Recent Hikes

October 1, 2015 Mileage Mike Wahtum Lake Campground 8.4 miles 1,750 feet gained

Today was my birthday and my wife and I took off from work! It was a sunny beautiful day and we decided to head out to Wahtum Lake. First we took the PCT out to Chinidere Mt and found ourselves all alone with a most spectacular view of five volcanoes! Bees drove us off this summit but not until we had our fill of the amazing beauty of this place! We then hea...

October 1, 2015 Karl 3 miles 500 feet gained

The longest 3-mile hike you'll ever take! Especially if you do it in early October, when the Fall colors are peaking. Oh my! The lollipop trail around Oberg Mountain branches off from the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) not far from the trailhead. It climbs gently to a loop that circles the summit, breaking out to a series of stunning viewpoints at numerous loca...

September 30, 2015 Jen Angora Peak 6 miles 1,500 feet gained

I tried to bike all the way up, but it was just too steep and rocky. Threw my bike in the bushes after two miles. Forgot my hiking shoes and ended up hiking in my bike cleats, which worked surprising well. Found some chanterelles. After getting past the yucky clearcuts, it's just gorgeous up there!

September 29, 2015 Karl 5.5 miles 500 feet gained

Had a great lunch at "Our Place" in Finland, before doing an in/out on the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT), through a gorgeous birch and maple forest, to Egge Lake as the sun slowly sank to our west. The SHT was gently rolling through here, and the Fall colors were popping! Harleigh could barely be restrained from chasing the hundreds of squirrels and chipmunks ...

September 28, 2015 Woodswalker Jean Lake 11.07 miles 2,000 feet gained

Another wonderful day in the Badger Wilderness. A nice meander up and over Lookout Mt, over Gunsight Butte and back on the Bennett Pass Road to High Prairie. Beautiful views.

September 27, 2015 Karl 10 miles 1,750 feet gained

Finally found a chance to hike the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) from a gravel road that leads to our nearby cabin, along the Cascade River, clockwise down to Lake Superior, then back up again along the other side of the river. The SHT is sooooo different from our local trails, in particular from the PCT! Rocks and roots characterize the tread. And stairs. Thi...

September 27, 2015 Roman Lake Umtux 8.5 miles 1,000 feet gained

Nice fall colors although 1-2 weeks past peak.

September 27, 2015 Mileage Mike Lower Falls Creek 10.6 miles 1,500 feet gained

It was quite crowded in the parking lot and so we decided to avoid the main trail to the Falls and loop around on the bike trail. We then visited the falls overlook, where a large group of hikers were admiring the view. We then continued on up the trail to the small Falls near a campsite. We met some hikers and took group pictures for them. We continue NE to...

September 27, 2015 Mountainkat Lake Stuart 13.68 miles 3,500 feet gained

For some time, I had wanted to go to the lake beyond Stuart. The way there is not on an officially maintained trail. The last .8 of a mile gains about 1100 feet. Fun! There were only a couple of people at the lake, who soon departed. We enjoyed craggy mountain views and golden needles!

September 27, 2015 Rhonda Winter Falls 8 miles 1,000 feet gained

Did the 8 mile loop out at Silver Creek Falls today with a long lost cousin. Was a nice relaxing hike and had a great day catching up with him.

September 26, 2015 Mileage Mike Herman Bridge 8 miles 1,750 feet gained

It was my wife's birthday and she got to choose the hike for today, and you can't go wrong with the Herman Creek trail. Surprisingly, the parking area wasn't filled up but we saw plenty of hikers on the way back to the car. Herman Creek was quite low but it's always a perfect view from the bridge! A beautiful day for a birthday hike with my wife and son!

September 26, 2015 Mountainkat Lake Edna 12.15 miles 5,500 feet gained

The Wolverine fire impacted my plans to check out some hikes with larch trees at the end of Entiat River Road. With that area closed and maybe even burned, we decided to try out some hikes in the eastern part of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. We decided to climb up the Chatter Creek trail and go over the ridge on the Icicle Ridge trail to Lake Edna. Once we ga...

September 26, 2015 BeaverDawg Panhandle Gap 12 miles 3,000 feet gained

Beautiful fall out-and-back hike from deep forest to alpine ice and rock. 12 miles / 3000 ft eg.

September 26, 2015 Woodswalker Bonney Butte 8 miles 2,000 feet gained

The cloud cover looked as though it wasn't going to live up to the forecast's promise of sunny skies. But twenty minutes into the hike it all cleared off. There was no sign at the trailhead, but the signage was excellent everywhere else on the hike. I didn't see a single person on the trail. I knew there were lots of folks up on the butte, so I enjoyed my so...

September 26, 2015 acorn woodpecker Wind Mountain 3.5 miles 1,250 feet gained

Took my mother and son up today. What a gem. This short hike packs a punch with a viewpoint and summit views. Beautiful day for it, too.

September 25, 2015 JM Riverside 5.5 miles 1,500 feet gained

Friday evening after work ramble. It was 45 miles one way from Clackamas to the TH. I saw no other people the entire evening. The river was pretty low, the trees huge and the walk very lovely. Spotted a couple of frogs and a few birds I could not identify.

September 25, 2015 acorn woodpecker Powell Butte 3 miles 250 feet gained

Quick late afternoon stroll with my mother and son. Pleasant cool conditions after the day's rain. No distant mountain views but whatever. The construction of the underground reservoirs is done. Lots of bird activity, as usual. The low point was having both my mom and son step in dogshit at the trailhead at the end of the walk and track it into the car. Yuck...

September 22, 2015 Jen Butcher Knife Peak 3.5 miles 500 feet gained

I had a fun trip on a lovely fall day. I continue to suffer from hip pain. Really trying to keep my hiking mileage down, but I still need my weekly fix of the great outdoors. This time, I biked up the 1340 Jones Creek Road-a slow easy grind, and wandered around on Butcher Knife Peak Ridge. I then rode down to Lost Lake and explored the lakeside on a very qui...

September 21, 2015 Woodswalker Eruption 10.18 miles 1,750 feet gained

It had been a long time goal to see St Helen's Lake. Monday I finally made it, with sparkling skies and beautiful autumn colors. The views here are different and spectacular around every turn.

September 20, 2015 Roman Ice House Lake 5.5 miles 500 feet gained

Other side of the same mountain - no chanterelles at all but quite a few boletes. Will get better if we have some wet, warm weather this fall.

September 20, 2015 Father Guido Sarducci Falls View Campground 6.5 miles 2,750 feet gained

Hiked to both the North & South view points on Walker then drove a short distance to the Falls View Campground & hiked the short falls loop trail.

September 20, 2015 Mileage Mike Sahale Falls 9.4 miles 2,000 feet gained

It was a gorgeous cool and breezy day on the Umbrella Falls trail! We didn't spend much time on the Timberline trail as we had to get back home on the earlier side. The parking lot for Elk Meadows was filled but they were spread out on the trail very well. We had Umbrella Falls to ourselves both going out and coming back! Some nice views of Mt. Hood and it w...

September 20, 2015 Rhonda Thomas Lake 8.5 miles 1,250 feet gained

Took my first but definitely not last trip to the Indian Heaven Wilderness today. Day was overcast and it was lightly raining by 130 as we were leaving but I have to say seeing all the fall colors out there was amazing. The pictures I got did not do it justice at all.

September 19, 2015 Roman Ice House Lake 3.5 miles 250 feet gained

Chanterelles going good already in many places, not enough to dry for winter but we picked a few pounds - it was the first real harvest of this season.

September 19 to September 20, 2015 JM Jefferson Park 18 miles 4,250 feet gained 1 night

Great fall colors up at Jefferson Park this weekend. The meadow is just waiting for snow. I hope it comes! We hiked high above the lakes out of sight of the hordes and masses ringing every lake.

September 19, 2015 acorn woodpecker Fish Creek Mountain 9 miles 4,250 feet gained

A beautiful day in the Clackamas area abound with treasures of discovery. Great ridgeline views from many different perspectives. The color is changing on the maples. Fresh coating of snow above 7500' on Hood and Jefferson. Only downside was the sound of gunfire.

September 19, 2015 Rhonda 6 miles 2,000 feet gained

Had a day to myself so went a solo stroll to Pechuck Lookout. Beautiful blue skies and perfect temperatures. Hiked much slower than normal and just enjoyed the time alone. Had a lazy lunch at the lookout and lounged for a couple hours and then headed out. Just in time to, ran into a couple of backpackers coming in and then two sets of dayhikers as i wandered...

September 19, 2015 Mileage Mike Ski Loop East 10.1 miles 1,250 feet gained

We were just looking for an easy trail so we could get outdoors and get some fresh air. We haven't been on this trail in many years and really enjoyed this forest walk in solitude! We met a bow hunter at NF65 and had a very nice talk with him. Apparently, he hasn't seen a deer or elk in the 6 days he has been out! On the way back to our car we saw four mount...

September 13, 2015 The Angry Hiker Wright Mountain 11.5 miles 3,000 feet gained

September 13 to September 14, 2015 B-Dog Ingalls Peak 8 miles 3,000 feet gained 1 night

Camped at the trail head and got a nice early start around 6:00 am. The approach to Ingalls Pass went quick and we were up at the lake in no time. The Ingalls Pass area would be a great place to camp and spend a few days relaxing in the wilderness. There are plenty of climbing routes on Ingalls and it would make for some nice alpine climbing from camp. Can't...

September 13, 2015 Mileage Mike Surprise Lakes 11 miles 1,500 feet gained

It's obvious that hunting season has started and it's not my favorite season to hike, although the cool weather is definitely a bonus! I also make sure to don the orange high visibility pack covers so we aren't mistaken as food! The temperature stayed in the 50's the entire day and it was refreshing and rejuvenating! Yes, we we're on the PCT again but had hi...

September 13, 2015 Woodswalker Paradise Park Loop 13.26 miles 3,000 feet gained

Due to intermittent car starting issues, which can't be diagnosed until it will occur for the mechanic, I am heading places that have reception, or people with phones or radios nearby. I thought Timberline would be crazy crowded, but it really wasn't except right around the lodge in the afternoon. The fall colors were stunning, crossing the Zigzag was ridicu...

September 13, 2015 Rhonda Marys Peak Campground 11.5 miles 2,750 feet gained

Took a trip to Mary's Peak. It was our first time there and we came in via the North trailhead so we could get a little mileage as well. We've had a busy few weeks and haven't hike since late August so the elevation gain was kind of grueling today but we pushed through and made decent time. We have been adding some trail running on our trips out especially o...

September 12 to September 13, 2015 JM Fryingpan Creek 16 miles 3,000 feet gained 1 night

Awesome overnighter to a new area for me. The fall colors were just outstanding. Even though this was one of the most crowded trails I have ever hiked on, the views were spectacular and it was just a perfect weekend outing.

September 12, 2015 B-Dog Guye Peak 3.5 miles 2,000 feet gained

Did my annual scramble up the cream of some young guye. Took my buddy Tyson up the South Rib Route. We had a great time and enjoyed the last real hot day of summer. Afterwards we drove to Teanaway and car camped at Esmeralda trail head. The next day we climbed up to Ingalls Peak. This was a nice slam to end the summer season. Looking forward to some fall cli...

September 12, 2015 Mileage Mike Lost Lake Vista 11.2 miles 2,000 feet gained

I guess we couldn't stay away from the PCT and thought that reaching the PCT via the Huckleberry Mtn. Trail from Lost Lake would be fun! Lost Lake was absolutely packed with people and the campground was full. We stopped at the general store to find directions to the Huckleberry Mtn trail and the older gentleman was full of interesting PCT info! On the outbo...

September 12, 2015 Rich Cascade Head 15 miles 3,000 feet gained

September 10 to September 14, 2015 Roman Chikamin Peak 26.86 miles 9,000 feet gained 4 nights

After busy Labor Day, got out on Thursday to explore Alpine Lakes Wilderness for the first time. Started at Rachel Lake trailhead and camped at Rampart Lakes, which was a must-see after reading epic TR's from the area (probably THE most crowded area I ever camped in, but justifiably so). When I came it was already getting dark, and found all campsites busy o...

September 9 to September 11, 2015 Jim Prt Trailhead Connector 16 miles 2,500 feet gained 2 nights

"Central Oregon" wilderness exploring -- mostly off trail. Very hot. Small lakes. Bull elk annoyed with my choice of tent sites.

September 7, 2015 Mountainkat Dee Wright Observatory 17.59 miles 3,500 feet gained

We parked at Dee Wright and took the PCT to the Matthieu Lakes trail, eventually getting back on the PCT to go out to Opie Dilldock Pass. We stopped at Yapoah Crater and hiked to the top along the way. We had not intended on hiking to the top of Collier Cone, but we went up a bit to see a better view of North Sister and kept climbing the ridge, so we just co...

September 7, 2015 Woodswalker Lake Kwaddis 11.5 miles 1,750 feet gained

Ponds and more ponds! Tarns, lakes galore as well. We took established trails for the first part of the day, then some version of the various older and unmaintained trails to get back. The PCT is great, but I really prefer the older trails though the meadows. The sun never fully emerged but it was out enough to make lots of great reflections in the water. Gr...

September 7, 2015 Mileage Mike The Wart 9.4 miles 1,750 feet gained

This was our last hike to try and meetup with PCT through hikers and handout Oreo Cookies. Indian Heaven Wilderness is always an excellent choice for hiking the PCT so we started at the Crest Camp access area. We saw quite a few day hikers and backpackers on the way out, but no PCT through hikers. Fortunately, we hit pay dirt on the way back, after we turned...

September 6, 2015 Mountainkat 10.66 miles 500 feet gained

The Cascades were socked in and rainy, so we headed over to the Badlands Wilderness to enjoy complete quiet and an empty trail, despite seeing cars at the first trailhead and horse trailers at the trailhead where we parked. This hike was a great variation from mountain hiking. We enjoyed spending the day with twisted old juniper trees, sagebrush, and lizards...

September 6, 2015 Karl Falls Creek Falls 11 miles 1,500 feet gained

Was shocked back into Fall, as we hiked through the rain and enjoyed the onset of autumn colors. Lots of folks along the short 1.7 mile trail from parking lot to spectacular 335' Falls Creek Falls. But hardly anyone on the trail above, that leads to views of the upper tier and eventually all the way to Indian Heaven. Perhaps the most amazing thing we saw all...

September 6, 2015 Mileage Mike Moody Creek 11.1 miles 2,000 feet gained

Hiked solo today so wanted to stay fairly close to home. Thought I'd just hike the PCT south from Bridge of the Gods and stop off at Dry Creek Falls and The Pinnacles. I'll admit I was somewhat inspired by having watched the movie "Wild" last night on HBO. It was.....interesting, but not quite what I expected. I did enjoy the ending where she walked out on t...

September 5 to September 7, 2015 The Angry Hiker Middle Fork Silesia Creek 8 miles 3,250 feet gained 2 nights

September 5 to September 7, 2015 B-Dog Park Lakes 13.5 miles 3,750 feet gained 2 nights

After going to Michele's Cabin the last 2 years for Labor Day, we decided it was time to get back to our roots and hit the trail for our annual Family Backpacking Trip. We had a great time up at Park Lakes near Salmon La Sac. The cast and crew consisted of the usual suspects.

September 5 to September 6, 2015 Father Guido Sarducci Spectacle Lake 25.25 miles 4,500 feet gained 1 night

Was suppose to be a 2 nighter but the rainy weather cut the trip short by a night. Camped @ Pete Lake then day hiked up to Spectacle. This will be on my re-do list as I expect the views @ Spectacle during favorable weather conditions would be very nice.

September 5, 2015 Roman Indian Heaven Lakes 6.5 miles 1,250 feet gained

Brrr... (nice fall colors, though!)

September 5, 2015 acorn woodpecker Ridge Cut-Off 8 miles 3,500 feet gained

Unexpectedly had the afternoon and went a new way up a familiar haunt in Herman Creek area. Basked in the sun along a ridge. Good hiking weather; pleasantly cool with a high enough cloud ceiling to enjoy the immediate surroundings. Topped out at a high point before dropping down to Indian Point for more dramatic views. Exited via Gorton Creek Trail to comple...