December 29 to December 30, 2025 runandsew Trillium Lake Loop 4 miles 500 feet gained 1 night
Overnight after work because we could. It was gorgeous and makes us forget about the rainy weather we have had for so long.
Recent Hikes
December 7, 2025 Jen 20 miles 3,500 feet gained
We had so much fun last year, we came back. While the atmospheric river was blessing the PNW, we were soaking up that lovely Sonoran sunshine. We were able to immerse in desert scenery everyday. The city travel was pretty stress free, and oh the food! Got to visit a few petroglyph sites in the Signal Hill and Picture Rocks drainage. Visited Cochise Stronghol...
November 29, 2025 runandsew Timothy Lake 3.5 miles 250 feet gained
Snowy run with dog and Courtney.
November 23, 2025 Jen 15 miles 2,000 feet gained
Got away to Vegas for the fourth year in a row ! The trip was mostly focused on climbing, but there were some recent rains and we had to wait two days for the sandstone to dry. Fiorst day was a fun trip in Valley of Fire State Park where we climbed Fire Horn Peak, and searched for arches, So fun to scramble around in the red sculptures and slot canyons. Also...
November 19, 2025 Jen Mountaineer 3.5 miles 750 feet gained
Came up for a sunny day hike on my birthday, but the wind was fierce and I wasn't feeling well, so we turned back and had lunch at the lodge. Was sick for several days afterward.
November 16, 2025 Jen Donahue Creek 8 miles 1,000 feet gained
It's been a good year for fungi!
November 15, 2025 Jen Council Crest 3.5 miles 500 feet gained
Little morning hike on the local trails
November 9, 2025 Jen Upper Falls Creek 8 miles 1,000 feet gained
Came out for a scout out before leading a Mazama hike in the area. Quite a few hunters around, that made things intimidating. Returned on the 11th, to lead a trip through the caves, what fun!
November 4, 2025 Jen Esau Canyon 20 miles 2,500 feet gained
Spent a few days in my beloved desert canyons on the Deschutes and John Day. Stayed in cabins at Maupin and Cottonwood Canyon, relaxing at night and wandering the riversides and bluffs during the day.
October 29, 2025 runandsew Alpine Campground 3.5 miles 750 feet gained
Needed snow shoes this trip.
October 23, 2025 Jen Devils Rest 5.5 miles 750 feet gained
Lovely day in the forest, found some mushrooms
October 18, 2025 Jen Mecca Grade 18 miles 2,000 feet gained
Went on two different hikes in Central Oregon. The first was along the Trout Creek trail which extends from Mecca Flat to Trout Creek Campground along the Deschutes River, just north of Warm Springs. We didn't see any other hikers, but lots of fisherfolk, mostly in the river. The second hike was on the north side of Gray Butte. I meant to summit but the wind...
October 10, 2025 Jen Campground: Peterson Prairie 10 miles 1,000 feet gained
Spent two nights at the Peterson Prairie Guard Station. Wandered all around the area and visited Goose Lake, and Falls Creek Cave. Vine maple in the lava flows were blazing red. Found some mushrooms and had them for dinner!
September 22 to September 23, 2025 runandsew McNeil Point 8.5 miles 2,250 feet gained 1 night
First Fall trip of 2025 and glad we switched to our winter bags. Cowboy was a trooper.
September 22 to September 24, 2025 Jen 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...
September 20, 2025 Jen Mount Wow 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!
September 5 to September 7, 2025 Jen Lake Number 8 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.
August 31 to September 1, 2025 runandsew Little Crater Lake 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.
August 29 to September 1, 2025 Kyle Meyer Jefferson Park 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...
August 26 to August 28, 2025 Jen Gilbert Peak 27 miles 5,000 feet gained 2 nights
Camped near Warm Lake and climbed Gilbert Peak
August 23 to August 26, 2025 runandsew Timberline Lodge T5 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...
August 15, 2025 Kyle Meyer Swiftcurrent Pass 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!
August 12, 2025 Kyle Meyer Avalanche Lake 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.
August 11, 2025 Jen Deadman Lake 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.
August 9 to August 10, 2025 runandsew Lookout Mountain 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.
August 8 to August 9, 2025 runandsew Switchback Falls 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.
August 4 to August 5, 2025 Jen 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
July 27 to July 28, 2025 runandsew Paradise Park Loop 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.
July 24 to July 26, 2025 Jen Pyramid Peak 22 miles 7,500 feet gained 2 nights
Lovely visit to a favorite area. Climbed Pyramid Peak and Copper Mountain. Saw two bears!
July 18 to July 19, 2025 Jen Wahpenayo Peak 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.
July 12 to July 16, 2025 runandsew Reese Lake 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.
July 6 to July 9, 2025 Jen Mount Olympus 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.
June 30 to July 2, 2025 Jen Jumbo Peak 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...
June 27 to June 28, 2025 runandsew Timberline Trail 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.
June 27, 2025 Jen Sturgeon 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!!!
June 14 to June 16, 2025 Jen Middle Sister 15 miles 4,750 feet gained 2 nights
Perfect conditions for a rather leisurely climb of Middle Sis!
June 7, 2025 Jen Angels Rest 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.
June 7 to June 8, 2025 runandsew Devils Kitchen 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.
June 3 to June 4, 2025 Jen Mount Hood 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.
June 1 to June 2, 2025 runandsew Eliot Glacier 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.
May 25, 2025 runandsew Dog Creek 5 miles 2,500 feet gained
May 23 to May 24, 2025 runandsew Alpine Campground 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.
May 21, 2025 Jen Cook Hill 8.5 miles 3,000 feet gained
Mazama hike, Russ Jolley meadow is in full bloom
May 20, 2025 Jen Fifteenmile Campground 3.5 miles 500 feet gained
Multisport day- went skiing at Tline in the morning, then mushroom hunting in the afternoon
May 16, 2025 Jen Oak Ridge 8 miles 2,500 feet gained
Pleasant day, wildflowers looking good. Found a few morels.
May 13, 2025 runandsew Bald Mountain 4.5 miles 1,000 feet gained
May 11, 2025 runandsew Elk Point 3 miles 500 feet gained
Passed out candy to everyone
May 9 to May 10, 2025 Jen Steelhead Falls 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.
May 1 to May 3, 2025 Jen Pine Hollow 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 ...
