September 20, 2020 Father Guido Sarducci Lane Peak 7 miles 3,000 feet gained
The smoke cleared out pretty much in my neck of the woods Saturday afternoon so was looking for something relatively short and steep to clear out the lungs and this fit the bill nicely. This used to be a nice solitary trail in which one would rarely see anyone, but the masses appear to have discovered this trail as trail traffic has increased significantly s...
September 20, 2020 Sarah Johnson Pyramid Rock 5.46 miles 1,250 feet gained
Just a quick early shorty to get outside. Wasn't entirely sure what all was open near Portland, so opted for something close and out of current fire areas. Went up the somewhat boring way to Larch, just to avoid people on silver star.
September 9 to September 11, 2020 Father Guido Sarducci Iceberg Lake 8 miles 2,000 feet gained 2 nights
We did this trip as a loop starting and ending the trip at the Bagley Lakes TH. Camped next to Hayes Lake. It was hot so swimming & aimless meandering was pretty much par for the course.
September 8 to September 9, 2020 Father Guido Sarducci Skyline Divide 9.4 miles 3,000 feet gained 1 night
Sublime views of Mt. Baker, Shuksan and numerous U.S. and Canadian peaks. Nice camping spots along the Divide but water was scarce this time of year. Was going to hike Hadley Peak but got side tracked exploring so definitely a redo is in order.
September 6 to September 7, 2020 runandsew Pocket Creek 9 miles 2,750 feet gained 1 night
Sadly, we had a clear view of the Lionheart fire near Jefferson right under the Milky Way. Called in a fire at 6am Monday morning over by Shooting Star Express in Meadows. Got a call back at 6:30.
September 6, 2020 Father Guido Sarducci Mount Ararat 10.63 miles 3,750 feet gained
This was a nice lonely hike on a bustling Labor Day weekend at Mt. Rainier.
September 5 to September 7, 2020 Jen Pct: Cle Elum North 30.5 miles 6,000 feet gained 2 nights
We started noon on Saturday at Pete's Lake Trail. Was very busy, with many families and large groups heading to Pete's Lake, an easy 4 miles with very little eg. Most people stopped there. After another mile, you hit the PCT. We went north(go south to head to Spectacle lake), and climbed 2000ft over 5 miles and 23 switchbacks to reach the heavenly alpine ter...
September 3 to September 7, 2020 Sarah Johnson Olympic National Park 53 miles 11,000 feet gained 4 nights
North Fork Quinault Trailhead (Parked at Irely Lakes Trailhead and road walked to the trailhead) Day 1 - North Fork Quinault to Trapper Shelter - 9.74 miles, +1,428 ft, -716 ft Day 2 - Trapper Shelter to Low Divide - 10.34 miles, +2,775 ft, -429 ft Day 3 - Low Divide to Lake Beauty - 8.37 miles, +2,607 ft, -1,469 ft Day 4 - Lake Beauty to Meadow past Kimta P...
September 2, 2020 Woodswalker High Camp 14.5 miles 3,000 feet gained
When you think of high mountain hiking it evokes a certain picture that you We camped at Takhlakh Lakethink of as "it". This part of Mt Adams is definitely "it". We camped at Takhlakh Lake and did a stroll around the surrounding lake and meadows which was actually really nice. At one point we went over a lava flow and got a great north view of the mountains....
September 1, 2020 Jen Wind Lake 5.5 miles 1,500 feet gained
Solitude until I returned back to lower bowl area. Moved slowly....Huckleberries!
August 30, 2020 Jen Hunchback 9.5 miles 3,000 feet gained
Meh. Nice exercise, and plenty of solitude, but pretty boring. Now I can say.... been there, done that.
August 26, 2020 Woodswalker Green Lake 14 miles 2,250 feet gained
Marvelous plan B. We were going to hike into the lakes via Thomas Lake TH but one of our vehicles vetoed that idea due to the washout. Instead Susan quickly came up with the idea of starting at the Falls Creek Horse Camp TH which was close by. There are some nice offtrail and abandoned trail options in that area, but we stuck to the main trail to Indian Race...
August 25 to August 27, 2020 Father Guido Sarducci Packwood Glacier 23.5 miles 5,500 feet gained 2 nights
Started trip from the Snowgrass TH and made camp on the bypass trail above Snowgrass Flats. Had got an early start so my goal for the remaining afternoon was to head up the PCT and summit Old Snowy. The trail up Old Snowy was snow free and it's an easy scamble to the summit which has exceptional 360 degree views. The next day again got an early start and mad...
August 25, 2020 Jen Angels Rest 7 miles 1,500 feet gained
Found the “Coopey Creek Datsun”, plus several other cardavers.
August 23, 2020 Sarah Johnson Duncan Creek 4.5 miles 1,250 feet gained
Just a nice, pleasant short day chasing waterfalls.
August 22 to August 23, 2020 Father Guido Sarducci Station Creek 12.5 miles 2,250 feet gained 1 night
Just a quick overnight trip to the old ONP car campground.
August 22 to August 23, 2020 runandsew Mcgee Creek 11 miles 3,000 feet gained 1 night
Some bugs hiking up in the evening, but an incredible sunset and clear skies. Plus, we got the second choice site we had in mind. Happy.
August 22, 2020 Jen Mountaineer 5 miles 2,000 feet gained
Out for a little hike with a friend. Smoke crept over from a wildfire near Bonney Butte
August 17, 2020 Woodswalker Mississippi Head 13.8 miles 3,750 feet gained
A fantastic day up on the mountain! I had thought about redoing my Mississippi Head traverse over to the lodge. But heat and scree got the better of us. So instead we spent some more time in the meadows around Paradise Park and got to spend more time with the alpine blooms. After scrambling around all day we were so dusty and grimy that people kept asking us...
August 15 to August 16, 2020 Father Guido Sarducci Mount Daniel 15.84 miles 5,250 feet gained 1 night
Camped at Peggy's Pond which has Cathedral Rock as your backdrop which is pretty sweet. The mosquitoes, which are typically bad in this area, were as advertised. While we brought crampons, and ice axes the route we took was pretty much snow free so they stayed in the packs. There are Couple class 3 sections but nothing to technical, just a lot of climbing an...
August 14 to August 15, 2020 runandsew Alpine Campground 3 miles 750 feet gained 1 night
Wanted to get out and take our daughter's boyfriend and his brother out. It was the 13 year old's first backpack. Lots of stargazing on the most gorgeous night we've had on the mountain in a very long time. As in it was warm and no wind! Whoot!
August 14 to August 15, 2020 Jen Devils Horn 20 miles 4,000 feet gained 1 night
Eleven years ago, I did Mt Curtis Gilbert as a dayhike from Conrad Meadows,with a bike assist.I remember looking down at the Conrad Basin and wanting to return. Finally got back and finished my vacation with a dreamy stroll through spectacular alpine terrain. Started at Conrad Meadows where there were many horsecampers and hikers parked, and biked up the 100...
August 13 to August 14, 2020 Jen Shorty 9 miles 3,500 feet gained 1 night
I stayed in Packwood for a night between my trips. Looking up from town, I noticed a distinctive summit. I thought it was South Point Mountain, but I was wrong, it was the adjacent Smith Point on Smith Ridge. I liked the pictures from FGS's reports, so I decided to try the South Pt mountain hike. Great summit 360 degree view, and with relics from the old LO ...
August 12 to August 13, 2020 runandsew Timberline Lodge T5 1.5 miles 500 feet gained 1 night
Quick backpack to see the meteor shower, but it was incredibly windy and cold.
August 9 to August 12, 2020 Jen Alice Falls 21.5 miles 6,500 feet gained 3 nights
Parking a zoo at Carbon River Entrance, but most of them humans did not stray far from their vehicles. We biked up the closed road to Ipsut Campground (reservations required), and spent the night in a beautiful old growth forest along the Carbon River. Next day we hiked up to Windy Gap via Wonderland to the Northern Loop trail. We then entered the magnificen...
August 9 to August 10, 2020 Father Guido Sarducci Lake of the Angels 14.5 miles 4,750 feet gained 1 night
Have day hiked to the lake several times but this was the first time I have overnighted there. It was great to have extra time to explore the ridges above the lake. There are 2 head walls you have to scale during the hike and and on our way up there were ropes at those sections to assist climbing that area. On our way down the next day the ropes had mysterio...
August 8 to August 9, 2020 Jen Cayada Mountain 5 miles 1,000 feet gained 1 night
First trip of my vacation. I was meeting friends next day for our backpack adventure and I wanted to test out my new tent and the bikepack set up. There were city hikers, burly trucks and ATVs all over this area, so I immediately cancelled my plan to go to Summit Lake. Stopped at a gate where no-one was parked, and hiked a few miles out and back on this old ...
August 8 to August 10, 2020 Woodswalker Campers Lake 17 miles 2,250 feet gained 2 nights
A friend got a permit for the Obsidian Trail for Sunday Monday. We headed down Saturday to camp in the area and explore the local lakes. Benson Lake was way to crowded, but Hand Lake was just right. So we looped the lake using the old wagon trail through the Lava bed to loop. The next morning headed up the Obsidian. The flowers were amazing and the bugs were...
August 7 to August 9, 2020 Sarah Johnson Bingham Ridge 27 miles 4,250 feet gained 2 nights
It has been getting harder and harder to find solitude in the outdoors, so I've been consulting my pal Matt Reeder's book often, Off the Beaten Trail. The final hike he describes, involved some off trail adventuring and plenty of mileage to reach, and so I chose Table Lake in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. I had secured my first actual requested day off sin...
August 4, 2020 Jen Paradise Park Loop 15.5 miles 3,500 feet gained
Took the Paradise Park Trail #778 from Kiwanis Camp Rd. Although the trip is longer and in the forest, the trail has a very gentle grade and the miles go by fast. Lots of saprophytes along this trail. All the blowdown has been cleared. Only saw 2 people on the 6 1/2 mile out and back portion of this trip. At Paradise Park, there were surprisingly few people....
August 3, 2020 Woodswalker Russell Glacier 12 miles 1,750 feet gained
Wonderful day in Jefferson Park via the Whitewater Trail. No too many bugs and the Lupines were in full perfume mode.
August 1 to August 2, 2020 runandsew Newton Clark Glacier 4 miles 2,750 feet gained 1 night
A couple got engaged above us.
August 1, 2020 Father Guido Sarducci Cascade Pass 9.5 miles 3,250 feet gained
This hike never disappoints. The great views start at the parking lot....how can you beat that! People were doing a really good job social distancing and masking up. Now that's more like it people! Big sign at the TH indicates no pets but still some people with their dogs on the trail. What's with that? I'm a dog lover but you really give us responsible dog ...
August 1, 2020 Sarah Johnson Jackson Creek 6.5 miles 0 feet gained
Opted for an easy flat stroll along the beach today. Plenty of solitude once past the first mile. Made a second stop to tunnel beach (No solitude here, but it was not overcrowded and I was able to stay away from others) to play around looking for cool rocks. First time to the coast in months.
July 31, 2020 Father Guido Sarducci Plummer Peak 3.2 miles 1,500 feet gained
Some traffic heading up to the saddle and I would rate the mask wearing and social distancing as poor. C'mon people....get with it! But had Plummer Peak all to myself.
July 28, 2020 Jen Huffman Peak 9.5 miles 2,250 feet gained
Started at the airy Huffman Peak trailhead, off 6403. Big views from the get-go. Pleasant rambling, nice forest and shady sections. Berries starting to ripen. No humans. Great day in the Gifford!
July 26, 2020 Sarah Johnson Elk Lake Creek 12 miles 1,250 feet gained
I've apparently earned a new trail name, “comfort optional” from the covid hiking crew for whenever I lead anything. I promised an easy-ish hike yesterday due to the heat but I am full of lies. Much fun log hopping, scrambling to off trail waterfalls and to cold swimming holes, and many many creek fords. Excellent day and the only hikers on the trail except ...
July 25, 2020 Father Guido Sarducci South Point Lookout 7.2 miles 3,250 feet gained
Trail is now snow free all the way to the summit. Very nice 360 degree views in which all the surrounding volcanoes could clearly be seen.
July 21, 2020 Jen Sherrard Point 9.5 miles 2,250 feet gained
Biked up from the gate at MP 10, did the loop, plus a secret side trip. Saw zero people and as I was zooming downhill,I blasted my tunes, fun ride out!
July 19 to July 20, 2020 Woodswalker Cooper Spur 6.2 miles 1,500 feet gained 1 night
Did some front country camping with friends at Cloud Cap Saddle campground. Beautiful trip. Both of my friends had recent injuries so we kept it pretty short. The penstemon is prolific but is starting to dry up with the hot spell. Dwarf lupine and sulpher flower are both looking good.We stayed up late to watch the comet and star show. The next day we took a ...
July 18 to July 19, 2020 Father Guido Sarducci Oyster Lake 18.4 miles 4,000 feet gained 1 night
Timed it perfectly for this overnighter. Flowers blooming but the bugs not real bad yet. Both of the usual water sources were available. The skies were very clear with unobstructed views of Mt. Olympus & surrounding peaks. At sunset I could even catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean in the distance.
July 18 to July 19, 2020 Sarah Johnson Last Chance Mountain 20.5 miles 4,000 feet gained 1 night
Suffering through a dayhike wasn't enough last weekend, so I decided that with clear skies expected, I would try for round 2 but with a pack. Talked my partner into it, and we opted to bring the dog. I packed an extra sleeping bag for our pampered princess, and off we went. The Sandy crossing was once again okay, the dog easily followed us across on a log. W...
July 18, 2020 Jen Lost Lake Campground 3 miles 500 feet gained
There are so many Lost Lakes. This is the one just off highway 20 just west of Santiam Pass. It has a fascinating natural phenomenon. The lake actually drains INTO two lava tubes on the north side. I've been here three different times, with varying water levels. The first time was in 2015(first pic). Today you could see the lava tubes, but they didn't have t...
July 17, 2020 Jen Three Fingered Jack 13.5 miles 3,000 feet gained
Easy five mile approach from Santiam Pass on the PCT. Then it is all up. Saw a few goats. Perfect weather with a kind breeze to beat off the heat. Moved efficiently with a party of four, but it somehow still took us 14 hrs. The climbing section was great, with three protected traverses(including "the crawl") and then a vertical climb to the summit block. Ver...
July 13, 2020 Woodswalker Yocum Ridge 11.5 miles 3,250 feet gained
Fantastic day up to the ridge top above McNeil Point. I got an early start to avoid people. The heather is full on. The dwarf alpine pants are blooming. No significant bug action, great beargrasss bloom and the flowers are still peak around Bald Mountain.
July 13, 2020 Jen Newton Clark Glacier 7 miles 1,750 feet gained
It was our anniversary and the spouse took the day off to go hiking with me! Quite a few cars at the Elk Meadows TH for a Monday, so we went a bit further and started off in the nordic ski lot and then turned uphill on the Newton Creek Trail where it was very quiet. Beautiful day on the mountain. We especially enjoyed the Heather Canyon area on Clark Creek.
July 11 to July 12, 2020 runandsew Timberline Trail 4.5 miles 2,500 feet gained 1 night
July 11, 2020 Sarah Johnson Old Maid Flat 19 miles 3,750 feet gained
Covid hiking crew meets again. We felt like a challenge, so we opted for a hike that has been on my list for a long time. I somehow always felt intimidated by the mileage. Sandy crossing was pretty straightforward and easy. There may have been an easier spot, but we didn't waste time looking for one. We were probably one of the first to hit Ramona Falls, it ...
July 11, 2020 Father Guido Sarducci Michael Lake 10 miles 4,000 feet gained
Steep hike to a former lookout site. The lookout site is not the final destination as to reach Davis Peak one must hike the ridge for about a half a mile with a final scramble to the summit. Nice views of Mt. Stuart, Mt. Daniels and surrounding peaks.
