Recent Hikes

July 1, 2015 Mileage Mike Willamette Pass 10.8 miles 1,500 feet gained

We always like to hike a portion of the PCT while on vacation and had only gone south into Diamond Peak Wilderness from Willamette Pass. This turned out to be a beautiful section of the PCT and well worth the time. The trail from the parking lot to the Roseary Lakes has a gentle slope and is well shaded, which worked well in the heat. The three Roseary Lakes...

July 1 to July 4, 2015 Chris Italy Pass 58 miles 12,000 feet gained 3 nights

June 30, 2015 Mileage Mike Tranquil Cove 10.4 miles 1,250 feet gained

We wanted to hike into Diamond Peak Wilderness and get a good view of the snow capped mountains. A bit of research led to the Whitefish Creek trail and ending at Diamond View Lake. The drive to this TH was on decent roads and finding the White Fish Horse Camp, where the trail began, was straightforward. However, the TH wasn't obvious, and we had to drive aro...

June 30, 2015 Father Guido Sarducci 3.6 miles 500 feet gained

Visiting the Grandkids in Vilseck Germany. Took my eldest Grandson hiking/exploring @ the castle ruins in Flossenberg.

June 29, 2015 Mileage Mike Devils Lake Campground 11.7 miles 1,250 feet gained

This was a last minute decision, to visit Horse Lake and spend some time on the PCT. I thought it would be more interesting to make it into a loop hike too. This turned out to be a great decision as there were very few hikers on the trail, except around Horse Lake. We also had the good fortune to meet two PCT through hikers (SheepWagon & Fuego) that had flip...

June 29, 2015 Jim 4 miles 1,000 feet gained

Quick 2 hour outing followed by a nice reward.

June 28, 2015 Mileage Mike Sparks Lake 10.1 miles 1,500 feet gained

A coworker that is in the Mazamas recommended we try this trail, and it's a gem! What can I say is good about this trail....Everything! What can I say bad about this trail...It's crowded, but the people were dispersed along its length. This trail ranks up there with the finest hikes we've ever had the privilege to experience! Falls Creek presents you with a ...

June 28, 2015 Rhonda Pamelia Lake 10 miles 1,250 feet gained

Took a trip up to Pamelia Lake with the intent of going into Hunts Cove. It was supposed to be well over 90 that day so we dressed in shorts etc. Day started off pretty good, ran into quite a few backpackers coming out. We were shocked when we got to the lake. The water level had dropped dramatically in the last two months, it appeared nearly empty! Ranger w...

June 28, 2015 Mountainkat Striped Peak 5.34 miles 1,250 feet gained

Clouds had rolled in over the Olympic Mountains, and we didn't want to risk getting into a lightning storm in the high country, so we decided to check out the Salt Creek Recreation Area. We spent some time on Tongue Point checking out the tide pools, where we saw a couple of otters near the rocks, who were curious about us and were peeking up from the rocks ...

June 28, 2015 Pablo Fish Creek Mountain 8.5 miles 4,000 feet gained

Did a hike n bike on Fish Creek Mtn. Drove up to the Fish Creek Mtn trail head and stashed a bike for the return trip. Drove back down to the Indian Henry Campground and parked at the Clackamas River trail head. Hiked up the south ridge of Whale Creek and bushwhacked over to High Lake and got on trail for the summit. Warm, muggy and a lot of haze.

June 28, 2015 Jim 8 miles 2,750 feet gained

Snuck out for a nice hike while on vacation back east. I'd almost forgot how much I enjoy hiking the Blue Ridge mountains. The flora diversity is amazing and nothing smells quite like a deciduous forest. Plus, at 50F, it was a nice relief after 95+ at the Outerbanks the previous week. Not that I'm complaining about warm weather at the beach...

June 27, 2015 Stacey Cochran Pond 10 miles 750 feet gained

Beating the heat with a hike in the Coast Range on an old railroad line.

June 27, 2015 Mileage Mike Sahalie Falls 10 miles 750 feet gained

We had originally planned a trip to Yellowstone for 10 days, but these plans were pleasantly interrupted by the potential expected delivery of our grandson in this time frame. So instead, we planned to stay within several hours of home by changing our plans to the Bend/La Pine area. Gratefully, our daughter-in-law gave birth to our grandson the day after our...

June 27 to June 28, 2015 Roman Junction Lake 12.76 miles 1,500 feet gained 1 night

Camped at Placid Lake, made a loop on Sunday and visited Chenamus, Junction Lake, and went above Bear and Deer lakes on PCT - probably should have stayed down at Placid because it was so hot and mosquitoes didn't allow us to stop or rest. But it was nice to see the area in summer, still lots of beargrass. Looks like there will be loads of berries in the fall...

June 27, 2015 JM Ed'S Trail 6 miles 1,250 feet gained

June 27, 2015 Mountainkat Royal Basin 16.62 miles 3,750 feet gained

This is a fabulous hike and I would definitely like to spend a night or two in Royal Basin someday! It is in the national park, so there is limited, permit only camping. The first 3 miles of the hike walk first near the Dungeness River and then Royal Creek, which are beautiful. Then, it goes into and out of brushy avalanche slopes and forest, finally reachin...

June 27, 2015 Chris South Sister 12.5 miles 5,500 feet gained

June 26 to June 27, 2015 isaac 3 miles 250 feet gained 1 night

Mainly used this as a place to sleep for a night. Camped in Oliver Lee. Hiking in the dunes was really neat. Wished we could have camped along the Backcountry Loop trail.

June 26 to June 27, 2015 Kyle Meyer Soda Peaks Lake 4 miles 500 feet gained 1 night

Had a friend in town from Florida. Showed him what the American west is like.

June 26, 2015 Mountainkat Lake of the Angels 7.13 miles 3,500 feet gained

We hiked the Putvin Trail up to the Lake of the Angels. The hike does get pretty steep going over the head wall and it was challenging in the heat. There was no snow anywhere. Despite seeing recent photos with goats near the lake, hoof marks in mud and goat fur on vegetation, we didn't see any goats. The lake is quite lovely and the water was fairly warm. We...

June 26, 2015 Jim 1.5 miles 500 feet gained

If only the "other" Mt Jefferson was so easy. This one has a road to the top and sits in the Blue Ridge Mtns of NC.

June 26, 2015 Karl Silver Sands 14.5 miles 500 feet gained

The forecast called for temps over 90° just about everywhere. We preferred mid-50°s, and found it! Located a trailhead along a road outside Cape Lookout State Park, which enabled avoiding the entry fees. This descended through the coastal rainforest to the beach, thus giving us our only EG for the day at the very tail end of the hike. Just meandered down the...

June 25, 2015 acorn woodpecker Lamberson Butte 9 miles 2,500 feet gained

Started from Elk Meadows TH at Mt. Hood Meadows ski area. Great wildflowers and beautiful views along the Newton Creek drainage and along Gnarl Ridge. Looped back along the Timberline Trail and down the Newton Creek Trail for a lollipop loop.

June 25, 2015 Mike J Mcneil Point 10 miles 3,500 feet gained

June 24, 2015 Mileage Mike Mill Pond 4.2 miles 500 feet gained

Another mid week de-stressing hike. Thank goodness the quarter is over today! This is a very nice area for a leisurely after work hike although the summer weather brought out plenty of people. There were many kids playing in Lacamas Creek but we found some solitude on the southern portion of the park! The smell of the exposed algae from the low water at Laca...

June 24, 2015 Woodswalker Fifteenmile Campground 9.19 miles 1,750 feet gained

Great day in one of my favorite places. Fret creek is one of the few shady hikes in the Badger Creek Wilderness. We went up and caught the Divide trail from Lookout Mountain. Went a ways up the road the goes to Flag Point to a place we call Arch point. Then walked back down the gravel roads and a mile on the paved road to our car. We saw no one and only two ...

June 23 to June 26, 2015 isaac 10 miles 2,500 feet gained 3 nights

Hiked down the North Kaibab Trail as our main event. Then did a bunch of smaller hikes touring all over the North Rim. This was probably the best (and hardest) hiking of the whole roadtrip.

June 23, 2015 Mountainkat Artist Ridge 3.03 miles 1,000 feet gained

This was a short, easy hike on my way out to see 360 views. Good stuff, but this area at the end of hwy 542 obviously gets a lot of use. But, the trail was quiet, with few people on a Monday.

June 22, 2015 Mountainkat Mazama Dome 7.64 miles 2,000 feet gained

I met a friend and we hiked the Chain Lakes loop. Quite beautiful hike with great views of Shuksan and Baker. Beside a couple very small patches on the trail, there was no snow.

June 22 to June 23, 2015 Roman Bismark Mountain 9.25 miles 3,000 feet gained 1 night

Joined Kelly from PH and 2 SAR veterans to hike Bismark Mtn and 2 other unnamed, untrailed summits on both sides of Rd. 26. Great day, all-around views, several deer and elk sightings, and loads of wild strawberries. Green, lush area with lots of wildflowers, but already very dry. Kelly knows lots of stories and history on that area, apparently there were 50...

June 22, 2015 Woodswalker Sahale Falls 10.5 miles 2,000 feet gained

Wild flower explosion day! Also lots of deer, birds and small tadpoles. I decided to see the flowers before the upcoming heat fried them. I headed up towards Umbrella Falls from the Elk Meadows trail and then continued onto the Timberline Trail over to Heather Canyon. Turned around there and from Umbrella falls area took the Sahalie Falls trail down to my ca...

June 21, 2015 Kinkilla Saddle Mountain 5.5 miles 1,750 feet gained

June 21 to June 23, 2015 isaac Little Baldy 8 miles 1,000 feet gained 2 nights

Hiked a couple short ones. Wife was 6 mo. pregnant so we took it easy. Main hike was up to Little Baldy. Really nice. Fairly easy hike and highly rewarding views. Did some other shorter hikes to see Gen. Sherman, Giant Tree Forest, and Crescent Meadow.

June 21, 2015 Rich Marquam Gulch 9 miles 1,250 feet gained

June 21, 2015 Mileage Mike Dee Lake 10.1 miles 1,250 feet gained

This is a favorite hike in Indian Heaven Wilderness, and it didn't disappoint today. The parking lot wasn't full, and it appeared that we saw all the backpackers headed back to the TH from Blue Lake. About three hours of our hike was without seeing any people on the trail! The water levels were low and it was weird to not see any snow this early in the seaso...

June 21, 2015 Pablo Wiesendanger Falls 6 miles 2,250 feet gained

Leg stretcher up the Elevator Shaft - the trail has seen some work and with bits of flagging was easy to follow all the way up to the basin. Poison oak at the start.

June 21, 2015 Mountainkat Lake Valhalla 13.37 miles 2,500 feet gained

I hiked the PCT from Stevens Pass to Lake Valhalla. The trail travels an open forest ridge and then climbs through meadows and forest to the lake. I saw just a couple other hikers coming out from backpacking. A lot of people were at the lake, having apparently hiked from the Smithbrook Trailhead. I decided to hike to the top of Mt. McCausland, since it was j...

June 21, 2015 Rhonda Pulpit Rock 9 miles 2,000 feet gained

Decided to head out to Mt.Hood and do a new to us hike and head into Elk Cove via the Vista Ridge Trail. Started off kind of late for us and got to the TH at 10 am. Ton of cars already there. We headed up the ridge and noted the lily extravaganza had passed but oh my it was the Bear grass' turn to shine. Bear grass was everywhere and I really enjoyed the con...

June 20, 2015 Kinkilla McNeil Point 16 miles 3,750 feet gained

June 20, 2015 The Angry Hiker Snoqualmie Mountain 3.5 miles 3,250 feet gained

June 20 to June 21, 2015 Water (Matt) Thayer Glacier 8 miles 3,000 feet gained 1 night

After going to Pole Ck TH to visit Middle and North Sister I think 7 times, the last time I was there was in the spring of 2012 for a ski trip. I had not been back since the fire. Wow, first of all I was saddened to see those lovely ponderosas about a quarter or half mile up the trail all burned to a crisp and blackened. Those were some magnificent trees. Mo...

June 20 to June 21, 2015 Jen Unicorn Peak 6 miles 2,000 feet gained 1 night

Went with the Mazama Families Group. Third time I've done this trip, but the first time with no snow. The gully above Snow Lake is much slower going without that snow. It took us so long to gain the ridge, we decided not to attempt the summit block. But the weather was great, the scenery spectacular and the kids were cheerful the whole way.

June 20, 2015 Mileage Mike Lost Creek Nature 10.1 miles 2,250 feet gained

We haven't been to Burnt Lake in a while and decided to head out and experience it again. The road to the TH isn't the best, but we had no issues, and the parking lot was full when we arrived. The trail dispersed the hikers fairly well, but Burnt Lake was crowded (as expected). After admiring the beautiful view of Mt. Hood in the background, we continued on ...

June 20, 2015 Mike J Silver Star Mountain 5 miles 1,500 feet gained

June 20, 2015 Mountainkat Dirtyface Mountain 7.8 miles 4,000 feet gained

This is was a fairly hot, sun-exposed, brushy hike with some decent elevation gain per mile. Views from the top are great!

June 20, 2015 Karl Sandy Glacier 13 miles 4,000 feet gained

Despite arriving at the Top Spur trailhead right about 8am, the main parking was already consumed, and folks were starting to parallel park above and below. Still, we ran into very few other hikers all day, considering the number of cars we saw. The walk up the ridge, through the forest, was very pleasant in the coolness of morning. Not as many flowers out o...

June 20, 2015 Manish Sinha 5.5 miles 2,500 feet gained

We started hiking around 3 PM in the evening towards Mt Lafayette summit, but had to cut short the trip till Greenleaf hut due to reducing sunlight. The total trip was 2.75 miles both ways and took 3 hours to ascend and 2 hours to descend.

June 20, 2015 Rhonda Opal Creek 7.5 miles 750 feet gained

Took a late afternoon hike with the family to Jawbone Flats. So many people. Not a fan of the summertime crowds.

June 20, 2015 Father Guido Sarducci Mount Constance 13.5 miles 3,250 feet gained

Clouds moved in to obscure the views @ the ridge top but nether less an enjoyable hike with the dog.

June 19 to June 20, 2015 acorn woodpecker Glisan Glacier 13 miles 4,750 feet gained 1 night

Did an overnighter for the solstice. Cold and windy. 38 degrees in the morning with wind. Followed Cathedral Ridge up to where it steepens and traversed over between snowfields and above the Glisan Glacier to drop onto the steep ridge between Glisan and Ladd Glaciers (i.e. Gladd Ridge), which flattens into a prominent moraine as it descends into Cairn Basin....