Broken Top Crater Glacial Lake

Today I did a really nice hike with my friend Jamie up to the glacial lake in the crater of Broken top in the Cascade range just out of Bend.  Two summers ago I hiked to the summit of Broken top and always wanted to hike to the crater.  The trip is about 7-8 miles round trip with approx 1600 ft of vertical.  Was originally going to bring the older boys but they are still recovering from Camp this week :)


 

Noah Turns 9!

Noah wanted to go camping for his 9th birthday. He invited his buddy Blake to come along with us. We went up to East Lake and had a beautiful campsite over looking the lake. The first day was great and we canoed and kayaked and did some exploring. Over night it rained and the next morning we woke up to even more rain and snow. Tent camping when it is wet is never fun. We packed up a day early and headed for home.  All in all the kids had fun and it was a great birthday for Noah.

Father's Day Family Canoe on Sparks Lake

After our Todd Lake hike we headed down the road a couple miles to Sparks Lake. A very canoe/kayak/paddle board friendly lake that is too shallow for boats and really isn't a fishing lake. The lack of motors and the views make it a great place to go. Kelly and I did a moonlight canoe trip with friends here a couple summers ago.

Once we got the canoe off the suburban, we hopped in the canoe and went across the lake to have a late picnic lunch on the north shore. We played there for a little while before heading back across.

Kevin

2nd Annual Boys Fall Camping - Benson Lake Campout (2015)

We just returned from our second annual boys fall camping trip. Last year we canoe camped on Sparks Lake. This year Hunter wanted to do a backpacking trip so I selected Benson Lake as a good starter - a 1.5 mile hike into the lake with wilderness camping.  Mileage-wise not a lot, but with packs on it was plenty to get a taste and enjoy the experience. We left home after the boys soccer games on Saturday afternoon. The drive was about 50 minutes from Bend past sisters on hwy 242. We had spectacular weather and it didn't even get very cold at night. The water was so clean and clear we drank right out of the lake. The boys loved it.    

Yoho National Park

Today we went to Yoho Natifinal Park in British Clombia. There we went to Emerald Lake and rented canoes and paddled all around. This might have been one of our favorite days yet. This water is stunning in color and almost looks like it is not real. The sun came out after it down poured all morning. It made for a lovely afternoon. We then went and saw Takakkaw Falls. It was beautiful!

Moraine Lake

Today we went to Moraine Lake in the valley of the Ten Peaks. We climbed to the top of the hill to get some pretty views. It was rainy but the lake was so beautiful despite the weather and the water was a bright blue. We then went for a hike along the Bow River which is right in the town of Lake Louise. Another great day full of amazing beauty.