23 miles / 4,500 feet gained / 2 nights
This was a re-do from a few years ago where we got snowed out- in June! This time we were concerned about getting water so late in the year, but no worries. The springs were all running strong and both canyons were lush and full of life. We went up Big I, and down Little Blitzen. The aspen were just starting to turn, with a few groves bright yellow and shaki...
11 miles / 4,500 feet gained
Went up via the Boundary Trail. I've hear some terrible stories of bushwacky nightmares, but I think that was from the West Side Road. This was fairly straightforward; with a keen eye and good nav skills, the tread was followed with only one minor detour. Saw a couple goats on the summit and a bear in the distance. Yes - you say Wow at the top!
21 miles / 4,000 feet gained / 2 nights
Fun, chill trip. Huckleberries everywhere. Watched a browsing bear for hours on the first night. Swam in 5 or 6 lakes. Soaked at Sol Duc Hotsprings before the long drive home.
4 miles / 1,000 feet gained / 1 night
Trail Magic at Little Crater Lake, then drove to Timberline where we continued to pass out trail magic (beer, veggies, pudding cups, oreos, sandwiches) as we hiked to our favorite spot for the night.
13 miles / 2,900 feet gained / 3 nights
Each year, we've been trying to push our backpacking with our kiddo a little bit further. This year, we had Lucy backpack into Jefferson Park mostly on her own! She was carried about a mile on the way in and hike the whole way out on her own. Pretty good for four. Our friends came in with their two-year-old too, and had a great spot at the far end of Russell...
27 miles / 5,000 feet gained / 2 nights
Camped near Warm Lake and climbed Gilbert Peak
50 miles / 5,750 feet gained / 3 nights
Timberline Lodge via public transport through Paradise Park to Sandy River. Sandy River through Ramona Falls to Salvation Spring. Salvation Spring to 7.5 mile camp on Eagle Creek. Out to Cascade Locks and over Bridge of the Gods. Great weather, good friends looking forward to next year's girl's trip. Lots of Trail magic handed out and finally beer & lunch at...
11 miles / 1,500 feet gained
We stayed at Many Glacier Hotel for a couple days before heading north into the Canadian parks. One of the days, we wandered up the swift current pass trail past the then-closed motel area. We saw a big honkin' moose!
6 miles / 750 feet gained
Crowded-as-heck, unremarkable forest walk mildly uphill to a shockingly gorgeous lake. Walk around to the far side to skip the crowded beach and find some peace against an incredible view.
12 miles / 2,500 feet gained
Family trip to CA, We hiked at Point Lobos and Fremont Peak near Monterey, and the Gargoyle Trail and Blue Canyon Trail near Sonora Pass in the Sierras.
9.5 miles / 3,000 feet gained / 1 night
Craw over, under or around 22 trees each way. Cowboy, our pup, was a trooper! It was nice to be back on this trail after missing it for a few years.
1.5 miles / 0 feet gained / 1 night
Just needed to sleep and be up at 4:20 to support an aid station at a run on Mt. Hood.
22.5 miles / 8,000 feet gained / 1 night
Had a warm up hike on our first day up Death canyon, 8.5 miles, 2000 ft gain. Then an attempt to climb the Grand via Exum Ridge but we turned back at 12,500 ft. 14 miles, 6000 ft gain
12 miles / 2,750 feet gained / 1 night
Over nighter with friends that I've backpacked with before, but separately. Cowboy, our pup, joined us and was a great hiker. We passed out cherry tomatoes and blueberries to thru PCT hikers. Lots of Timberline Trail peeps.
22 miles / 7,500 feet gained / 2 nights
Lovely visit to a favorite area. Climbed Pyramid Peak and Copper Mountain. Saw two bears!
8.5 miles / 6,250 feet gained / 1 night
This was supposed to be a Tatoosh Traverse, but we had some issues on Wahpenayo, which put us way behind schedule. Then one of our party became ill, so we decided to bail on the second day. Still, it was beautiful up there as we wandered and bushwacked up and down scree, steep flower filled meadows and ridges, seeing only goats, pikas and marmots.
55 miles / 7,500 feet gained / 4 nights
So many mosquitoes from Sisters Mirror Lake, we ate in the tent which is a big no no. From there on, beautiful days and many snow fields to cross. Handed out fresh fruit & veggies to PCT thru hikers who were mainly from Europe.
45 miles / 7,500 feet gained / 3 nights
Ohh that's a doozy of an approach. But what a beautiful climb into the lofty heights. Blue glacier is massive, and the summit approach and views in every direction- I didn't want to leave! Went on a Tuesday and we were the first of only two teams to climb that day.
19 miles / 5,500 feet gained / 2 nights
Started in the heat of a very hot day on the Dark Meadow trail which begins with a refreshing wade across the E Fork of the Cispus River. This trail was okay, but many sections of it are deeply rutted by motorbikes- it was like tightrope walking in a tunnel. Camped in the Dark Meadow area and was relentlessly attacked by mosquitoes at dusk and dawn. Got a ni...
4 miles / 1,500 feet gained / 1 night
Went to our favorite spot out of Timberline after work (as in started hiking at 8:30PM) and then up to Marmot Rock in the morning for elevation.
8.5 miles / 2,000 feet gained
I was inside a dripping cloud for much of this hike, but the incredible flower display more than made up for it. Florgasm!!!
15 miles / 4,750 feet gained / 2 nights
Perfect conditions for a rather leisurely climb of Middle Sis!
4.5 miles / 750 feet gained
Just love to go bushwacking on the plateaus up here. The forest is carpeted with the lovely greenery of oxalis and vanilla leaf.
4.5 miles / 2,750 feet gained / 1 night
Summer like conditions. We switched to our summer bags and my summer backpack & stove and it was divine! Cowboy found a ball (we had two in his pack) and he played a lot on the snow. Drawback was that he was tuckered out hiking up to 8400' today, but loves the snow.
7 miles / 5,250 feet gained / 1 night
Went up through the Old Chute. Steaming sulfurous fumaroles, rock and ice cleaving cliffs. Steep upper chute with sketchy footing. Intense. Felt out of shape and struggled with nausea on this trip.
7.5 miles / 3,000 feet gained / 1 night
Mogul-like patchy snow after A-Frame, then solid once you exit the trees all the way to the shelter. Windy, cold night ~~ dog's water was frozen in the morning.
5 miles / 2,500 feet gained
4 miles / 750 feet gained / 1 night
Tried going up the Timberline trail, but it was pretty snow covered with the hills of snow on a cliff side so we turned around.
3.5 miles / 500 feet gained
Multisport day- went skiing at Tline in the morning, then mushroom hunting in the afternoon
8 miles / 2,500 feet gained
Pleasant day, wildflowers looking good. Found a few morels.
4.5 miles / 1,000 feet gained
10 miles / 1,000 feet gained / 1 night
Added on some mellow hiking to another Smith Climbing weekend. Still nursing a tender knee. Camped and hiked along the Deschutes at Steelhead Falls and Mecca Flat.
11 miles / 1,500 feet gained / 2 nights
Visited a new spot on the Wild and Scenic section of the fabulous John Day River Canyon. You can drive down to the Thirtymile Creek boat launch west of Condon from 4/15-11/30. Wonderful rimrock, flowers and deep canyons, it's so gorgeous down there, but starting to get too hot already. Ventured upstream to Devils Canyon. Camped at the TH, would like to come ...
14 miles / 4,250 feet gained / 1 night
Great way to enjoy Earth Day. We rambled up Coldwater Ridge, and stayed at the Ridge Camp. Had a fun evening scramble up Blastzone Butte. We summitted Coldwater then next day and then hiked out.
5 miles / 750 feet gained
Passed out wrapped Easter candy to runners and hikers and made many people smile.
24 miles / 8,000 feet gained / 2 nights
Ten years after my first trip out here, we hiked back in to Kalalau for Shane's 40th. The plan was three nights on the beach, but the forecast turned and flash flooding threatened to close the trail behind us, so we packed up a day early and hiked out while the crossings were still passable.
2.5 miles / 750 feet gained / 1 night
After work night hike to backpack on a clear night. Woke up to rainbows over Jefferson.
4 miles / 500 feet gained
Took our daughter's dog along with Cowboy for a hike for the first time here.
3.5 miles / 500 feet gained
Dropped quilts off that are being shown at Montavilla Sewing Center in Lake Oswego in April.
2.5 miles / 1,000 feet gained / 1 night
39th Anniversary spending the night under the stars.
