6 miles of hiking • 1750' elevation gain •
The Hike: Not a soul in the whole area and 72 degrees with maybe 8mph wind on top of the knoll. The beginning climb is steep in places but never too steep and the views starting from the first rock outcropping at about 3/4 mile are spectacular. Hood River and HR Mtn, Adams, Hood, the Gorge, Dog and Aug, it was just fabulous. Found 1 3ft patch of snow at 3800ft, Had lunch at Grassy Pass and headed back, from what I've read in many many places the ROI for the trip to Big Huckleberry is not worth it unless you want the exercise. :) The lovely undulating trail along the ridge made this one of my favorite hikes to date.
The Flowers: They are everywhere and very pretty, some just past prime, some just coming into prime depending on where you are on the trail. Another week or two and might be even prettier.
The road: WOW, that was fun! Not NEARLY as bad as I was expecting, seriously. On the way down I was driving over the pot holes on purpose... but I just bought an older CRV for our trail car and I would NEVER have gotten the Prius up here. So if you have a passenger car it may be difficult in about 5 places over the course of the 12 miles of gravel. With good driving and a car that isn't too low it IS possible. If you have even a little higher clearance vehicle this road is a breeze and it is a really beautiful drive.
The food: Turkey and provolone on Cheese buns with spinach and Momma-Lil's peppers, Kettle chips, and Clearly Tangerine Kombucha. Butter horns for dessert.... now THAT's hiking.
