We had a decent turnout for Thanksgiving week as 9 hikers headed out for Dutchman's Peak. The way there is long and dusty and I kept Liz and her crew in my mirror at critical junctures. Towards the end of the drive there is a crossroads with multiple roads leading out and failure to distinguish taking the road at 9 o'clock versus the road at 6:30 or the road at 11 could lead to disastrous consequences. All went well although FS 20 was a bit of a washboard in places. The ruts in the last mile failed to swallow Liz's Subaru and we arrived at the PCT intersection on the ridge.

The weather was fine, with a light breeze, and we were shedding our winter jackets along the way. The windows of the lookout had been shuttered and the power turned off but the maps were there. We had a leisurely lunch while pointing out the points of interest in the 360 degree view. The lookout is at 7,450 feet so very little obstructs the view from the Crater Lake Rim to Shasta, Mount Eddy and the Red Buttes. To the north there was a clear view to Mt. Thiessen and in the south to Marble Mountain. A good pair of binoculars came in handy.

Mainly downhill after lunch and off we went to Boomtown for fries. The most exciting part of the day was, in the absence of our accountant, Tracy, my ending up with far too much money and having to reapportion the surplus. Several dubious theories were offered but Allison finally doled it all out evenly. One can hope no grudges will remain over a dollar lost or gained. TRACY, come back!!

John