When we stopped for a lunch break on our way in we were quite surprised to find two nice chairs formed by large slabs of rock waiting for us to use. Arriving at Park Lake we were delighted to find our coveted campsite available. Within the next couple of hours several backpackers passed by with the same hope in mind. From the doorway of our tent we had a good view of Park Lake, (see the Additional Photos at the bottom). And from our site we had a great view of Mt Jefferson.

Saturday we spent the whole day roaming Jeff Park and stopping to fish at all five lakes. Paintbrush and Lupine were in their prime and the low-bush huckleberries were ripe. Once again, Russell Lake proved to be the favorite for fishing. I usually can count on catching Brook Trout there, but this time I was surprised with catching Rainbows. While Jeanette enjoyed sitting, relaxing and reading, I caught 6 Rainbow up to 11 inches and two Brooks, plus I had already caught 1 Brookie at Bays Lake. I kept 4 fish for dinner and then we hiked back to our campsite at Park Lake.

Sunday we decided to be adventurous and hike back via the Crag Trail. Again, something I had wanted to do for years. This route leaves Jeff Park on the Pacific Crest Trail, then on several miles on the Whitewater Trail, before turning off on the Crag Trail. Big Black Huckleberries along the trail made it hard for us to keep up a good hiking pace. We enjoyed most of the route until we reached the bottom where we were expecting to ford the South Breitenbush River. But, the trail dead-ended at the rivers edge. I searched the other side in vain to find a continuing trail. We decided that what we needed to do was explore a faint trail further down the river, and after another dead end finally found a large log that served as a bridge to cross the river. A faint trail then wound through the brush back to the parking lot and our car. Vandals have destroyed the trail sign at the parking lot that would help give you any clue as to where the trail is located.