We just got back from our 5th annual fall boys camping trip in 2018. This year we went with some friends that the kids go to school with and the location was Big Lake near Hoodoo ski area West of Sisters. Dad Patrick with boys Severin and Ben. Big lake is actually a bit of a misnomer, as the lake isn't that big but it was super 'blue'.
Previous years:
- 2014 - Sparks Lake, OR
- 2015 - Benson Lake, OR
- 2016 - Tam McAuthor Rim, OR
- 2017 - Deschutes River, OR
This year we went the 3rd week of September so we didn't have to worry about deer hunting season (rifle). I think the 3rd week of September will likely become our defacto standard going forward. This year the weather was colder and rainy, but we were up at 5000 ft so that could have been part of the reason. Due to soccer games we got a late start Saturday afternoon so the trip felt shorter than usual. Going forward we agreed that even if their is soccer games, we might just skip them and even make it a 2-night deal Friday and Saturday. As with previous years the requirement for this trip is that it cannot be car camping, and must have some sort of 'remote' aspect to it even if just a little.
