Oregon's Hosmer: A Closed Lake with Salmon

Sitting silently in our canoe, listening to the sound of fly rods whistling in the evening air.

Quick Tips:

Motors are not allowed on the lake. The only type of fishing allowed is fly.

Best Way To Get Around:

Boat. You'll need a car to get to Hosmer.

My favorite Oregon campground, with large campsites and plenty of trees. In recent times pine beetles were a big problem, which is clear when you visit the area. Dead pine trees with sap sacks abound, signs of the destruction wrought by beetles. However, the forest is slowly recovering. You''ll need to provide your own table, and dig a sanitary hole as neither tables nor toilets are provided. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended, as the dirt roads can be difficult. This is a public campground in a wilderness area.

Our spot was on the "lake" (actually a reservoir), which was low because of the time of year (August). As always, we enjoyed riding our mountain bikes on the trails and having a totally private campsite.

With plenty of turns, different qualities of sand and the possibility to ride any distance you want, this trail is great fun for beginner-intermediate mountain bikers. When attacking the soft sand, be sure you've built up enough speed so as not to get stuck! And watch out for the potholes that form in the harder areas, usually signaled by small rocks. Once you've become accustomed to the trail, you'll be able to scream around, artfully avoiding all obstacles and feeling like a real pro.

The best time to fish is in the evening. Go out just before twilight, and drink in the peaceful surroundings: mountains, trees, marsh grass and silence broken only by the "whish" of fellow fly fishers, along with an occasional oar splash. Though the lake is filled with salmon and so clear that you can see them swimming beneath you, they're a bit picky. The idea here is to enjoy being on the lake, and not worry about catching anything.

In the summer, a ski lift operates at Bachelor to allow visitors to reach the summit and take advantage of the view. Once at the top of the ski lift, follow the signs to the summit, another hundred feet above. From Bachelor you can see the Three Sisters and Broken Top. Bring a warm jacket and wear good hiking shoes, as the climb is tricky.

Take out your canoe or kayak to visit this astoundingly clear lake. Since motors are not allowed, silence is the order of the day. While canoeing you'll be able to greet salmon swimming beneath you. Towards the northeast end of the lake is a spring, surrounded by lush vegetation. With Bachelor, Broken Top and the Three Sisters in the background, there are plenty of photo opportunities.

Late summer is the best time to visit, as the mosquitoes aren't so present, and usually it doesn't rain. (Usually. This is Oregon, after all!)