Diamond Creek Falls

I keep a mental list of hikes I'd like to do and places I'd like to see, some day. Over the years, I am slowly making my way through the list (though I am also adding to the list so I'll never see or do them all!). The trail to Diamond Creek Falls was on that …

Bobby Lake

I love heading up into the Cascades to explore the mountain lakes. They are so incredibly blue and -- to me -- they somehow seem closer to the sky than the lakes here in the valley. With so many lakes to chose from, there is always a new lake and a new trail to enjoy. This summer we hiked the trail …

Fawn Lake

I love hiking high in the Cascades amongst the lodgepole pine. The air smells so good, and the sun is hot and dry. The lakes seem bluer up there, complementing the brilliant blue sky. Ever since January, when I read about the Fawn Lake Trail while researching hiking options around Crescent Lake Resort, I've been looking …

Crescent Lake Resort

For a week we watched the weather forecast for the Cascades. Every day it was the same ... rain. We had plans to meet a friend at Crescent Lake Resort for lunch, chatting, and hopefully, a nice walk. I wasn't excited about the prospect of rain, but it did mean the roads would be clear. And, when …

Enjoy the View: Postcard from Waldo Lake

Waldo Lake is one of the purest lakes in the world and happens to be only 80 miles east of Cottage Grove. With almost 10 square miles of lake to explore, there are plenty of boating, hiking, and camping opportunities.

Marilyn Lakes

We had the opportunity to head into the mountains last weekend. The snow is gone and it has been replaced by a plethora of wildflowers! Our destination was Gold Lake where we met up with some friends for a day of hiking and visiting. Gold Lake Campground is only an hour and a half from …

Flowers along the Trapper Creek trail

The Trapper Creek Trail was beautiful in mid-August. It is a highly recommended trail merely for the views of Trapper Creek and the scenic forest that you hike through. A bonus for me were the wildflowers. I was surprised by the number we saw in mid-August (a time when I usually assume that wildflowers will …

Trapper Creek Trail

The Trapper Creek Trailhead lies 78 miles east of Cottage Grove (just over 1 1/2 hours drive time) and hiking here makes an excellent day trip. I had the pleasure of exploring this trail with a friend and her dog in mid-August 2012. This trail follows Trapper Creek for about 1 1/2 miles. Usually, it runs above the …