Our Outdoor Adventures

Here we are, ready for our big adventure. Somehow, we all managed to live through it! The two adult packs were WAY to heavy though due to the three freeloaders.

Here we are at Kidder Lake, which we had all to ourselves, just like every other lake we went to! Just us and the cows! Great fishing, swimming and exploring.

Nick sitting on the log at our Kidder Lake campsite.

Marty fishing at Kidder Lake. Emphasize "fishing", not "catching". Luckily he had me along so he didn't have to go hungry! Sorry baby brother, but sometimes the truth hurts!

Here I am at Kidder Lake with a few of the countless trout caught by me and eaten by all.

Elizabeth, Martin, Nick, and Marty getting ready for bed. But first, it's time for a few rounds of UNO!

On our way from Kidder Lake to Milne Lake. We were actually on our way to Kleaver Lake, but it took 5-1/2 hours to get to Milne Lake, where we dropped our stuff half-dead and stayed for three days. It turned out to be a great destination!

Here I am with Martin, Elizabeth, and Nick at the junction of the Kidder Lake trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. On the ridge above Kidder Lake on the way to Milne Lake.

Looking up to the pass that leads to Man Eaten Lake. It's a lot easier hike than it used to be now that the trail has been improved. Our destination lies over the ridge above the clump of trees, and then a left turn for a cross-country climb across some rugged country.

Marty, with Martin and Nick on the rocks above. Taking a break on the ridge above Man Eaten Lake after a long hot climb up from Kleaver Lake. Still a long way to go before we reach Milne Lake beyond Man Eaten.

Milne Lake from our campsite right on the edge of one of the most awesome places you could wish to see. The rocks in the foreground drop off into a deep pool. There is a large perfectly smooth cedar tree wedged in the rocks that hangs out over the water, forming a great diving board. Very refreshing after a long difficult hike. We had the entire wilderness to ourselves.

Elizabeth, Martin, and Nick at Milne Lake. When they weren't bored, or squabbling, they had a good time hunting salamanders, fishing, and swimming in the lake.

Elizabeth at Milne Lake sitting on a log stool and drawing because "I'm bored and there's nothing to do!"

Nick at Milne Lake after a tough night sleeping in his 4 ounce sleeping bag that is rated for any temperature down to 72 degrees F. At 6800 feet, I was glad to have something a little more substantial. It wasn't too bad except when he would toss and turn until he ended up completely outside curled up sleeping in the dirt!

Elizabeth at Milne Lake with a few of the 100+ salamanders that she caught in the lakes.

At Milne Lake getting ready for another bedtime round of UNO. We couldn't have a campfire due to the drought - they've had only 1/3 of their normal rainfall, even though at these elevations everything was green. That took some of the fun out of camping, but we still ended up playing cards late by flashlight.

Don't try this at home! Martin, Marty, and Nick on the ridge above Milne Lake, heading back to Kidder Lake. Not a bad view from a point that drops off about 1000 feet on each side.

The five of us on the ridge above Milne Lake after a long hard climb. It only took 1/2 an hour, which amazed us all. Going back was a breeze compared to the trip coming in since we knew the way and had much lighter packs.

We had been hiking all day to get back to the cars and head home. It was hot and we were getting tired, so we stopped for a break along the trail when we came to a nice comfortable log to sit on. Unfortunately it was already occupied. We were glad that we saw this rattlesnake before we sat on him!