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Oregon Bushhackers' Second Annual Fish Lake Cleanup Run: August 5-6, 2000

By: Gil Meacham

Oregon Bushhackers Fish Lake Cleanup Crew Photo by: Gil Meacham

In 1998, several members of the Oregon Bushhackers mail list had an exploratory run to Fish Lake.

We followed an easy 4 wheel drive powerline service road to a short spur road. At the end of the spur road, we came upon a beautiful alpine lake with a few primitive campsites. The lake was fed from snow fields high on the ridges above it. It was a beautiful setting. Unfortunately, some thoughtless campers had left a lot of rubbish in the fire pits and strewn around the lake. There was also a partially sunken hull of a fiberglass boat. We decided to organize a combination camp out and cleanup run the next summer.

Our trip to the lake with several members the next year was encouraging, as some fellow lake campers had cleaned up some of the trash, but we still hauled off several bags of trash. We used a canoe to retrieve many beer and pop cans off the lake bottom near the shore. After the trip, the lake looked a lot more pristine and we elected to make the Fish Lake Cleanup an annual trip.

Fish Lake, Oregon Photo by: Gil Meacham

We held the 2nd annual Fish Lake Cleanup run August 5th and 6th, 2000. As with other Bushhacker runs, we use e-mail to coordinate picking up members along the route. After 3 stops along the way, our group consisted of:

Susie Wedlake, 1998 Jeep TJ with Gil Meacham as passenger; Gordon Compton, 1986 Jeep CJ7; Victor Lapp, 1999 Jeep TJ with Julie Lapp as passenger; Rick Lewin, 1975 Toyota Land Cruiser with Kathy Lewin as passenger; Bill Lewey, 1979 Jeep CJ5 with his two daughters as passengers; and Ken Eshelby, 1967 Diesel Toyota Land Cruiser.

We had a beautiful drive up the Breitenbush River to the trailhead. The weather was warm and sunny. The road to the lake had some easy rock crawling, and good vistas. Since the camping is first come/first serve we were delighted to find the large lakeside site was available. Shortly after we arrived at camp, we were joined by Katie Bretsh driving her 2000 Isuzu Amigo.

It was encouraging to see that the campsites were cleaner this year than last. We found a lot less trash thrown around the camp sites, but there was still plenty for us to pick up.

Ken had to get back to Salem, so he started cleaning right off. He picked up a lot of trash off the trail, cleaned up the fire pits, and chatted a bit before heading back to town.

Meanwhile, the rest of us were busy setting up camp and checking out the fishing. We brought along a Porta-Bote and Bill Lewey brought along his canoe, so we started picking up trash along lake's edge. The fishing was slow, but there was plenty of trash to "catch" and the weather was so nice it was "good fishing".

Fishing for Trash Photo by: Gil Meacham

We planned to have a potluck dinner, and what a fantastic gourmet treat it became. Cured salmon with dill on garlic bread was the start, with a fresh melon salad to follow. Barbecued mushroom, corn on the cob, and baked potatoes accompanied the main course of meats. Dessert was provided by Katie, and it consisted of rum glazed peaches with whipped cream. The meal was unbelievable.

After enjoying the campfire, we all turned in. We had to get plenty of rest for the next meal!

Early next morning, we all got up and enjoyed Gordon's great blueberry pancakes ala Krusteaz! After Susie's French Vanilla Mocha coffee topped off with whipped cream and shaved chocolate, we were off to another hard day of trash and trail riding.

We really got into the trash pickup. At one point, Katie even dove for cans at the bottom of the lake! The reward was a much cleaner Fish Lake than we found it, and certainly more pristine than we first found it in 1998.

As four wheelers, we have responsibility to continue to improve the areas we visit. If not, we may lose the battle to keep our right to access these wonderful places.

Contacts:	Related Links:
Gil Meacham, Oregon Bushhackers	Oregon Bushhackers Mail List Oregon Department of Forestry 4x4Wire's Environmental Policy Links from the 4x4Wire Link Index Blue Ribbon Coalition Tread Lightly!