I know I've talked about hiker's luck before, but on Monday it seemed like a real thing. While loading the SUV at Rite Aid, Alison predicted rain today, my reply was... " or not." Then driving up I-5 we noticed dark clouds and as we took Exit 30 we started to get a light rain that got heavier as we drove the 35 miles up to Lost Creek Lake. Then as we started our hike from the Talelma Day Use area the rain stopped! We had no rain on our 5-mile out and back along the west side of the lake.

On the hike, we crossed several footbridges over tributary creeks running into the lake. The air and the lake were calm and some golden trees reflected on the water.

While hiking on the Rogue River Trail heading east through forests we saw one, two, three White Eagles flying overhead. One perched on a branch straight out from the trail and Randy got a picture.

Our group of 14, hiked out on the trail for about an hour and twenty minutes until we reached the wide finger of water created by Lost Creek flowing into the lake. From there we started to notice waterfowl and birder Jon started keeping a count. Besides the three Eagles, he spotted Merganzer ducks and Cormorants among others.

Now it was time to head back to the TH where three picnic tables awaited us with permanent blue canopy coverings for lunch. In the middle of a jovial lunch, rain started pelting the metal roof of the canopy. At first, I thought we could wait it out but after about ten minutes of the wet stuff some started to call it a day. Most of the group agreed and started loading the cars.

Jerry led the guys (Randy, Gary, and Michael) through the rain over to William Jess Dam to complete the second part of the combination hike. They took several good photos.