June 3 to June 4, 2017 Roman Little Badger 9 miles 2,250 feet gained 1 night
Really nice conditions this last weekend - sunny and cool, I don't think there was warmer than 65F. Lots of flowers, but they are on the decline. In a couple weeks there will be lots of strawberries, especially along Little Badger. The trail was in good condition, couple of large trees on upper trail I had to crawl under, but overall a lot fewer blowdown tha...
June 3, 2017 Karl Tomlike Mountain 25.5 miles 6,500 feet gained
Fun megaloop up Herman Creek valley, off-trailing up the side of Tomlike, navigating through 6' deep snow over to Chinidere, then following the PCT back across the Benson Plateau taking a steep detour down to Pablo's Pond along the way. <iframe width="540" height="800" src="http://gpsfly.org/gps_map.php?gps_id=7188&w=540&h=800&c=ffffff&m=0" scrolling="no" fr...
June 1, 2017 pizza pal Falls Creek Falls 6.5 miles 1,250 feet gained
May 31 to June 1, 2017 Jen Fifteenmile Campground 12.5 miles 2,250 feet gained 1 night
Perfect weather for an overnighter. The trail is popular with mountain bikers, but it hasn't been logged out yet. Had it to myself on this weekday. Flowers everywhere. The Cedar Creek trail has a lovely rolling ridgetop ramble.
May 29, 2017 Woodswalker Herman Bridge 10 miles 1,750 feet gained
Herman Creek is a great rainy day hike, but I really always love it in the sun as well. Big news is some trail work has been done. Much appreciation. The two big down logs that were requiring a bit of a go around, are gone. They weren't difficult, but scrambling over them in the mud for those of us with shorter legs was always interesting. The water in Camp ...
May 28, 2017 B-Dog Camp Muir Saddle 4 miles 4,750 feet gained
Great day on the mountain !!! The workout was intense, but the turns were just okay. The snow was way over cooked and it took a lot of work to get down the Big R today. Still you can't complain about a clear calm day, I'll take it any day of the week !!!
May 28 to May 29, 2017 runandsew Paradise Park Loop 16 miles 3,500 feet gained 1 night
Solid snow from 4200'. Both the PCT and Loop signs were completely buried under snow.
May 28, 2017 Karl Middle Falls 13.5 miles 1,500 feet gained
Forecast was for near-90 in the city. This was the perfect antidote! The forest was as chill as things get on such a day. And the waterfalls were glorious with the spring melt. Long drive for a short hike, but one helluva getaway!
May 27, 2017 Erica H. Bell Creek 12.5 miles 4,000 feet gained
May 27 to May 29, 2017 Roman Forest Lake 16.5 miles 3,000 feet gained 2 nights
Explored the lakes and area to the NE, was thinking this is public land as maps show it. Saw property sign on the hike in odd location (well within NF boundary), so did an after-hike research. Turned out this area was in National Forest long ago, then was privatized by Weyerhauser, then sold to a smaller investor in 2007 (& got closed to the public), then su...
May 26 to May 28, 2017 Father Guido Sarducci Lower Maynard Burn 18.65 miles 5,250 feet gained 2 nights
Hiked from the Slab Camp TH up to Deer Ridge and then onto Deer Park. Since the road to Deer Park is still closed had the camp ground entirely to myself..... sweet! Next morning hiked up Blue Mtn.& the views @ its 6000+ peak were again.... sweet! Could clearly see Mt. Olympus, Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak, Hurricane Ridge, & multiple peaks from the summit. Descen...
May 26, 2017 Karl Green Point Mountain 20 miles 5,250 feet gained
Awesome day, finally hitting the elusive Green Point Mountain on a day with blue skies! Always been there in a cloud before. Still lots of snow (6-8') up on the plateau. Don't go without strong nav skills! Went up Nick Eaton Way, which is "pretty real" according to my trusty hiking buddy. That ridge was bare, and a true delight to traverse. Real snow started...
May 24, 2017 Karl Yeon Mountain 20.5 miles 5,500 feet gained
My good friend Kathy made good on a promise and showed me up the Rock of Ages ridge. Wow, what an amazingly fun scramble that was! We climbed over 3000' in less than three miles. (And the first mile was damn near flat!) Arriving up top, we headed SW then turned down the Bell Creek Trail, and enjoyed the awesome old growth of the deep forest. At the Oneonta j...
May 24, 2017 pizza pal Hamilton Mountain 8.5 miles 2,250 feet gained
May 22, 2017 Roman Hug Point 6 miles 0 feet gained
May 21, 2017 Woodswalker Tamanawas Falls 5.5 miles 1,000 feet gained
Since it was hot we decided to do two shorty hikes and explore back roads for future options. In the morning we hit Sevenmile Hill. It got hot too fast, and was a bit past peak until you get near the top. Nonetheless it was lovely. Then we took back roads as far as we could and then buzzed down Hwy 35 and parked at the pullout for Tamanawas fall TH. Crowded,...
May 20, 2017 Roman Oak Ridge 5.2 miles 1,750 feet gained
May 20, 2017 Karl Table Mountain 20.5 miles 4,500 feet gained
Led a group from the now-standard Bonneville Trailhead up through the debris slide to Table Mountain and beyond. We chose to go up the Westway Route, rather than the far more routine Heartbreak Ridge, and everyone seemed to agree that offered far better views. Once up top, we of course had to go visit the iconic south viewpoint, where the clouds really start...
May 20 to May 21, 2017 runandsew Alpine Campground 5 miles 1,250 feet gained 1 night
Lovely late afternoon hike up Yellow Jacket to Boy Scout Ridge from White River. Tons of climbers' lights heading up the mountain around 3:30.
May 19, 2017 Jen Big Hollow 4 miles 500 feet gained
We first skiied up at Old Man Pass and the snow was patchy, so we decided to go visit this hidden waterfall. It's written up in Curious Gorge. Just a half mile bushwack up a creek bed through beautfiul old growth forest. And boom, you come around a corner to a gorgeous thundering waterfall
May 19, 2017 Karl Sunstrip Campground 18.5 miles 2,500 feet gained
Awesome dogwalk (other than the ticks!) up and then back down this lovely riverside trail! The local endemic irises were blooming, and were a real treat. Loved a nice pull out known as The Narrows. The forest was a true delight. <iframe width="540" height="700" src="http://gpsfly.org/gps_map.php?gps_id=7145&w=540&h=700&c=ffffff&m=0" scrolling="no" frameborde...
May 19, 2017 Father Guido Sarducci Lower Maynard Burn 11.54 miles 2,250 feet gained
Could not make it to the lake due to snow. Trail is pretty much snow covered from the Buckhorn Lake cutoff & I quit when I began postholing up to my crouch & could not locate any signs of the trail.
May 19, 2017 Woodswalker Little Beacon Rock 7.5 miles 2,000 feet gained
Just had to get out there today. Hoping to get a few more hikes in during this stretch of good weather. Marvelous out there. Still very green and the second wave of woodland flowers are starting to pop. False Solomon Seals, Larkspur and even a few phlox at the saddle. Super crowded today, but everyone was in good spirits.
May 18, 2017 Karl Silver Star Mountain 18.5 miles 4,000 feet gained
Took a new route up to Silver Star, starting at the Tarbell Trailhead to the mountain's northwest. Just an awesome little lollipop, and honestly some of the DNR clearcuts provide very nice views both on the way in and the way out. Still lots of snow within a mile of the summit. As nice as it was up there, I think the highlight of the day was scampering about...
May 17, 2017 pizza pal Strube Lake 2 miles 0 feet gained
May 17, 2017 B-Dog Divide Lake 1 miles 1,000 feet gained
On Tuesday night I noticed that Snoqualmie was getting hit hard with some fresh snow. It's the winter that keeps on giving !!! So Wednesday at work all I could think about was getting a few more turns in before this next big warm up. I rushed home and grabbed my gear. Hit the parking lot at the Fir by 6:00 and was back home before 9:00. Coverage is getting r...
May 14, 2017 Karl Falls Creek Falls 11 miles 1,500 feet gained
Met some friends in Cascade Locks, after we were done with Wauna Viewpoint, and decided to head up into the GPNF to kill the rest of the day chasing waterfalls. Great outing!
May 14, 2017 Karl Wauna Viewpoint 4 miles 1,000 feet gained
Pesky little trail was always "too short" to bother with. Well, a late start made it a great option to warm up on! Warning: Trail obliterated by rockslide for last stretch.
May 14, 2017 B-Dog Crystal Lake 2.5 miles 2,250 feet gained
What an amazing day, by far the best tour of the year !!! There was 3 - 4" of Fresh Snow on top of a nice firm base. The sun made a few short guest appearances and we had flurries off and on all afternoon. We didn't quite slay the King, we got up to about 6,600' and decided to call it at the saddle. Some clouds were approaching and visibility was getting poo...
May 14, 2017 runandsew City of Portland Reservoir Number 3 8 miles 1,500 feet gained
Nice hike on Mother's Day.
May 12, 2017 Karl Wilson Falls 25 miles 4,250 feet gained
Yep, all of it. East to west. Elk Creek to Keenig. Didn't rain the first ten miles. The rest? Yeah. Embrace the wetness! :-)
May 11, 2017 Karl Packard Creek 11.5 miles 500 feet gained
Extended dog walks, back to back, but carrying munchies and beverages on the back! Counts, right? <iframe width="540" height="600" src="http://gpsfly.org/gps_map.php?gps_id=7117&w=540&h=600" scrolling="no" frameborder="no"></iframe>
May 10, 2017 pizza pal Oak Spring 6 miles 750 feet gained
May 9, 2017 Woodswalker Eightmile Creek 3 miles 500 feet gained
Just a lovely day and a small walk on my friends birthday. Lupine and phlox are peaking, The Balsam root is slightly past, but still beautiful. On the way home we did a quick stop at Catherine Creek to see if the Lewisia is blooming and it was full on near the trailhead.
May 7, 2017 runandsew Saddle Mountain 4.5 miles 2,000 feet gained
Quick zip up Saddle Mountain
May 7, 2017 Woodswalker Ramona Falls 8.2 miles 1,000 feet gained
Great day and not too crowded. We crossed the Sandy a bit further up on a log I could scoot across rather than the typical crossing. The mountain is still full of snow and we took the cut off near the falls, from the trail down to the Sandy and walked a ways along the bank to get a better look at the mountain. Some nice looking waterfalls up there, in the di...
May 7, 2017 Karl Sherrard Point 20 miles 4,750 feet gained
One of my favorite loops! Up to Larch Mountain from Multnomah Falls, entirely on the LMT. Then, looping back along the south rim of the crater on the Oneonta trail, until it connects with Franklin Ridge. From there, take the "bat cave" junction down to Nesika, for a second lunch opportunity at Bickel Point. Wasn't close to dark yet, so I wandered around and ...
May 6, 2017 Roman Hood River Mountain 3 miles 500 feet gained
Came back with my parents and brother, it was perfect day to be out there. Flowers were near their best on the hills, though orchards in Hood River were mostly done. And nice to finally see that view of nearest volcano against blue sky.
May 6, 2017 B-Dog Mount Hyak 1.5 miles 1,500 feet gained
I had heard about a glowing orb returning to our region of the planet for a few days, but when I woke up Saturday it was cold, damp and cloudy. At first I cursed Cliff Mass and the local weather crew, but then I decided to take action and look at the web cams to see what was actually happening up high. Low and behold there was patches of blue sky and even so...
May 6, 2017 Father Guido Sarducci Blue Mountain 10.43 miles 3,250 feet gained
Sun,rain,hail,snow this day had it all weather wise. The Deer Park campground is still pretty much snow covered. Some snow on the trail but traction devices not needed. This hike is on my sunny day re-do list.
May 4, 2017 pizza pal Tamanous 6 miles 500 feet gained
May 3, 2017 Woodswalker Shady Glen 12.6 miles 1,250 feet gained
Beautiful 80 degree day! I strolled up a ways past Twister falls and ate lunch with a nice Crow friend, The hanging meadows are starting to pop and the second wave of shade lovers like Solomon Seal are just starting. Being short legged and not as sure of my balance anymore, the Wy'east creek crossing just before the potholes is a bit harder this year. But I ...
May 3, 2017 pizza pal Swale Canyon 7.5 miles 250 feet gained
May 1, 2017 Woodswalker Horsethief Butte 8.1 miles 1,250 feet gained
In honor of International workday and that ancient flower day currently celebrated as May Day, I went out with a friend to do the Crawford Oaks loop. Flowers are looking amazing below the ranch. Eight Mile creek is back to being a dry footed crossing. Cloudy, but comfortable. Really great day
April 30, 2017 Nathan Williams Drift Creek Falls 3 miles 500 feet gained
nice quick jot with lots of scenery. the bridge is remarkable and the falls is in full glory this time of year. well-groomed trails, and a busy, but not overly-full parking lot. saw maybe a dozen other folks on the trail.
April 30, 2017 Nathan Williams Chitwood Falls 7 miles 1,250 feet gained
beautiful sunny day at the oregon coast, with clear skies all the way to the horizon. pleasant breeze at the top of the hike, with a great view of the coastline and beaches below. quite a bit of effort to make the upper viewpoint with a full pack, but well worth the effort and need the training time :).
April 29, 2017 Roman Hood River Mountain 5.8 miles 1,250 feet gained
[GPX link added] Still very nice hike despite some recent logging. Lots of flowers right now, more than I ever seen there. Hood River's gardens are in white, too. Tried to find straight way from summit down to Hood River, but it all seems to go into private land. Also checked a little summit east of Elder Rd, owned by same logging company, open to hikers. P....
April 29, 2017 Karl Stanley Spring 15 miles 2,250 feet gained
April 29, 2017 runandsew White Pine Knob 15.5 miles 4,250 feet gained
Longest hike of 2017.
April 29, 2017 Father Guido Sarducci George Lake 8.9 miles 2,250 feet gained
Hiked to the 3rd viewpoint. After the logged out area trail was pretty much solid snow until viewpoint 3. If I had remembered my microspikes I would have used them.
