J and K Adventures: Bohemia Mountain

About once a year, if we are lucky, my friend Leanne and I are able to get together. This year, Leanne, was able to come up to Oregon. Leanne and I are childhood friends and it is a real pleasure to be able to spend time with her. She lives in the "Silly-Con" valley of California and this spring she had an old cartilage injury repaired. She told us she was in total grateful bliss to be back on the trails with her dear friends,

The plan for our day together was to drive southeast of Cottage Grove, past Dorena Lake, up Brice Creek Road to the saddle between Fairview and Bohemia Mts., then take the the trail to the top of Bohemia Mt. The Bohemia area was where gold was discovered in the late 1800's. Much of the area in South Lane County was settled because of gold discovery and timber cutting. The Bohemia mts. are still riddled with mine shafts and covered with clear cuts.

It was a stunning day. The temp was about 80 with a nice breeze, and most of the smoke from forest fires in the area had blown away. We enjoyed the scenery as we drove past the lake and up Row River. We stayed to the right and turned up Brice Creek Road and soon were on the windy, narrow gravel road that led to the summit.

Dear Friends: Kathy and Leanne, class of '69

At every bend in the road lay oohs and ahhs

Road stop to pee and see flowers.

Wild flowers added large amounts of colors

The road got more narrow and more rutty and more muddy as we continued. Finally we arrived at a parking lot at the saddle at about 5000 ft. As we got out of the car, we could see the road to Fairview lookout on our right, and the path to the top of Bohemia Mt. to our left. Green mountains and hills spread out in the distance as far as our eyes could see, the visibility affected by distance and haze. The sky was a brilliant blue. Big squares of different hues on the hillsides indicated clear cuts. Several roads led down from the saddle following creek valleys......4-wheel drive only.

We packed up our food and drink and grabbed our hiking sticks, and headed up a rocky narrow path. Soon we were going up and up and up through meadows lined with wildflowers and grasses and patches of stunted firs and cedars. Despite the elevation gain and need for frequent stops to breathe, we enjoyed the cool breeze and warm sun and increasingly jaw-dropping views as we ascended. I had to keep my eyes on the trail as we hiked. It was rocky, steep, narrow and full of roots. But when we stopped and looked up to see the view.....Wow! We kept making what we thought would be the final push to the summit (Leanne said "summit fever") but we kept getting fooled. Anyway, we came to a natural spot for a picnic between two rocky promontories, and settled down for photography and lunch. I crept up the rock for a better view and was nose to nose with the Three Sisters. I could almost see the climbers headed for the summit on the South Sister (slight exaggeration). Good thing none of us has vertigo!

Fairview Mountain Lookout from the saddle

Windy up there but gorgous

As high as the sky

A long way down

The Three Sisters in the distance


Lunch on the rocks

After a long rest, we were ready to continue. We didn't think it could be much further. But we kept going up and around. Each time we thought we were at the top, but were disappointed. Finally we came to the end of the trail and sure enough, the choice was to stop or to go hand over hand up the rock. The trip up had drained me of enough energy, that I didn't want to make the effort. We still had to go back down after all. My team members agreed, and we declared victory and gave a salute to the mountain. After a break, we headed down. Again, the scenery took our breaths away as we descended. We took our time as the steepness seemed amplified while going down.

I was being very careful to put my feet and sticks down carefully because of all the rocks and roots in the path. And I was tired. Anyway, my foot slipped on a rock and I went down over the bank. Luckily, I thought fast and went into a roll. My backpack took some of the brunt also. And there was some vegetation that slowed me. Anyway, I looked up at my worried companions on the path above and felt pretty foolish and pretty lucky! A brief examination showed only a couple of scrapes and scratches and no major damage. Yay! We continued down the trail even more slowly and deliberately and were soon in the parking lot. We sure felt victorious as we got in the car and headed down the road.

The rocky path down

Mt. Fairview on the right (with the lookout) and Bohemia Mt. on the left: We climbed to the top.

After our victorious climb, we headed down Brice Creek to Cedar Creek campground. The Brice Creek Trail goes along the creek for about 7 miles and has many lovely stops. We crossed the bridge and didn't have to go far to find a swimming hole.

Over the bridge

The trail is accessible and beautiful

Cooling our sore tootsies

Looking downstream

Jeff enjoys the "music" of the creek

The light from the setting sun through the trees.....magical.

After that respite, we headed to CG for some darn good Thai food. Sadly, this was Leanne's last day in the PNW. We love you, Leanne. Hurry back soon!

Just some brief notes from me - Jeff

Wow, wow and wow! Perfect weather, perfect day and perfect companions to share it with. It was revealing to watch Kathy with a dear friend of 49 years as they chatted, laughed and giggled over times and people gone by. The topics varied from past to present but the conversation was never boring. I felt at ease and looked at Leanne as a simpatico soul. Kat hustled up the trail like she was born to climb - she never let on that the challenging trail ever bothered her. Leanne, just 4 1/2 months out of surgery was a medical miracle. It made me feel that if she could handle it, then so could I!! Getting to the top was truly an accomplishment. We didn't get a chance to sign the log book but it doesn't tarnish the memory - we did it. Coming down was harder than going up. Not being able to feel the bottom of my feet was scary as there were so many loose, shale rocky areas to transverse and I was so tired. My walking sticks paid for themselves once again. What I kept telling myself was there was only one way out and that was me going one foot by one foot. When Kat stumbled, my heart missed a beat - she handled it better then I did and Leanne was more composed then I was. I had said early on that this was a non 911 kind of day and I was only to happy to see that vision come true. Brice Creek is amazing, so close and a place I want to check out again in the near future. There is magic in the water as it flows by. I could hear it whisper a gentle tune that brought my BP down 10 points and soothed the ache's of the day.

Once again, I am one very blessed individual! Here are a few more favorite moments...