The 'I' creeks of Alpine Lakes

Ingalls Creek

For the first time since March I got on an airplane.  Flew to Seattle where Evan picked me up and we headed for Icicle Creek.  It was a rainy weekend, so we contented ourselves with creekside walks.  First was Icicle Creek, and its old growth, then it was Ingalls Creek, where I had not walked previously.  Beautiful fall colors were everywhere as well as a low snowline (compared to Central Oregon anyway).  It was a great outing and fun to revisit some places I haven't seen in decades.

Ingalls Creek

Shrooms along Icicle Creek

Icicle Creek

Icicle Creek

South Steens Mountain Campground

A stopover on the way - Chickahominy Reservoir.  

I finally made it to South Steens Campground.   Years back, the southern leg of the Steens Mountain summit drive was too rough for my vehicles (Datsun 610, for instance).  But it has been "improved" for some time now and I finally made an opportunity to head there.  We stopped over a night at Chickahominy Reservoir which was not quite as dreadful as I expected it to be.  South Steens was busy - as is the case pretty much everywhere now that Covid is in full force and the fires have shut down the west side camping spots.  The hikes, Little Blitzen and Big Indian Gorges, are terrific though and fall is coming to Steens.  It is a magical place that I often take for granted and I am glad I finally made a point to go explore some more of it.

Riddle Brothers Ranch

Big Indian Gorge