Better late than never...  It's been a busy summer and since the rains have come I've got some time to do a trip report. 

This trip was the next weekend after our Trask Mt. trip and since we were in between fishing seasons and we wanted to used the new camper we headed out.  Mill Creek is just outside of Prineville. It's not usually busy and we found that to be the case.   We arrived mid day on Friday to a pretty empty campground.  There was only 3 others set up.

I love the Ochoco's and the pondarosa pine forest. One of the landmarks of this area are the Pillars.  Here is Steins Pillar...

The Campground is also a trailhead into the actual Mill Creek Wilderness. 

Saturday morning after a good breakfast, we headed up the trail.  We didn't have any real destination other than to get to a good view point.

I've been here before but since the last visit, a forest fire came through the area a few years ago.  The fire changed the forest and is probably why it's not very popular. 

Mill Creek

On the way back in one of the deeper holes I spotted this little guy.  I'd guess he was a good 9" or so.  Not bad for such a little "crick".  If you look close there's another one just below him almost under the log. 

We ended up hiking about 7 miles round trip.  We got back to camp mid afternoon and the temperature was well into the 90's. It was time to relax, grab a solar shower, and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.  One great thing about having a camper is having a fridge and the ability to make ice on the road.  Nothing like a little rum and coke...

And of course dinner...

Another great trip and a couple more nights in the FWC.  We're still getting used to it and slowly getting it tuned.  So far the MPG's on the truck show a less than 1 MPG drop which isn't bad considering some of the trips have a lot of miles off the pavement.  Can't complain about that. 

We ended up taking the long was home via Prineville Res. and the Crooked River.  We checked out the campgrounds at the lake and it didn't appeal to us.  The south side looks better and we'll need to go back and take a look so maybe we'll bring the boat with us for an extended stay. 

Lovin' the FWC and it's simplicity. 

Happy trails,

The Outcast Campers