Photo by Elizabeth Halt
Photo by Elizabeth Halt

lost lake

January 26, 2012

DSC_9292

see. it doesn't have to snow this winter. i've already seen snow.

i saw snow last may when my sister helen and atlas and i went to lost lake and found ourselves driving through snow to get there. it was a warm day in portland and i thought hiking around a lake would be a great way to cool off.

we arrived at the lost lake campground – ready for a picnic and a hike around the lake – only to discover that it was chilly and snow-covered and the trail was mostly inaccessible. apparently they had plowed the road in order to open the campground for the year only a few hours before we arrived.

(i commented on how surprised i was to run into snow and helen said, "didn't you see the line in the guidebook where it said alpine lake?" apparently i did not. i was wearing shorts and sandals. let's just say that hiking in snow in sandals is not for the faint of feet.)

chill aside, lost lake has a lovely view of mount hood.

9 comments... (add a comment)

  1. i went there once and it is so on my list to get back to. We didn’t do much hiking but did paddle around the lake…it sure is a gorgeous view and a stunning image!

  2. tammy

    oh my you lucky elizabeth!
    you live in such a beautiful part of this big country.
    love the line, “faint of feet.” it so fits many of my experiences. lol. mostly though, because of the extreme heat we have here, not the snow!

  3. elizabeth @ retinal perspectives

    @tammy: faint of feet can definitely apply to both!
    @vivienne: apparently it’s an easy 3 miles around. paddling around the lake would be fun too! we saw the paddle boats. sometime. (possibly sans pup. i am not sure he is a paddle boat sort of dog. 😉

  4. Oooo – gorgeous! This reminds me of our snowy hike outside of Taos. It was warm below but we did have boots (and shorts!) on. By time we made it to the lake, we were so cold it was all we could do to snap a quick photo and start the long, cold trek back. Oh, and the lake was covered with ice (duh!) Sometimes I will go to ridiculous lengths to get a photo. Oh well.

  5. What a gorgeous view!!! Since our family lived out in MT for 20 years, I know how elevation comes into play weather-wise. The high country can always bring surprises!
    Happy weekend to you :)

  6. elizabeth @ retinal perspectives

    @patty: i think i remember that story!!!
    @anna: that was a surprise indeed! though if i had read more closely, i might have expected it, because i did notice that as we drove, we were driving up and up. 😉 i imagine MT to be beautiful country.

  7. Tracy

    What a view…stunning…*swoon*… We have plenty of snow here at the moment. It’s been bitterly, terribly cold outside though, so I’ve not been out & about as much with my camera… hence total lack of winter views at my place currently Happy Weekend, Elizabeth! ((HUGS)) P.S. When you get a chance, could you please email me your street address. I have a little something I’ve made for you and would like to send it to you. :o)

  8. Marcie

    Breathtaking landscape. WOW!

  9. Helen

    :) thanks for the reminder of a fun day!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *