About Camas' Lacamas Lake

I thought I saw a Puddy Tat Bobcat along Lacamas Heritage Trail - I did, I did, did!

I felt just like Tweety Bird today when I spotted a big cat on the trail ahead of me during a run. My dog Mac, had been pulling on his leash and sniffing frantically at the brush when the cat suddenly came into view. It had a short-bob tail, long hind legs and tufted ears.

Naturally, I was a bit startled, and once it ran off the trail and out of view, I started doubting my eyes. "I thought I saw a Puddy Tat Bobcat." But, did I? Do bobcats live around here? Do they roam about during the daylight hours?

I've been running on Lacamas Heritage Trail year round for about five years. In that time, I've seen deer, rabbits, and a variety of water fowl and critters - but never a bobcat. Furthermore, they're not listed with the other area wildlife on trail information boards.

Fortunately, when I got back to the parking lot, a Camas Parks employee was performing maintenance. When I told her that I thought I saw a Puddy Tat Bobcat along the trail (Mile 1 & 1/4 from the Goodwin Road Trailhead), she smiled and nodded - according to her, I did, I did, I did!

"Sure," she said enthusiastically, " you bet there are bobcats around here, bummer you didn't have a camera." Argh - no kidding. Apparently, it's quite unusual to see one. That's due in part to their elusive nature and caution around humans. However, during winter months, you have a better chance to spot one because their prey is more active during the day.

Once I got back home, it didn't take long to "Google" bobcat sightings at Lacamas Lake. Sure enough in 2007, the Lacamas Shores neighborhood HOA issued a warning to its residents. That summer, several homeowners reported seeing a bobcat on their property. Folks were advised to keep cats and small pets indoors until the wild cat moved on.

There aren't any other Internet reports of bobcat sightings along the Lacamas Heritage Trail. Therefore, it really is a shame that I didn't have a camera, or my iPhone, in the pocket of my running jacket. Although, as fast as it happened, I'm not sure I would have been able to get a shot - especially with Mac pulling on the leash with curiosity.

It sure has made for an interesting morning and a fun subject to explore. Yes, the winter months in the Camas area certainly bring some unexpected delights from nature. The next time, "I thought I saw a Puddy Tat Bobcat on Lacamas Heritage Trail", I'll know for certain, I did, did, did!

Lacamas Shores is a great neighborhood along the Lacamas Heritage Trail - if you're interested in looking for a home in this wonderful outdoor setting, I'd love to be your guide. Let's explore your options.


Here's a short video about the neighborhood.

Lacamas Shores - A Great Place to Live - Market Update 11/11/11

One of our favorite Camas neighborhoods is Lacamas Shores. We spend alot of time on the trails around Lacamas Lake, and Lacamas Shores is a neighborhood nestled in the banks above the lake. Therefore, we're quite familiar with all the outdoor amenities the location offers it's homeowners. Residents enjoy close proximity to fishing, canoe and kayak paddling, water-skiing - and hiking and running trails.

Homes in Lacamas Shores

There are plenty of luxury homes for sale in Lacamas Shores at this time, some with lake views, golf course views, or a few offering both. The least expensive home listed is a short sale priced at $467,900. The most expensive home listed is priced at $1,495,000. Activity has been very slow, within the last three months, with only one pending sale and no solds. Perhaps it's the "perfect" time to make an offer.

Market Report





Here's a quick look at the Lacamas Shores neighborhood lifestyle with the Exploring Clark County duo, "Mac and Me."

Interested in the "Mac and Me" Video Series - Link: My YouTube Channel. Please subscribe - new videos are always in the works.

Pulling the plug on Lacamas Lake - 2011 Annual Clean-Up

Our dog McKinley’s favorite swimming hole is going to be closed soon. Lacamas Lake gets a lot use throughout the year from boaters, fishermen and stick-fetchers. Therefore, each year, it requires a little clean-up and maintenance.


The Annual Clean-up allows those of us who love the lake, a chance to help keep it looking beautiful. Georgia Pacific will pull the plug (lower the water level) on Lacamas Lake on September 17th, giving volunteers easier access to the lake.


Volunteers meet at the Heritage Trail boat launch parking lot, on Lake Road, Saturday at 9AM. Sponsors provide gloves, trash bags, area maps, water, coffee, and even food. However, don’t forget to bring along your waterproof boots.


Sponsors also award prizes, just in case you need a little more incentive to get out of bed on a weekend morning. Awards are given for the most trash collected, best group effort, and even the smelliest item found.


Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 17th. They’re pulling the plug on Lacamas Lake for the 2011 Annual Clean-Up. Let’s hope we don’t find a lot of McKinley’s white fur littering the shoreline.


Other Lacamas Lake Stories you might enjoy -

Lacamas Creek's Turning Red Again!

Pink Fluroecent Dog on the Loose - Lacamas Creek Warning

Lacamas Shores - A Great Place to Live

Lacamas Creek’s turning red again.


If you live along the Lacamas Creek watershed, don’t be alarmed if you see currents of fluorescent red plumes flowing through the creek tomorrow evening. For the second time this summer, researchers are using the dye to see where the water travels, and how long it lingers in direct sunlight.


Don’t worry, the dye is harmless to humans, pets and wildlife and normally dissipates within a mile of its starting point. Releases are generally done in the evening when fewer people are using the trail systems located around Lacamas Creek and its tributaries.


Researchers use a fluorometer to measure the dyes concentration in the water and then feed the data into a computer model. The goal of the project is to learn how to improve Lacamas Creek’s overall water quality which is crucial to the watershed’s fish populations.


Previous dye releases along Lacamas Creek took place at the end of July. Ecology officials say the dye is commonly used in watersheds for this type of research. Water temperature and oxygen levels are both important factors in providing a healthy habitat for fish.


Chances are most of us won’t see much of a change in the water color. But, if you do notice that Lacamas Creek’s turning red again, don’t be alarmed. The Department of Ecology meant to do that.

If you're interested in living along the the Lacamas Creek watershed, let's explore your options.

Pink Fluorescent Dog on the Loose - Lacamas Creek Warning

One of my favorite running trails is Heritage Trail in Camas which leads to Lacamas Lake where we let Mac, our white Golden Retriever, swim. He's fun to run with because the trail is bordered in large part, by Lacamas Creek. He plunges in, swims against the current, hops back out, then runs to the next spot where he can jump back in again. He does this all the way to the lake.

Imagine our surprise if we had not read the paper this morning – today, the stream will change color – as in fluorescent red! I’m trying to imagine what Mac would look like emerging from the creek a whole new color – like wow, psychedelic pink! And imagine the surprise for other runners and hikers to see a pink fluorescent dog on the loose.

The red color will come from a dye that water quality researchers are releasing into the watershed. According to the Department of Ecology, the dye is environmentally harmless, but allows researchers to measure water speed and flow in different parts of the creek. The study will help them learn more about the factors that contribute to water quality issues along the creek.

Watersheds – which eventually flow into our water supply - are subjected to all kinds of pollution – not just the industrial pollution we read about. Many times it’s simply run off from suburban lawns and gardens that are over-fertilized. Something to consider when you’re trying to go green with your grass – a little goes a long way.

So unfortunately, we won’t be letting Mac swim in Lacamas Creek for a while – even if the red dye is for a green cause. It’s enough work trying to hose him off when he’s muddy, so I’m not sure what it would take to get him back to his normal color. The paper says we can expect the red dye to last for the next three days. How do you clean a pink fluorescent dog?