see. it doesn't have to snow this winter. i've already seen snow.

i saw snow last may when my sister helen and atlas and i went to lost lake and found ourselves driving through snow to get there. it was a warm day in portland and i thought hiking around a lake would be a great way to cool off.

we arrived at the lost lake campground – ready for a picnic and a hike around the lake – only to discover that it was chilly and snow-covered and the trail was mostly inaccessible. apparently they had plowed the road in order to open the campground for the year only a few hours before we arrived.

(i commented on how surprised i was to run into snow and helen said, "didn't you see the line in the guidebook where it said alpine lake?" apparently i did not. i was wearing shorts and sandals. let's just say that hiking in snow in sandals is not for the faint of feet.)

chill aside, lost lake has a lovely view of mount hood.