2021 Trips To Date
1
North Augspurger
10 miles of hiking • 2500' elevation gain •
Dog TH packed at 0900 on a Tuesday, and the flower show has not even begun yet! Drove around to the Northern Augsperger TH. I went up via Berge Road to sometimes rough 2700 (but you can also go up on the east side from Willard).
Only saw one other hiker on the Augsperger trail, it's a bit brushy, some snow in the trees just north of the summit, but trail not really necessary-just stay on ridge. A few miles south of summit, I turned off onto the powerline access road, heading northwest, trying to get to the "secret scree field"(zoomed in last picture). Didnt quite get there, but now have an approach figured out. The views from the northern mile of Augsperger are terrific, it's basically the whole Gifford! You can see from Table Mountain all the way to Adams. So much more to explore up here!
April 20, 2021
2
Mt Griffin
1 miles of hiking • 500' elevation gain • 1 night
The Mount Tahoma Trails Association has developed a system of ski trails with alpine huts and yurts on state land near Ashford, WA. The forest itself is bland reprod and the trails are logging roads which are great for skiing, maybe not so great for hiking. But the views from the huts are worth it! We visited the High Hut, then Snowbowl hut and camped nearby. The next day we went to the yurt and then climbed Mt Griffin!
This was a 19 mile ski trip with 4000 ft gain, but I'm just counting the climb. Wanted to post some pics .
April 12 – April 13, 2021
1
Up Snowden
6 miles of hiking • 500' elevation gain •
Accessed the north side of the White Salmon trails via Bates Road. Saw some ticks, deers and a lone mtn biker.
April 6, 2021
2
West Onion Peak
12.5 miles of hiking • 2500' elevation gain •
Took Hug Point Road to Onion Peak Road to Dave's Spur. Didn't quite make it to summit via bushwack. Got chilled with wet shrubs and rain. Want to return with my bike to get to Onion Peak proper.
March 30, 2021
2
Fort to Sea trail
13 miles of hiking • 750' elevation gain •
On Monday, I hiked the Kwis Kwis/Fort to Sea figure 8 loop. It goes through the coastal forest of the park and you pass some lovely wetlands. Lots of skunk cabbage. Very pleasant hike, saw only 2 pairs of hikers.
Wednesday, I returned and started at Sunset Beach, heading east on the Fort to Sea trail. After you leave the forested state park, you are led around Camp Rilea, and through cow pastures via a creepy fenced hallway. Then you take a tunnel under highway 101. It's interesting, but I cant really recommend this section unless you like scotch broom, barbed wire and the roar of traffic.
March 29, 2021
2
Deschutes West
9 miles of hiking • 1000' elevation gain • 1 night
I visited two different spots on the west side of the Deschutes River. First I parked at the Heritage Boat Ramp and walked upriver on the Rockpile Trail. I went up about 2 miles and stopped to sketch and relax in my chair. I had gone well past the trail end line on my map, not sure how long it continues.
I then had to do some driving to get to my next spot-Freebridge! I took the Fifteen Mile Creek road to get there. When the road starts to drop down into the river canyon, there is a gate and a sign warning of primitive narrow conditions. I parked at a safe flat spot and walked down. Very pleasant. I had to walk on the RR tracks for a bit to get upstream to my camp. Didnt see any other humans. Enjoyed watching the sheep on the hillside across the river from my camp.
March 23 – March 24, 2021
1
Cruzatt
9 miles of hiking • 2000' elevation gain •
Went up towards St Cloud, but veered off to visit Gable Falls. Fun bushwacking up to Cruzatt Rim. The long flat walk westerly on the plateau was very pleasant. Lots of old roads and trails to explore out here.
March 16, 2021
2
Lower Greenleaf Falls and Mosslandia
9 miles of hiking • 1500' elevation gain •
Was inspired by Sarah's recent trip to the area. Bushwacking through poison oak involved.
March 14, 2021
2
Hospital Hill
10 miles of hiking • 1750' elevation gain •
Love these steep oak covered woodlands. The vegetation is waking up, a few flowers starting to pop. Spring will be here soon!
March 9, 2021
2
Dog Thief Point
4 miles of hiking • 750' elevation gain •
This is just a logging road hike on Stimson Lumber property to a former LO site. I parked at the gate on Military Creek road, then hiked up to 303, then 303A, then bushwacked up a ridge. Also found on some pretty good elk trails.
Arrived in a snowstorm, but then the sky turned blue all around, luring me out of the car with inadequate footwear. . It was really a giant suckerhole, but it mostly held for my couple hours in the woods.
March 7, 2021
1
Crown Point Basin
4 miles of hiking • 750' elevation gain •
Bushwack in the rain without a care in the world! Well for a few hours anyhow. Went down to the lake to photograph the tundra swans. Someone has turned the cement building at the old Knierem home site into a shelter- might still be living there-creepy!
March 5, 2021
2
Coyote Wall Loop
7 miles of hiking • 1500' elevation gain •
Came up Coyote Creek to the Wizard Trail(trail closed signs on top ,but not on bottom-oops!). Grass widows are blooming. Gorgeous day. Also stopped and had a visit with Sweeney the resident mountain goat near Stevenson.
March 2, 2021
4
Desert Escape
37 miles of hiking • 7000' elevation gain • 4 nights
Had a 6 day trip to the desert. Camped 4 nights, stayed in hotel first and last night. Rented a jeep so I could access the remote spots. Had some fun desert hiking every day!
1) Clark Mountain-highpoint of Mojave National Preserve.Visited plane crash site, but then failed to summit because I got sketched out on knife edge ridge. No trails, alone in the wilderness, figured I should play it safe. Drove to Kingman AZ and stayed in hotel. 4 mi, 1700 ft
2) Warm Spring Butte-highpoint of Warm Springs Wilderness, east of Golden Shores AZ. Very rough road in. My favorite hike of the trip- part of the motivation was the petroglyphs. Tons! Also fun desert rambling and scrambling and route finding.Saw burros, a herd of bighorn and A FOX! Wonderful warm comfy night in camp with bright moon and the occasional braying burro. 6 mi, 1800 ft.
3) Buffington Pockets. Drove back to Vegas and picked up my buddy at the airport. we then headed over to the Valley of Fire area, and took the "Bitter Springs Back Country Byway" to Buffington Pockets. The road was so gnarly, even in the high clearance jeep. But we had solitude. Very cool layered sandstone rock formations, fun slot canyon wanderings. However soon after we set up our tents in a very pretty spot, the winds came in and howled all night. We had to reinforce stakes with stacks of rocks and even put rocks inside the tent! At times my tent poles would push on my head as my tent was flattened on top of me. Very noisy, down to the 29 degrees. In the morning, despite the bright sun we had trouble warming up, so instead of going to nearby Valley of Fire, we decided to head south to Mojave. 3 miles 500 ft.
4) Hole in the Wall-Barber Peak and Ring loop. Mojave National Preserve. This loop hike, actually goes around the mountain. The best part is Banshee Canyon which has eroded holes in the tuff like the Honeycombs, some slot canyons, and the "ring sections" which are sturdy metal rings to assist climbing up two of the slots. Long drive, stayed at campground which was tolerable, but it was too cold to hang out after the sun went down.6 miles, 700 ft
5) Teutonia Peak-in Mojave National Preserve. This formation is on the shoulder of Cima Dome, and was (formerly) located in the densest stand of Joshua Trees. Unfortunately much of the JT forest burned last year. The landscape was bleak, with no new growth apparent yet on the desert floor. Fun scrambling on the top! 3.5 mi, 800 ft
6) Arizona Hot Spring. We drove to the area near Hoover Dam the night before, found a canyon wash to drive up, and stayed in Horsethief Canyon. Wonderful warm night under a full moon. Did not have to dive into our tents when the sun went down. Drank too much whiskey. We did manage to get to TH early as this is a very popular hike. Hiked down one canyon to Hotsprings, then visited the Colorado River and hiked up the adjacent canyon. The long trudge out in loose gravel was more challenging than we expected. Hangover did not help. 7 mi 750 ft
7) Anniversary Narrows. We stayed in a hotel the last night because my buddy had an early flight. I however had all day. Went to the Lake Mead NRA, east of Vegas, and visited this cool slot canyon off the North Shore Road. Fantastic! Added some fun side scrambles. 7.5 miles, 800 ft
February 21 – February 25, 2021
3
Newton Road upper loop
5 miles of hiking • 750' elevation gain •
Sad week. I've been caring for my mom on hospice for the past two months,and she died on Wednesday. Feeling really numb. The woods were just the balm I needed.
Forest Park was eerily quiet. Germantown and Cornell Road are both closed-due to storm damage I assume. Newton TH was accessible. Only saw one trail runner in the 2 1/2 hours I was out there. Combined FL 10, Lief Erickson, Waterline and Wildwood for a perfect 5 mile loop. Trails are fine, just bits of blow down here and there. Not much snow left.
February 19, 2021
1
Council Crest
6.5 miles of hiking • 1250' elevation gain •
Misty day. Started at the Markham Shelter on a standard loop, but ended up wandering around the Hillsdale neighborhood with all kinds of nifty little paths between the streets and some cool old houses, fancy houses, houses on stilts. Got a little confused with my directions but eventually made my way back to the east side and trails.
February 5, 2021
3
Gales Creek in the snow
5.5 miles of hiking • 750' elevation gain •
Was not expecting snow! Luckily my microspikes were in the car. Surprised to have fresh tracks on the weekend. Just lovely.
January 24, 2021
1
FL 15, Newton and BPA loop
6 miles of hiking • 1250' elevation gain •
THs overflowing with cars, but plenty of room to spread out. You can get some nice steep ups if you link up BPA road and FL 15. Still a bit of a mudfest, but Newton Creek is back to a rock hop.
January 17, 2021
1
Stub Stewart
5.5 miles of hiking • 750' elevation gain •
Umbrella Hike. First time here. interesting network of trails, with fun names. Took Bumpscooter to the bike trail, then came up Bark Spur and Caddywhomper to Hare Canyon and the Unfit Settlement trail. Had the place all to myself.
January 12, 2021
1
January 9, 2021
1
Marquam shelter to Council Crest
3.5 miles of hiking • 750' elevation gain •
Just a little speedwork. Surprisingly quiet trail in the afternoon.
January 5, 2021
2
Wilwood/Newton/BPA Loop
6.5 miles of hiking • 1000' elevation gain •
Muddy day-even the Wildwood required close attention to footwork. Newton Creek in full spate. Happy morning dose of greenwalls.
January 3, 2021
2
Markham to Council Crest
5.5 miles of hiking • 1000' elevation gain •
Caring for my ailing mom in my home now. Adventures more limited. Feel lucky that I can still get away for short trips.
Started 2021 with a big fat dose of green.
January 1, 2021
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