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20 miles / 3,500 feet gained
We had so much fun last year, we came back. While the atmospheric river was blessing the PNW, we were soaking up that lovely Sonoran sunshine. We were able to immerse in desert scenery everyday. The city travel was pretty stress free, and oh the food! Got to visit a few petroglyph sites in the Signal Hill and Picture Rocks drainage. Visited Cochise Stronghol...
15 miles / 2,000 feet gained
Got away to Vegas for the fourth year in a row ! The trip was mostly focused on climbing, but there were some recent rains and we had to wait two days for the sandstone to dry. Fiorst day was a fun trip in Valley of Fire State Park where we climbed Fire Horn Peak, and searched for arches, So fun to scramble around in the red sculptures and slot canyons. Also...
3.5 miles / 750 feet gained
Came up for a sunny day hike on my birthday, but the wind was fierce and I wasn't feeling well, so we turned back and had lunch at the lodge. Was sick for several days afterward.
8 miles / 1,000 feet gained
Came out for a scout out before leading a Mazama hike in the area. Quite a few hunters around, that made things intimidating. Returned on the 11th, to lead a trip through the caves, what fun!
20 miles / 2,500 feet gained
Spent a few days in my beloved desert canyons on the Deschutes and John Day. Stayed in cabins at Maupin and Cottonwood Canyon, relaxing at night and wandering the riversides and bluffs during the day.
18 miles / 2,000 feet gained
Went on two different hikes in Central Oregon. The first was along the Trout Creek trail which extends from Mecca Flat to Trout Creek Campground along the Deschutes River, just north of Warm Springs. We didn't see any other hikers, but lots of fisherfolk, mostly in the river. The second hike was on the north side of Gray Butte. I meant to summit but the wind...
10 miles / 1,000 feet gained
Spent two nights at the Peterson Prairie Guard Station. Wandered all around the area and visited Goose Lake, and Falls Creek Cave. Vine maple in the lava flows were blazing red. Found some mushrooms and had them for dinner!
23 miles / 4,500 feet gained / 2 nights
This was a re-do from a few years ago where we got snowed out- in June! This time we were concerned about getting water so late in the year, but no worries. The springs were all running strong and both canyons were lush and full of life. We went up Big I, and down Little Blitzen. The aspen were just starting to turn, with a few groves bright yellow and shaki...
11 miles / 4,500 feet gained
Went up via the Boundary Trail. I've hear some terrible stories of bushwacky nightmares, but I think that was from the West Side Road. This was fairly straightforward; with a keen eye and good nav skills, the tread was followed with only one minor detour. Saw a couple goats on the summit and a bear in the distance. Yes - you say Wow at the top!
21 miles / 4,000 feet gained / 2 nights
Fun, chill trip. Huckleberries everywhere. Watched a browsing bear for hours on the first night. Swam in 5 or 6 lakes. Soaked at Sol Duc Hotsprings before the long drive home.
27 miles / 5,000 feet gained / 2 nights
Camped near Warm Lake and climbed Gilbert Peak
12 miles / 2,500 feet gained
Family trip to CA, We hiked at Point Lobos and Fremont Peak near Monterey, and the Gargoyle Trail and Blue Canyon Trail near Sonora Pass in the Sierras.
22.5 miles / 8,000 feet gained / 1 night
Had a warm up hike on our first day up Death canyon, 8.5 miles, 2000 ft gain. Then an attempt to climb the Grand via Exum Ridge but we turned back at 12,500 ft. 14 miles, 6000 ft gain
22 miles / 7,500 feet gained / 2 nights
Lovely visit to a favorite area. Climbed Pyramid Peak and Copper Mountain. Saw two bears!
8.5 miles / 6,250 feet gained / 1 night
This was supposed to be a Tatoosh Traverse, but we had some issues on Wahpenayo, which put us way behind schedule. Then one of our party became ill, so we decided to bail on the second day. Still, it was beautiful up there as we wandered and bushwacked up and down scree, steep flower filled meadows and ridges, seeing only goats, pikas and marmots.
45 miles / 7,500 feet gained / 3 nights
Ohh that's a doozy of an approach. But what a beautiful climb into the lofty heights. Blue glacier is massive, and the summit approach and views in every direction- I didn't want to leave! Went on a Tuesday and we were the first of only two teams to climb that day.
19 miles / 5,500 feet gained / 2 nights
Started in the heat of a very hot day on the Dark Meadow trail which begins with a refreshing wade across the E Fork of the Cispus River. This trail was okay, but many sections of it are deeply rutted by motorbikes- it was like tightrope walking in a tunnel. Camped in the Dark Meadow area and was relentlessly attacked by mosquitoes at dusk and dawn. Got a ni...
8.5 miles / 2,000 feet gained
I was inside a dripping cloud for much of this hike, but the incredible flower display more than made up for it. Florgasm!!!
15 miles / 4,750 feet gained / 2 nights
Perfect conditions for a rather leisurely climb of Middle Sis!
4.5 miles / 750 feet gained
Just love to go bushwacking on the plateaus up here. The forest is carpeted with the lovely greenery of oxalis and vanilla leaf.
7 miles / 5,250 feet gained / 1 night
Went up through the Old Chute. Steaming sulfurous fumaroles, rock and ice cleaving cliffs. Steep upper chute with sketchy footing. Intense. Felt out of shape and struggled with nausea on this trip.
3.5 miles / 500 feet gained
Multisport day- went skiing at Tline in the morning, then mushroom hunting in the afternoon
8 miles / 2,500 feet gained
Pleasant day, wildflowers looking good. Found a few morels.
10 miles / 1,000 feet gained / 1 night
Added on some mellow hiking to another Smith Climbing weekend. Still nursing a tender knee. Camped and hiked along the Deschutes at Steelhead Falls and Mecca Flat.
11 miles / 1,500 feet gained / 2 nights
Visited a new spot on the Wild and Scenic section of the fabulous John Day River Canyon. You can drive down to the Thirtymile Creek boat launch west of Condon from 4/15-11/30. Wonderful rimrock, flowers and deep canyons, it's so gorgeous down there, but starting to get too hot already. Ventured upstream to Devils Canyon. Camped at the TH, would like to come ...
14 miles / 4,250 feet gained / 1 night
Great way to enjoy Earth Day. We rambled up Coldwater Ridge, and stayed at the Ridge Camp. Had a fun evening scramble up Blastzone Butte. We summitted Coldwater then next day and then hiked out.
20 miles / 4,500 feet gained / 1 night
In the first week of March, I had the pleasure of going to the Oregon high desert twice, visiting the John Day and Deschutes rivers. The first trip was a bikepack up the Deschutes from the confluence with the Columbia River. We biked up about 11 miles, and camped at the Fall Canyon campsite. Had a nice hike up Harris Canyon to the top of the rim. The camp ha...
4.5 miles / 750 feet gained
Meant to ski up Larch Mountain road but the snow was down pretty low and road in bad condition. Plus creepy dudes in big trucks. This was plan B. Visited the cardavers, and the swans down on the lake.
8 miles / 2,500 feet gained
Cold clear day. We added on some extra fun scrambles, and checked out Little Beacon Rock.
7 miles / 500 feet gained
Beautiful day on the Klickitat River, it gets pretty wild up there. Saw quite a few eagles.
