Sumpter Snowshoeing – The North Trail

It was another beautiful day in Sumpter….the kind that just can’t be ignored! It was one of those days with blue skies and sun shining on the snow, that begs a snowshoer to drop everything and grab the snowshoes!

It was actually warm (comparatively speaking of course) by the time we got started. It was a pleasure to be hiking with our friends Ray and Cheryl again. We were joined by Sumpter Dredge State Park Ranger Miranda Krane, and away we went!

` The North Trail January 19th, 2013

We followed the North trail through the Sumpter Dredge State Park. This trail is less than a mile, has a few slight inclines, and follows Cracker Creek along most of the hike. This is particularly a great hike for days with clear blue skies because of breathtaking views seen from the trail.

If you’re not familiar with Sumpter, this is a good hike since it is nearly impossible to get lost while on this trail!

The North trail will take you around behind the Sumpter Dredge and offers views you will not see in the summer.

Take a look at the photos……

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It was another great day on the snowshoe trails in Sumpter…..and the hot chocolate afterwards was pretty good too!  :)

Join us next week as we take a different trail in the State Park!  Watch for details at the Snowshoe Club!

Snowshoeing in Sumpter

It was great week for snowshoeing…..cold temperatures, lots of snow, and even got to do some snowshoeing with a beaver!

J.R. Beaver Sumpter Valley Dredge

See the J.R.  Beaver snowshoeing video at YouTube.

We’ve already been out more times in one week than the entire season last year! We can’t ask for any better snow either….the snow so far this season has been very dry, which makes for easy snowshoeing.

Dry powder means less work and of course….less work equals more fun, right? It’s like we say in Sumpter……“ There’s no snow like Sumpter snow!”

New Year’s Eve 2012

Our first official hike of the season is always New Year’s Eve and it was awesome ~ especially since we had to cancel due to lack of snow last year!

We enjoyed the company of some very nice people who are part-timers working on building a house here in Sumpter.

Ray, Cheryl, and Toby…..(Toby is the four legged snowshoer)

I kind of envied Toby…he got to explore a whole lot more than we did…and he didn’t even need snowshoes! :)

The sun was shining bright and our view of the Elkhorn peaks was breathtaking!

The Elkhorn Peaks above Sumpter, Oregon

Just when I didn’t think the week could get any better…..I got to end it with a hike with one of my favorite snowshoeing partners in Sumpter!

State Park Ranger Miranda Krane (off-duty)

We took the trail leading from the water tower at the North end of town. This is a pretty accessible trail…however,  I would like to caution everyone that due to natural discharge from the water tower,  the end of the street at the gate does have a pretty good sheet of ice!

Unlike other trails around town,  this one does have some vertical climb to it….but the views are well worth the extra effort!

Sumpter Water Tower Trail

Miranda has no problem with this steep climb

As Miranda attacked the hill head-on…I took the easy away following the atv trail around the side of the mountain.

Going around the mountain…instead of straight up…..

Miranda shows us that it is always a lot more fun coming down than going up……

Coming Down

It was a great week for snowshoeing in Sumpter……can hardly wait until the next hike!

Visit the Sumpter Snowshoe Club here.

For more photos, visit:  Facebook.com/sumptersnowshoeing

Snowshoeing through Sumpter

It was a beautiful day for strapping on the snowshoes! All the snow had fallen the night before, the clouds drifted apart, and the sun kept us warm as we took one of my favorite walks through town.  This hike takes us through the State Park…then up into the center of town and over to my favorite part of town!

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Here you go Herb! Hope you enjoy the photos……!

Visit the Sumpter Snowshoe Club here.

Sumpter Snowshoeing

Whoopee!

First time on snowshoes this season…..lots of fresh powder and just about a month earlier than last season!

For the first snowshoe hike of the season, I chose the Sumpter Flea Market Grounds Trail. This will be the trail we will use for the New Year’s Eve hike. Details here. It is not a very long trail….approximately 2 miles or so. I stay fairly close to the western edge of the meadows, heading South for about 150 yards.  This is a popular playground for snowmobilers..so it is always best to stay along the edge of the meadows as you head away from the Flea Market Grounds.

Every year….I end up waiting to strap on the snowshoes for so long….that I have forgotten that I haven’t been on the trails since February! So the first hike is usually a fresh reminder of what it is like to break a new trail through knee-deep, soft snow.

Snowmobile trails often come in handy as a relief from the hard work of breaking trail.  Just be sure you don’t see or hear any snowmobiles in the immediate area, then if you’re lucky, the trail will be going the same way you are! You know those snowmobilers…they don’t always ride in a straight line….!  :)

One of the things I like about this trail is the historic Monighan Dragline that is parked at the Cracker Creek Museum of Mining. The trail brings you right through this unique outdoor museum..and since you are already wearing snowshoes….it’s kind of fun to take a few minutes to explore before continuing on the trail!  (and it also a great place to take a breather if you need one too!) Just be careful not to get too close to the equipment as there may be hazards that you cannot see under the deep snow.

If historic mining equipment interests you….be sure to plan a trip to Sumpter in the summer season so you can get a real good look at the all the rustic mining equipment! Watch for the Cracker Creek Museum website coming soon!

As you continue on the trail from the museum…you will notice the Sumpter Blue Mountain Snowmobile Club Groomer Shed.  This is where the big orange monster lives! Learn more about the local snowmobile club here.

You usually can follow the Snocat Groomer trail to the highway….be very careful of traffic from both directions and…..be very careful as you cross the highway as the pavement can be tricky with snowshoes.

 

Once across the highway, you can pick up the snowmobile trail again as it runs parallel to the highway.

You will now find yourself on the west side of the highway, with both the Sumpter Valley Dredge, and the Sumpter Valley Railroad tracks on your left. This sign is a great check point to ensure you are still on the right trail.  If you happen to be on the trail deeper in the season, you may not see anything but the speed sign!

This is an awesome view of the Sumpter Valley Dredge. Many years ago…there used to be a road at this point that served as the entrance to the State Park. These days, the trail stays on the East side of the park and the railroad tracks.  At this point, you are back to sharing the trail with snowmobilers so be listening and watching for the rest of the hike! Normally, the trail will take you on up to the Sumpter Railroad Depot, but on this first hike of the season, I decided to cut across to the State Park Office and finish the hike.

The best part of any snowshoe hike in Sumpter….is the fresh hot chocolate at the end of the trail!

Don’t forget the Annual New Year’s Eve Snowshoe hike on Monday, Dec 31st!  We will be meeting at the Sumpter Flea Market Grounds!

See you on the trail!