2015 Trips
Mt. Margaret Backcountry-S. Coldwater TH to St. Helens Lake and beyond
13.5 miles of hiking • 3000' elevation gain •
WATER!!! everywhere....just no way to access it. Learned that lesson on Saturday, after 8 hours, a great sunburn that now reads tan, 3 ltrs of water that just got me through, and a total of nearly 14 mi and 3k ft elevation. Despite the water issue, could not have asked for a better day. Amazing views of St. Helens and Adams, gorgeous young forest on the way up to Ridge Camp, and overall got exactly what I came for. Grateful to Mother Nature for the cool water of Coldwater Lake that rehydrated me after and having the backcountry to myself for the first 6 hours of my hike.
May 30, 2015
Angel's Rest-stretching the legs
5 miles of hiking • 1500' elevation gain •
A good cool-down hike after Table Mt. the day before. Good training for Zion this summer-feeling ready. Took some friends up the hill for the great views, which never disappoint. Heavy trail traffic coming down confirmed that an early start is always better, especially in the Gorge.
May 3, 2015
Table Mountain
11 miles of hiking • 3500' elevation gain •
Awesome tough hike up Table Mt. this past weekend. Plenty of sweeping views once getting off Heartbreak Ridge and through the rock field. Took the N ridge route back down, which opened us up to Rainer, St. Helens and Adams. Tip of Jefferson peaked out at is during lunch which, when combined with Hood, made this a 5 peak day. Fantastic!
May 2, 2015
2
Butte Camp via "oops I forgot the map and got lost" trail
7.5 miles of hiking • 750' elevation gain • 1 night
So this 2.5 mile jaunt to stay the night at 4,000' Butte Camp on St. Helens turned into a fun-filled morning of re-tracing steps back to the sign which says nothing about Butte Camp. With the trail map firmly upon the kitchen counter, we did our best and finally made it up to the camp, where nary a dry spot was to be found among the remaining 6 inches of snow. Nonetheless, set up camp quickly and enjoyed an evening of meditation upon the sounds of nature and nothing else-since we were the only human souls left up there, as far as we could tell, once the sun went down. A beautiful experience worth repeating-perhaps after a bit more snow-melt.
April 18 – April 19, 2015
Dog Mountain-not yet in full bloom but no less gorgeous
7.5 miles of hiking • 3000' elevation gain •
Not quite in full bloom yet, but showing signs of life in the meadow as well as the forest. This trek was challenging for this first-timer, only because folly set in and I left my poles at home! ouch go the knees and joints, but still a worthwhile and wonderful hike. Very crowded, but lunch at the top chatting with a father-son combo in training for St. Helens was fun, as was joking with others on the trail. Certainly worth hitting up again in a couple weeks to see the blooms, and the ongoing training for a Zion through-hike this summer.
April 5, 2015
Angel's Rest
4.5 miles of hiking • 1750' elevation gain •
An amazing morning trek up with all the other short trail, live for the views, enthusiasts. An acquaintance visiting from out of town prompted this trip and the views did not disappoint. Though we could spot the ominous dark clouds rolling in through Portland by mid-morning, making our summit short-lived. Got back to car just in time as the drops started to fall, then headed to Edgefield for a much deserved pint and veg burger!
April 3, 2015
LL Stub Stewart State Park
3.5 miles of hiking • 500' elevation gain • 2 nights
A worthwhile trip for disc-golf, short hike-in camping, and camping with the offspring. This trip was even more worthwhile because of the community fire rings at the hike-in camp...a host of entertaining characters provided ample laughter on both nights. Sadly, the OMSI star party was cancelled due to clouds/rain, but good times were had by all nonetheless. Saw deer, pileated woodpeckers and snakes on the trail-wonderful area early in the morning.
March 27 – March 29, 2015
Smith Rock State Park loop
5 miles of hiking • 1000' elevation gain • 2 nights
Gorgeous mixed weather...while our friends climbed we braved the steep terrain up and over Smith Rock then along the river loop. We spotted a pair of bald eagles and their nest, river otter floating, Heron fishing, hawks & turkey vultures, and one would even swear we saw a black bear across the way from a distance hanging out on a ledge-can't say for sure without distance lenses. Torrential storms ensued in the afternoon which made for a nice wind-down in Bend for dinner, drinks and bar games. Fun times had by all.
March 22 – March 24, 2015
Forest Park from lower Saltzman loop
12 miles of hiking • 1750' elevation gain •
A great Spanish lesson with my student as we hiked in heavy rain, with a few temporary breaks. Got lost once-oops-since bridge washed out and had to backtrack. Made for more elevation gain as we headed back the way we came and on around. Finally made it down Saltzman past the runners and walkers...encantado.
March 15, 2015
2
Tanner Creek
12 miles of hiking • 1250' elevation gain •
Great forest trek up an old service road followed by some serious wilderness trekking off the beaten path. A machete and a chain saw would have been helpful for this one-serious overgrowth and fell trees/rocks all along the path.
March 8, 2015
Cascade Head
5 miles of hiking • 1250' elevation gain •
A gorgeous Oregon Coast day. Wildlife a'plenty including bald eagle, large herd of elk, ladybugs, and centipedes crossing our path (or us crossing theirs). Overlooking the Salmon River and the coastline from this vantage point is a great reminder of how small we are in this world, and how blessed we are to see such beautiful things in this lifetime.
February 21, 2015
Amazing Table Rock
7 miles of hiking • 1500' elevation gain •
Gorgeous 180 degree view: viewable peaks included St. Helens, Rainier, Adams, Hood, Three-Fingered Jack and all Three Sisters. After a short jaunt to the top, and braving the windy ridge out to the edge of Table Rock for lunch, we were in awe over the visibility and beauty that spread out before us.
February 15, 2015
Multnomah-Wahkeena Falls Loop to Angel's Rest
11 miles of hiking • 1750' elevation gain •
An incredibly beautiful hike up, up, up via Wahkeena Falls/Springs just west of Multnomah Falls. At the junction up above we headed over and down to Angel's Rest for lunch then back via the Multnomah Falls loop to join the tourists. A gorgeous day.
January 25, 2015
Eagle Creek to Punchbowl Falls after the rain
4.5 miles of hiking • 500' elevation gain •
Awesomeness after heavy rain in Oregon last couple days. Lots of rocks had slid down the walls of this gorge, and a plethora of fresh falls that normally are out of sight. Punchbowl, upper and lower, were raging. Full creek, handful of mates on the trail, great short hike-including a slightly treacherous crossing of Eagle Creek just before the Punchbowl drop-in.
January 19, 2015
Salmon River-Mt. Hood/Huckleberry Wilderness
10 miles of hiking • 1000' elevation gain •
An amazing meander the first couple miles, then up, up, up over the last two. Amazing, clear January day with friends-views of the Salmon River Gorge, raging water, and solace above it all!
January 10, 2015
View trips from: 2015