Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
Activity Notes
The Eight Lakes Basin has been an historic trail for backpackers and sojourners since before Mazamas. While no longer garnering a blue ribbon hike status, it will be a beautiful (approximately) 20-mile backpack trip over 5-days and 4-nights, steadily rising from about 2812 feet elevation at the Marion Lake Trailhead to 5430 feet on day three, and then descending to 5276 feet elevation at the Santiam trailhead. The hike allows plenty of time to see nearby sights, as well as huckleberry picking, photograph, and fishing to name a few.
The trail schedule is as follows: Day 1 (8/8): Marion Lake Trailhead to Marion Lake (camp); Day 2 (8/9) Marion Lake to Blue Lake (camp); Day 3 (8/10) Blue Lake to Duffy Lake (camp); Day 4 (8/11) Duffy Lake to Lower Berkley Lake (camp); Day 5 (8/12) hike out to Santiam Lake Trailhead.
- Those who sign-up must commit to the whole trip (no bailing early).
- This is a good extended/beginner backpack trip but backpackers must have thought out and planned accordingly for food/water (incl. filter), shelter/sleeping bag, clothing/footwear, medication, mosquitoes/sun, backpack, and other requirements for being out 5-days.
- As always this time of year in the Cascades, watch the weather forecasts and wildland fire threat levels.
- Plan on staying together during the hiking portion of each day--no lone rangers. The hike pace is 2.
- 7:00 a.m. at Clackamas Town Center P&R (2nd floor) is the meeting location. Plan to be there 15-20 minutes early to organize and be ready to depart at 7:00 a.m.
- Mazamas COVID-19 Protocol is in effect. Carpooling, for example, is not encouraged/expected by participants. We can discuss the protocols, carpooling, etc. further at the meeting location on 8/8. As an FYI: Those who already engage in intimate friend/family interaction with one another (i.e., no masks, social distancing, etc.) may opt to carpool.
- This backpack will require at least one vehicle to park at each trailhead so we have a ride back to Marion Lake Trailhead to retrieve transportation (I will probably park at Santiam Trailhead). Those driving will need a USFS NW Forest Pass for parking. Please have a season pass or the right five days of passes with you prior to arriving at Clackamas Town Center P&R
- We will be hiking in a wilderness area (i.e., 12 heartbeats) and so sorry, no dogs.
Leader Contact Info: David Rempel, ph.# 928 587-0511 & email: cascadedave2@gmail.com. I will have spotty cellphone and email coverage from 7/28-8/1. I will respond to questions when available.
