Twin Springs Forest Camp Laaaaabor Daaaay Sept 1-3

Gypsie · Post by **Gypsie** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:41 am

just one?

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:44 am

SQUAW LAKES

There is an access trail at the saddle between Squaw Mountain and Twin Springs. It is not maintained. This side trail is hard to find from the bottom so make a landmark if you explore the meadows and want to climb back out. Also, some of the meadows are essentially floating peat so don't fall in to the waterways cut below as one hunter we met did, much to his surprise. This is the most ecologically interesting area for miles in all directions.

from www.trailadvocate.org

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 2:33 pm

Directions:

OR224 East to Estacada

Pass thru Estacada, stay on 224 for 6.5 miles.

Opposite Promontory Park, turn left at a sign for Silver Fox RV Park, then veer left almost immediately on Forest Service 4610.

Stay on this mostly gravel road for 18.4 miles. Keep an eye out for 4610 signs but don't count on it...you can also go by your odometer. Fork left at 7.1 miles, turn right at 8 miles, and fork left at 17 miles. But if you follow the map it should be pretty obvious.

The camp spot will either be Squaw Lakes or Twin Springs. The road goes right by the lakes so you'll know yer in the zone of hijinx.

Westy78 · Post by **Westy78** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:06 pm

So when is the official meeting time? Estacada ranger station?

Floating peat. Interesting.

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:36 pm

What about 6-ish at the ranger station? It is Labor Day Friday so traffic may be nuts.
I'm just glad Summer is back for a spell. Supposed to hit 90 this week. I'm also glad we're getting a second chance this year at Twin Springs. I've been wanting to spend a few days out there for some time now. The camp spot isn't particularly fabulous but the surrounding area is very interestin'. But there is a spring ala Hambone Springs. We WILL make it to the bottom of the Roaring River canyon! Pretty cool that we hit all 3 Abbot camps in one year, especially because they're off th' grid.
Any interest in fun-gus? Hopefully you'll bring along some intrestin' drink treats, you always surprise me.
What says alla ya?

Last year, this old sign was still there (barely) advertising 8 miles to Hambone down that now abandoned trail:
[albumimg]1217[/albumimg]

Gypsie · Post by **Gypsie** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:56 pm

No probs being designated tripper guide. Lily will be with me.
I'll just have to be the fun guy with out the fungi....

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:50 pm

Next time for ya then. Mebbe our Harvest Moon campout? (I swear I've never done so much group campin' in my life. It's taking some getting used to but I enjoy the company immensely.)

Gypsie · Post by **Gypsie** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 11:32 pm

I am beginning to hear some grumblings of no little friend for lily to play with. I have been trying to find someone to either play with lily or to bring with. This may be a kink in the works.
Twill work out sho nuff.

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:34 am

It wouldn't be much fun for you to have to watch 2 little ones all weekend...
Sometimes I take trips with just Eva and I, it's a lot of fun and we really connect. Other times, it's nice to have some peace and alone time.
I wanted to do some trail work this time and some crazy exploring and I can't do that with Eva in tow.
Lemme know what I can do.

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 8:05 am

Lookit this gibberish I found in the internet, some sort of auto text generator. The info is pretty much correct but this is hardly a trail anymore! Freaky...

Oregon hiking trails - Plaza Trail, Central Cascade Range, Clackamas County
Location of Trailhead: Latitude 45.3307, Longitude -121.9646 - - Directions and Road Map

When was the last time you got out in nature a bit? Plaza Trail in Clackamas County, Oregon is a good choice. Each one of the many hiking trails of Oregon has it's own character. Here in the great state of Oregon hiking is a great way to spend some time. Plaza Trail is 6.2 miles long, it's a mid length hike. Plaza Trail has a total elevation difference of 3149 feet and that is higher than average. Keep in mind that this is a long trail so make sure you bring plenty of supplies. A long drive separates Hood River from Plaza Trail, but hiking it is
always fun. Different parts of this trail are at very different elevations which of course means you need to be prepared for different conditions on different parts of the trail. Plaza Trail sees pretty high levels of precipitation, of all the months in a year December is the one
with the most rain, the driest month of the year is July. Don’t forget to check for any current restrictions or closures before you go. In the summer months at Plaza Trail highs are usually in the 70's, nights are a bit cooler of course, usually in the 50's. The cold days of winter come with highs in the 40's, after the sun is down in winter time temperatures at Plaza Trail dip into the 30's. The wonderful trails of the Central Cascade Range are the best way to enjoy these mountains. Outdoors people generally like this part of Oregon. This trail
has only one trailhead so you're looking at an in and out hike. We recommend having a good topo map before you head out, on the right you'll find a map of Plaza Trail. Plaza Trail is a trail of great length with an average amount of climbing distance which makes this trail good for hard core backpackers looking for adventure. You should count on this hike taking about 5.5 hours but of course some people walk a bit slower and some a bit faster. This is just one of a large number of trails in this area. There are many good hiking trails in Oregon, one of them being Plaza Trail in Clackamas county.

- - Briefly about the area around Plaza Trail:
Get yourself into a kayak and hit Sandy River and AJ Dwyer Roadside Reservation Memorial Area is a great place to stretch your legs a bit. You just gotta love the Central Cascade Range. Stay the night at Bighorn Campground, there's some flat water around here but not all of it is, Welches Creek is a stream you can visit during your stay. Plaza Trail is a great place to camp, MT. Hood Village is a good place and float down the rapids of Zigzag River in a kayak. Lymp Creek is a stream that you may bump into while here.
Total in and out hiking length = 6.2 miles
Total climbing distance = 2.4 miles
Difficulty : Difficult
Casual Hiking Pace: 5.5 hours
Fast Hiking Pace: 3.5 hours
Total elevation difference: 3149 feet

Also here's a cool photo album of the area to get u in the mood:
http://www.kevinsspot.com/photos/Defaul ... shead_Rock

and

http://www.mthood.info/hikingtrails/plaza783.pdf

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:33 am

Also found out there's a small lake nearby with fish called Plaza Lake (go figure):

Plaza Lake Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness
Features : Fishing.
Recommended for : DayHike.
Elevation Size Depth Snow Free
3640 feet 4 acres 10 feet May 08
Trail: Plaza Lake Trail # 788
Distance
0.7 miles Trailhead Elevation
4200 feet Elevation Gain
-560 feet Trailhead Access
May 27
Reference: Lakes of Oregon Vol 4 / Fishing in Oregon
USGS 7.5 quad: High Rock
USGS 15 quad: High Rock

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=45. ... ize=m&s=50

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/tile.a ... =6260&Z=10

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 3:01 pm

Looks like it's just me an Jasan...anyone else up for the trip?
I think I put too much effort into these things. I just get excited about the wild places.

spiffy · Post by **spiffy** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 3:13 pm

hambone wrote:Looks like it's just me an Jasan...anyone else up for the trip?
I think I put too much effort into these things. I just get excited about the wild places.

Sorry we can't make it, we will be out in the scablands. I will be VERY game for some fall and early winter camping FO SHO!!!

As long as you can put up with my smell that is

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 3:17 pm

Cool man. Safe travels.

Gypsie · Post by **Gypsie** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:05 am

The stars did not align for me for this trip. I will be at home making soap and remodeling.

Itinerant Air-Cooled

Itinerant Air-Cooled

Twin Springs Forest Camp Laaaaabor Daaaay Sept 1-3