March 9, 2014 Nat Turner Old Channel 5.5 miles 0 feet gained
Restoration work has made a big difference in the Sandy/Columbia confluence. The Sandy River was Hustling and about to Burst.
Recent Hikes
March 9, 2014 Bosterson Tunnel Falls 10 miles 1,500 feet gained
Late start on a surprisingly not rainy day. We were aiming for Tunnel Falls or beyond but were completely stymied by a roaring "creek" crossing the trail right before the Eagle-Benson junction. We decided not to go for a swim... Lots of water everywhere, Punchbowl and Metlako were roaring, tons of seasonal falls - Eagle Creek was as high as I've ever seen.
March 9, 2014 Father Guido Sarducci Gamm Creek 13.18 miles 2,000 feet gained
Hiked into the ONP as far as old ranger station.
March 8, 2014 Mileage Mike Look Lake 8.9 miles 1,750 feet gained
March 8, 2014 Debbi Greenleaf Slough 7 miles 750 feet gained
March 8, 2014 Chris Toketee Falls 2.5 miles 1,000 feet gained
March 8, 2014 The Angry Hiker Hope Creek 5 miles 2,250 feet gained
B-Dog wanted to meet up at 8 am, but you have to hit this trail early if you want to beat the poodles. I was already on the summit by the time he crawled out of bed and moseyed to the trailhead. So I went back down the mountain and climbed it again. I was about to go for #3 when he finally showed up. For a "training climb," he sure takes his own sweet time.
March 8, 2014 Allison Table Mountain 12 miles 4,250 feet gained
A pretty wet day. No photos. No snow until the north ridge of Table Mountain, where a few feet mingle with the slide alder to create a post-hole hell tunnel to the powerline jeep track. I'm taking loppers next time through. There is about 6 inches of snow on the PCT for about 3/4 of a mile from the jeep track.
March 8, 2014 Pablo Council Crest 5 miles 1,000 feet gained
Had to work today so I took a break and took a hike, trails were muddy.
March 7 to March 8, 2014 Kyle Meyer Opal Pool 6 miles 0 feet gained 1 night
March 7 to March 8, 2014 Kyle Meyer Opal Pool 6 miles 500 feet gained 1 night
Lovely early season camp along Opal Creek
March 7, 2014 Allison Catherine Creek Shortcut 13 miles 2,750 feet gained
The grass windows are out! The grass widows are out!
March 7, 2014 Woodswalker Beacon Rock 2.2 miles 500 feet gained
March 7, 2014 Karl Catherine Creek Loop 13.5 miles 3,250 feet gained
Found Spring! 70° and Sunny! Just had a marvelous day traversing the desert regime in the Catherine Creek area, over to Coyote Wall, with a return through the Labyrinth. Even wading across a couple of frigid streams only added to the enjoyment of the day.
March 7, 2014 Jen Labyrinth 7 miles 1,750 feet gained
Wandered and basked, flowers are coming on fast now. Ticks hatched and popping all over the place.
March 6, 2014 Team Reynolds Summit 5 miles 500 feet gained
Great snowshoe and only saw 1 person on the trail. You can continue to Trillium lake but we ran out of time, great back way to the lake.
March 5, 2014 Pablo Council Crest 5.1 miles 1,000 feet gained
Hiked up to Council Crest from the work-20. Wet, very wet.
March 3, 2014 Elsie Cave Falls 14 miles 1,000 feet gained
Surprising day when there shows evidence of a sun! Amazing, lovely hike along the Lewis River. Had hoped to park at the Lower LR TH, but snow on the road stopped us. Easily made it to Curly Creek TH (in a truck over slush), and set off for an easy out-n-back. Saw a massive heard of elk mulling (quick head count of 31, and more behind trees and other elk..and...
March 2, 2014 Mileage Mike Smith Creek 10.5 miles 1,500 feet gained
March 2, 2014 Chris Singletree Gulch 3 miles 500 feet gained
March 2, 2014 acorn woodpecker Mount Tabor 3 miles 500 feet gained
March 2, 2014 Allison Lower Twin Lakeshore 9 miles 1,500 feet gained
What a weird weather day: low 30s and freezing rain in Portland, 31 and a total ice palace in Troutdale, 37 degrees in Sandy, 35 at Government Camp, 41 degrees at the Frog Lake Sno-Park. The forecast called for snow then rain, but it was reversed. It was raining when we started and snowed throughout the tour. Big, white, hamster-sized flakes. Met A LOT (abou...
March 1, 2014 Mileage Mike Moulton Falls 12.5 miles 2,750 feet gained
March 1, 2014 Chris Fish Lake 5 miles 250 feet gained
A nice meander along a creek and dammed lake
March 1, 2014 Karl Herman Creek 16.5 miles 3,500 feet gained
Forecast was glum just about everywhere. Decided it'd be better to be in the snow than the rain, and no need to seek high ground! So we had a most excellent walk in the old growth up the Herman Creek trail to Cedar Swamp. It snowed nearly the entire day, which provided a most beautiful flocking on everything. Last storm had melted out to almost 2500', so eas...
March 1, 2014 JM Log Pond Lake 7.5 miles 0 feet gained
February 28, 2014 JM Mount Talbert 3 miles 500 feet gained
February 28, 2014 Allison Silver Star Mountain 8.5 miles 2,750 feet gained
Silver Star was making its own weather, so we went up to check it out. No snow on the road to the trailhead. Snow coverage starts around Mile 1; we switched to snowshoes around Mile 2. Made a loop of it by returning the Sturgeon Rock / Tarbell Trail. A great hike!
February 27, 2014 acorn woodpecker Aldrich Butte 4.5 miles 1,250 feet gained
From Aldrich TH went around Aldrich West trail (which had fresh pink flagging with directions on where the trail went written on the flagging) to Cedar Creek crossing. My dad got his feet wet during the crossing and we turned around and went up to tag Aldrich Butte and looped back down to the road. Windy and cold on the summit.
February 25, 2014 Lekilei253 Robins Island 3 miles 500 feet gained
February 25, 2014 Team Reynolds Cold Creek 9 miles 1,250 feet gained
Our favorite way to do this trail. The hike north along Cedar Creek is absolutely beautiful, the clear cuts provide nice views and good raptor hunting grounds and the temp was around 50 and sunny. Great day... saw the top of St Helens and a bald eagle flew right over us.
February 24, 2014 Elsie South Fork Eagle Creek 15.5 miles 1,750 feet gained
Soggy, luscious day in the rainforest of the Salomon-Huckleberry Wilderness. Hit snow in the final third portion of the trail, but the route was pretty obvious. Melted out prints were there from Saturday or Sunday. Several creek crossings, but were easy enough. Elk footprints in the snow. Wish it had been a loop, but ah well. Driving and finding the trailhea...
February 23, 2014 Mileage Mike Balfour-Klickitat Day Use 11 miles 250 feet gained
February 23, 2014 acorn woodpecker Mount Tabor 3 miles 500 feet gained
February 23, 2014 Pablo Broughton Bluff 2.5 miles 750 feet gained
Did the scramble up Broughton Bluffs, twice as I wanted video but the first time the camera turned off on its own and I missed the shot - did a do-over for double the 400' EG. I hiked with a group - we all wore similar clothing.
February 23, 2014 Nat Turner Devils Rest 8 miles 2,750 feet gained
I'm mad that someone took the Wakeena Springs Stone/Carved sign away. I think that the amount of wood it took to make the sign, to announce the closure of the Benson Bridge could be used to patch the Benson Bridge. I am serious about this. see attached pic. Busy Day on the trails. Back to the car just as the rains came. Win.
February 23, 2014 Father Guido Sarducci Tiger Mountain 7.36 miles 2,750 feet gained
Took the Issaquah High School trail up just past the 15 mile gap.
February 23, 2014 Jen Council Crest 4 miles 1,000 feet gained
Little morning jaunt before going back to the grind.
February 22, 2014 Roman Devils Rest 8 miles 2,250 feet gained
February 22, 2014 Mileage Mike Keenig Creek 10.3 miles 1,750 feet gained
February 22, 2014 Chris Damnation Creek 3 miles 500 feet gained
This hike was down in the Damnation Creek area.
February 22, 2014 Bosterson Devils Rest 10 miles 3,000 feet gained
Up Wahkeena, west on Angel's Rest trail until you find the secret tree for the abandoned Primrose Path, up to Devil's with a bit of a brush thrash at the end. No time for extended adventuring, so down Foxglove Way and back down Wahkeena, with side trips to Necktie Falls and Monument Point.
February 22, 2014 Team Reynolds Elliott Creek 8.5 miles 1,750 feet gained
Very nice loop with LOTS of water crossings and beautiful weather. Except for one mountain biker going the other way we didn't see anyone all day. If you do this from Summit trailhead and go clockwise be prepared for a steep climb at the end.
February 22, 2014 Karl Saddle Mountain 5.5 miles 2,250 feet gained
Returned to an old favorite for an excellent morning jaunt! First time here in winter, and actually first time here in nearly eight years. This one's always fun, if pretty short. Trail was in excellent shape; just a bit of snow up top.
