this hike.  John Sweat planned to revitalize an apparently old CONC tradition, by hiking Hager Mountain, then having dinner at the locally renowned Cowboy Dinner Tree, for which he had already made reservations.  

To the point, the group reached the lookout on top of Hager Mountain in an hour and a half!  With a brilliant persuasion of chocolate chip cookies they were welcomed to  the deck by the lookout on duty, Yvonne.  She answered all of their questions regarding her duties while the group took in the 360 degree view. 

With a quick descent down the mountain, they had 30 minutes till dinner was served.  They occupied that time with libations in shade of the juniper trees and in snooping around inside the gift shop.  When seated they were served ice cold lemonade that never tasted so good!  Family style salad and soup followed, and  rolls which were to die for.  The entrée consisted of either a whole chicken or 28-30 oz. steak.  Sides of baked potatoes, were cooked to perfection.  Needless to say there were plenty of leftovers to take home, in the provided doggies bags!