Hosmer Lake is considered one of the most beautiful clear-water lakes in the Cascade Range. It is actually 2 small lakes connected by a channel.
After we set up our camp, we had an afternoon glide across open water rimmed with lily pads, bullrushes and sedges, and outcrops of volcanic rock. The lovely, snow-capped peaks of the Three Sisters (volcanoes), provided a stunning background.
George said this glide was the most lovely one we've ever done, and he wants to go back. We saw quite a few anglers - the lake was culled of all 'trash' fish, and is now known for its trout and Atlantic salmon ( stocked). Only fly fishing is allowed, catch and release. You could see those huge, beautiful fish swimming in the shallows - they looked about 14 inches.
We saw many birds - American coots, Pied-billed greebes, Barrow's golden eye, and a sly bunch of camp-robbers waiting for us to finish our dinner - they were so bold they perched on the table for left-overs. And, I got a big chipmunk on film, scolding me for violating his territory.
This photo was taken about 7:00 in the morning, after we just about froze most of the night. It got down to 34 degrees - the elevation here is 5,000 feet, so it was hot during the day, about 80 degrees, and cold at night! The mist is rising off the lake, but here you see only the meadow next to our tent. We enjoyed walking through this tall grass, and it was lovely, with frosted highlights early in the morning.
I made coffee and George made a fire, both helped warm us up! Frost was everywhere, even on our chairs, so I danced around the fire until things warmed up. As soon as the sun was up for about an hour, we were shedding jackets and vests. Summer had replaced the frost.
