The six square-mile Roaring River Wilderness, about 70 miles from home, is a real treat – – – glacial-gouged lakes, open sub-alpine meadows, old-growth timber, huckleberries and rough terrain.

The views are excellent of Mt. Hood and the surrounding area.

After parking near Hideaway lake, I spent 6 1/2 hours on a beautiful, sunny day hiking a 12 1/2-mile loop with many steep ascents and descents along the way.

Shellrock Lake, the Rock Lakes, Serene Lake and Cache Meadow were some of the highlights of the trek.