NWFJCC May's Run?, Olallie Lake National Scenic Area & Geocaching

[Terahex]

I have been thinking about leading May's NWFJCC run. I know it is early to be thinking about runs almost 3 months from now, but easier to get the word out . Plus March and April runs are already planned, and I need to give the snow a chance to melt.

I want like to drive up Clackamas River and around Olallie Lake Scenic Area. There are lots of little lakes up there and a great view of Mt. Jefferson. Then if time permits we take some of the National Forest roads over to Silver Falls State Park. From the maps it doesn't look like much of a technical run except maybe for the road up Mount Beachie. It looks steep with a few tight switch backs. I thought I add a few stops for Geocaching. With just a few GPS units, we could get the group into the right area and then everyone can join in the search. I would like to shoot for late May (Sat 5/26/2007), but it might still be too early for some of the NF roads to be open.


Here is a Google Map link to the suggested route. Here is the KMZ file for those of you with Google Earth. The number of Geocaches might change. I just picked the caches along the desired route, so I need to fine tune them down to the easier finds.

What do you need to bring:
FJ Cruiser (But any vehicle is welcome)
Shovel (just in case)
CB (Preferred) or GMRS Radio
GPS Unit (if you have one)
Camera (recommend)
Sense of adventure

Here are some of the views we might encounter:

[Son of a Son]

Not a bad thought I used to work in the Forest Service up there. That area is just beautiful. You should also see if we could make our way over to opal lake. I never made it out there but I always wanted to. If anyone is interested I know you can park at elk lake and hike about 14 miles to opal lake. I might still have some of my old FS maps too. I will let you know if I can find them.

[Son of a Son]

Here I found some pics of our elk lake camping trip last year.
I forgot what it looked like with stock tires and a pristine skid plate.



look I found a friend.

[egecko]

Terahex previously said:

I want like to drive up Clackamas River and around Olallie Lake Scenic Area. There are lots of little lakes up there and a great view of Mt. Jefferson. Then if time permits we take some of the National Forest roads over to Silver Falls State Park. From the maps it doesn't look like much of a technical run except maybe for the road up Mount Beachie. It looks steep with a few tight switch backs. I thought I add a few stops for Geocaching. With just a few GPS units, we could get the group into the right area and then everyone can join in the search. I would like to shoot for late May (Sat 5/26/2007), but it might still be too early for some of the NF roads to be open.

One question for me and for possibly others. What's the possibility on taking this run with the stock tires. Yes there are possibly going to be others in the same situation and I would like to get this information out before someone finds out that they couldn't make it for some reason and have to find another way out. For future posting on runs, can there be indications that stockies are not going to do well in the situations.

[Terahex]

Great Question. It depends on if there is any snow left on the NF roads. If most of the snow is gone the stock tires will do fine. I will try to scout out the trip the week before, so I can give a trail status.

[Terahex]

Great pictures SOS. It looks like you had fun

Son of a Son previously said:

So that is what the stright running boads look like. I had forgotten

[Son of a Son]

The vast majority of the roads in that area are well maintained. The only prob will be left over snow. I have been up to ollalie in may before and we couldnt make it because of snow. However this year has been very warm and there isnt likely to be much snow now, much less in may. If you look at my pictures you will see stock tires. You will do fine with them. There is no worry about getting stuck and even if you did we have members with tow straps and winches too.

[BDFJ]

I'll have my winch. If there is any snow it'll probably be to crunchy and icy for anyone to run, much less stock tires. Pick ANY weekend except May 19/20. I have perusing the back roads on my DeLorme software and SOS already knows the area anyway so we should have a blast!!!

Putting information on website now.

[BDFJ]

Info now on website. I'm confirmed for the 26th.

[egecko]

Terahex previously said:

What do you need to bring:
FJ Cruiser (But any vehicle is welcome)
Shovel (just in case)
CB (Preferred) or FRS/GMRS Radio
GPS Unit (if you have one)
Camera (recommend)
Sense of adventure

HHmm, here's what I have available....
FJ Cruiser
small shovel (had to fit into a trunk of a '90 Audi 90)
FRS/GMRS radios
Garmin GPSMAPS 60CS
Camera w/tripod
Sense of adventure
Recovery Strap 30'
3/4" Shackels/Clevis/D-rings or whatever else you want to call them
Hitch recovery mount