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May 30, 2015 13.5 miles 3,000 feet gained
WATER!!! everywhere....just no way to access it. Learned that lesson on Saturday, after 8 hours, a great sunburn that now reads tan, 3 ltrs of water that just got me through, and a total of nearly 14 mi and 3k ft elevation. Despite the water issue, could not have asked for a better day. Amazing views of St. Helens and Adams, gorgeous young forest on the way ...
May 3, 2015 5 miles 1,500 feet gained
A good cool-down hike after Table Mt. the day before. Good training for Zion this summer-feeling ready. Took some friends up the hill for the great views, which never disappoint. Heavy trail traffic coming down confirmed that an early start is always better, especially in the Gorge.
May 2, 2015 11 miles 3,500 feet gained
Awesome tough hike up Table Mt. this past weekend. Plenty of sweeping views once getting off Heartbreak Ridge and through the rock field. Took the N ridge route back down, which opened us up to Rainer, St. Helens and Adams. Tip of Jefferson peaked out at is during lunch which, when combined with Hood, made this a 5 peak day. Fantastic!
April 18 to April 19, 2015 7.5 miles 750 feet gained 1 night
So this 2.5 mile jaunt to stay the night at 4,000' Butte Camp on St. Helens turned into a fun-filled morning of re-tracing steps back to the sign which says nothing about Butte Camp. With the trail map firmly upon the kitchen counter, we did our best and finally made it up to the camp, where nary a dry spot was to be found among the remaining 6 inches of sno...
April 5, 2015 7.5 miles 3,000 feet gained
Not quite in full bloom yet, but showing signs of life in the meadow as well as the forest. This trek was challenging for this first-timer, only because folly set in and I left my poles at home! ouch go the knees and joints, but still a worthwhile and wonderful hike. Very crowded, but lunch at the top chatting with a father-son combo in training for St. Hele...
April 3, 2015 4.5 miles 1,750 feet gained
An amazing morning trek up with all the other short trail, live for the views, enthusiasts. An acquaintance visiting from out of town prompted this trip and the views did not disappoint. Though we could spot the ominous dark clouds rolling in through Portland by mid-morning, making our summit short-lived. Got back to car just in time as the drops started to ...
March 27 to March 29, 2015 3.5 miles 500 feet gained 2 nights
A worthwhile trip for disc-golf, short hike-in camping, and camping with the offspring. This trip was even more worthwhile because of the community fire rings at the hike-in camp...a host of entertaining characters provided ample laughter on both nights. Sadly, the OMSI star party was cancelled due to clouds/rain, but good times were had by all nonetheless. ...
March 22 to March 24, 2015 5 miles 1,000 feet gained 2 nights
Gorgeous mixed weather...while our friends climbed we braved the steep terrain up and over Smith Rock then along the river loop. We spotted a pair of bald eagles and their nest, river otter floating, Heron fishing, hawks & turkey vultures, and one would even swear we saw a black bear across the way from a distance hanging out on a ledge-can't say for sure wi...
March 15, 2015 12 miles 1,750 feet gained
A great Spanish lesson with my student as we hiked in heavy rain, with a few temporary breaks. Got lost once-oops-since bridge washed out and had to backtrack. Made for more elevation gain as we headed back the way we came and on around. Finally made it down Saltzman past the runners and walkers...encantado.
March 8, 2015 12 miles 1,250 feet gained
Great forest trek up an old service road followed by some serious wilderness trekking off the beaten path. A machete and a chain saw would have been helpful for this one-serious overgrowth and fell trees/rocks all along the path.
February 21, 2015 5 miles 1,250 feet gained
A gorgeous Oregon Coast day. Wildlife a'plenty including bald eagle, large herd of elk, ladybugs, and centipedes crossing our path (or us crossing theirs). Overlooking the Salmon River and the coastline from this vantage point is a great reminder of how small we are in this world, and how blessed we are to see such beautiful things in this lifetime.
February 15, 2015 7 miles 1,500 feet gained
Gorgeous 180 degree view: viewable peaks included St. Helens, Rainier, Adams, Hood, Three-Fingered Jack and all Three Sisters. After a short jaunt to the top, and braving the windy ridge out to the edge of Table Rock for lunch, we were in awe over the visibility and beauty that spread out before us.
January 25, 2015 11 miles 1,750 feet gained
An incredibly beautiful hike up, up, up via Wahkeena Falls/Springs just west of Multnomah Falls. At the junction up above we headed over and down to Angel's Rest for lunch then back via the Multnomah Falls loop to join the tourists. A gorgeous day.
January 19, 2015 4.5 miles 500 feet gained
Awesomeness after heavy rain in Oregon last couple days. Lots of rocks had slid down the walls of this gorge, and a plethora of fresh falls that normally are out of sight. Punchbowl, upper and lower, were raging. Full creek, handful of mates on the trail, great short hike-including a slightly treacherous crossing of Eagle Creek just before the Punchbowl drop...
January 10, 2015 10 miles 1,000 feet gained
An amazing meander the first couple miles, then up, up, up over the last two. Amazing, clear January day with friends-views of the Salmon River Gorge, raging water, and solace above it all!