MudNCrud Forums
Climbing and ... Climbing => Everywhere Else => Topic started by: Brad Young on August 15, 2016, 04:44:13 PM
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What a great final trip for the 2016 PCT season. We finished in another state. And I finished in one too.
Tuesday, August 2:
Tricia and Vicki got back from Girl Scout Camp two days before this trip's Monday departure (while there, Tricia spent eight days backpacking with her group of girls, Vicki was a camp counselor).
After that much rest time, it was probably time to take off to THE trail again. We allowed a whole day for the drive, knowing that our "success" in our endeavor is making the drive longer and longer each time (but the drive isn't as long yet as it used to be to San Diego County!). Four of us start out on this trip; 11 year old Alex has joined us again (although to all of our disappointment, Steve and Laura can't go).
From a map, Mount Ashland Campground looks like a central, perfect place to stay for our first few nights. It's very windy when we get there though and the campground is dusty and not flat. Still the views are fantastic; from our campsite one can see Mounts Shasta, Eddy, and Ashland. The interstate is visible below, and regionally significant Pilot Rock can easily be seen ten or so miles to the east (here are three morning photos):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8734/28386788573_16f6b92b5d_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8871/28386791873_0ab9470af9_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8716/28388018063_716c4e5fdd_c.jpg)
Naturally our first hike would start at Wards Fork Gap (where we left off last time). Twenty miles of dirt roads made for a slow, hour and a half drive out from camp:
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7590/28386794513_b50fb465f0_c.jpg)
The 20 mile drive parallelled and criss-crossed the PCT (they stay close all the way to Interstate 5). Since Vicki had to drive that same road back to our pick-up point, we decided that she'd wait for us periodically at crossings while we hiked. This meant that we got to hike packless:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8509/28907206752_eaacf3f0f7_c.jpg)
The Dawsons spent a lot of time hiking (and climbing) with us when Alex was young (and they do now too). I like to think that my two girls played a significant role in making him the hiking fiend that he's now become (and I've grown proud of his hiking prowess). Yet, in the sometimes strange ways of the world, helping make him and my girls become excellent hikers, means that, on most hikes, I'm relegated to one of these two views (yes, I am their leader):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8580/28971459116_c3fdb852d0_c.jpg)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7514/28384352374_5a60352833_c.jpg)
Our gentle uphill hike passed through Donomore Meadow:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8818/28927660001_b40b5331ed_c.jpg)
And then we got there. Ten years in the making. Well over half of Tricia's lifetime. Always a thought in the back of our minds. California/Oregon, the border. We entered another state:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8238/28384330194_2b750b89b9_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8787/28927661771_cb56400f91_c.jpg)
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(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8790/28971488076_961b9bd5c6_c.jpg)
Tricia did a journal entry (and we found other entries blunt and funny):
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(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8744/28717822680_8eeed68d69_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8630/28971477506_5a103aa44b_c.jpg)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7662/28971483716_ac987bd806_c.jpg)
Vicki walked down a quarter mile from the first PCT/road crossing to share this much-anticipated moment with us:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8663/28384307834_270c9c1596_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8688/28717824950_c577d99867_c.jpg)
The rest of the hike involved gentle up and downs, mostly in the open, sometimes in the forest:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8675/28927712971_ace7c68b02_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8249/28717848020_1595886e09_c.jpg)
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(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8894/28717845390_13129d7f52_c.jpg)
The open parts of the hiking gave us nice views. From the north moving clockwise/right, we saw the city of Medford:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8590/28927760661_43996ee7bc_c.jpg)
Mount McLoughlin (which we first saw from much farther south in June with it's mantel of fresh snow):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8658/28717854790_b06d53790a_c.jpg)
Mount Ashland:
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7773/28717856190_be9139ae02_c.jpg)
Mounts Shasta and Eddy (and Black Butte between them):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8811/28973250826_09915ee25c_c.jpg)
The Marble Mountains and Preston Peak:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8612/28927717541_06e4ee9170_c.jpg)
We met Vicki again at Wrangle Gap, and then again at Siskiyou Gap:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8322/28927754311_40833eb9a4_c.jpg)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7493/28384391744_206a9eff33_c.jpg)
I stopped to take photos and for another reason and the kids… they left me in the dust, a quarter of a mile behind:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8755/28927769861_b943f7a072_c.jpg)
Just past Siskiyou Gap we passed a second PCT milestone, the 1,700 mile mark (two fun points on the trail in one day!):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8369/28971552396_933fe9fc37_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8840/28384420404_ff48f6d79a_c.jpg)
Tricia seemed proud to have reached now 1,700 miles from Mexico:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8775/28384423764_624037c4ec_b.jpg)
We then met Vicki at yet another Road 20/PCT crossing to end the first day, a nice start to what may be our final trip this year:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8226/28384426054_214a5fb2f3_c.jpg)
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Pretty cool stuff. Man, Trish is still upward bound. Happy family all around
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5 year old Tricia T, wow!
So many miles!
When does Vicki get her Sainthood officially announced by the Church of the PCT?
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5 year old Tricia T, wow!
So many miles!
Oh the number of times I've said exactly that to myself ;D
When does Vicki get her Sainthood officially announced by the Church of the PCT?
There are a fair number of through-hikers out there who've already pronounced it. And, brother, I tell it on almost every mountain where we see hikers, amen.
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Wednesday, August 3:
Day two started with more wonderful, sunny weather:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8624/28932975021_dbd073f0b5_c.jpg)
An easy and pretty drive on Forest Road 20 got us back to our start point. We followed the same patterns today, Alex or Tricia in front, me (the trip leader mind you) bringing up the rear:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8620/28932976461_fac3ebe229_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8427/29009081025_149a641381_c.jpg)
One great and fun PCT tradition that has developed over many years is the bestowing of "trail-names" by hikers on hikers. Normally through-hikers give their companion hikers nicknames as they get moving on a through-hike (the named person retains veto power though).
Some time ago Alex's mom and dad sort of gave him a trail-name: "Bear Bait." It comes from his habit of being way, way out in front of the hiking group (or, occasionally, way, way behind). He's resisted the name, but it fits him. Today Tricia and I tried to convince him to accept the name. We argued that it was a highly complimentary name, that it reflected how fast and powerfully he moves on the trail (at 11 years old). He disagreed. He argued that the name symbolized nothing less than his mom and dad's willingness to abandon him if they ever faced a bear attack. Of course, this was an argument only; Alex wanted a different name (that I've forgotten) which, in violation of all the traditions of trail-names he'd picked for himself
Bear Bait, or nondescript something or other? The verdict on this one has yet to be reached.
While we hiked in the cool forest for part of the day, open, alpine, pretty sections of trail predominated ("Sound of Music hiking"):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8863/28932978751_d35d59878a_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8839/28932944591_5a280072bd_c.jpg)
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(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8869/29009090225_f58aac4b48_c.jpg)
At 6.4 miles we left the PCT to join Vicki for lunch at Mount Ashland Campground. A little over nine miles then remained, easy and gentle downhill, paralleling the road all the way to the Interstate. The trail and the road cross at one point:
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7750/28722999430_039f6c863f_c.jpg)
While crossing here I was amazed to see Tricia spontaneously do a cartwheel as she crossed the road:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8615/28932996711_013ebb9e39_c.jpg)
Of all things, there was a decorated "Christmas tree" on the other side of this crossing:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8603/28723007150_4408c1b972_c.jpg)
The views remained expansive (straight across to Pilot Rock):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8695/28933006751_10dd90472c_c.jpg)
Soon we could see the interstate:
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7684/28933009621_c8dac7fd54_c.jpg)
The trail then joins the old Highway 99 for almost a mile, "jogging" up past I-5 to an exit point where the trail becomes a trail again on its way up the northeast side of Siskiyou Summit:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8030/28392021173_f6ea3e586a_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8613/28392023163_b399e5d9d3_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8759/28976563036_23b19f8d40_c.jpg)
We waited here for quite a while for Vicki to pick us up. Her "job" on these trips isn't all "wine and roses;" she'd had a hell of time getting camp moved from Mount Ashland to Hyatt Lake, east of Ashland (finding an open campsite and figuring out how to pay for it turned out to be ridiculously difficult).
Eventually of course, she arrived. As we drove over to our new camp we happened upon a hitchhiker/through-hiker on the road not so far from our now camp at Hyatt Lake. We stopped, but we were crammed full and had little room. He didn't mind though and we squeezed him in.
As we got to know each other he quickly decided to join us in our camp (it was almost 7:00 at this point). Of course we continued talking with our new friend. Tricia asked him a question she often asks of other hikers: "what's your trail name?" To her surprise and delight, he said: "T-Bird!" By chance we'd picked up the same T-Bird who's name she'd seen (and commented about) in two trail registers already this trip (recall that T-Bird has been Tricia's trail name since it was given to her in 2013). T-Bird and T-Bird both found great fun in "sharing" a trail name:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8746/28933034141_4123f558db_c.jpg)
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Is it just me or is this the first post seen where Trisha is throwing Dio horns on her hand?
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Is it just me or is this the first post seen where Trisha is throwing Dio horns on her hand?
If I understand "Dio Horns," then yes, sort of. I asked her about the hand out, fingers extended thing and she said, "yeah, but that's from the fireflies for me." (The fireflies are the group of Girl Scout backpackers that she spent eight apparently really cool days with just before this trip.)
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If I understand "Dio Horns," then yes, sort of. I asked her about the hand out, fingers extended thing and she said, "yeah, but that's from the fireflies for me." (The fireflies are the group of Girl Scout backpackers that she spent eight apparently really cool days with just before this trip.)
Ha ha ha very nice Brad. Hope to see you fall time for a rope and laugh
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Ha ha ha very nice Brad. Hope to see you fall time for a rope and laugh
I accept.
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Thursday, August 4:
Our third day was supposed to be 10 degrees hotter than the first two. And our hike started relatively low, stayed in the sun, and climbed for its first third. But we had to get up off of the interstate, so off we went:
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The highlight of today's hike would be passing Pilot Rock. This "beacon" is visible from far away; it was a significant way-point for early settlers coming to this part of Oregon. And it was a bit of a beacon for us too; we'd seen it for much of the two days we'd hiked so far:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8390/28396183223_c737f2caa3_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8044/28908254842_6c12d75d1d_c.jpg)
Approaching the rock I naturally wondered whether there were climbing routes on it (there are). I also wondered how a non-technical route could go to the top (one does, but it doesn't look possible):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8277/28908262052_28ba216a66_c.jpg)
Tricia and Alex continued singing their trail songs (like the song "Three Chartreuse Buzzards," which Tricia had just picked up with the Girl Scouts; I think I've heard that one enough). They called out different PCT signs, identifying them by their style and age (this one is "ancient"):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8127/28396188003_1c82e9bc95_c.jpg)
The rest of the hike after Pilot Rock was gentle, but quite a bit of it was in open and hot terrain (the forest hiking was much cooler):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8787/28908262922_46474283b1_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8438/28908263782_e30b898dfc_c.jpg)
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(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8662/28908265102_64f5857de3_c.jpg)
The views into the town of Ashland made us realize how far we move day by day (although it doesn't seem so as we're doing the hiking):
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7521/28393408594_a63bf7bde5_c.jpg)
A piped spring of cool water provided a nice break near Little Pilot Pond (glad we didn't have to drink from the pond):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8058/29013170695_fd7b4770b2_c.jpg)
The hike turned truly hot as we started our gradual descent to Green Springs Summit on Highway 66:
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(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7572/28937120311_f62c8c2a85_c.jpg)
Vicki was waiting for us there:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8300/29013183645_b76c919d01_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8112/29013186405_4f6b7cfff0_c.jpg)
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A short drive took us back to our camp at Hyatt Lake. Once there the kids asked to go play in the lake and to swim (as if almost 17 miles of hiking wasn't enough). The answer was, of course, "yes;" I figured that they'd cool off and be right back to camp. No, actually, I had to walk down and insist that they come up to dinner 1 1/2 hours later! (Ah to have that much energy again!).
And finally a word about boys. I was one once. But I guess I've forgotten those years. I've got two daughters. I like them. I've enjoyed raising them. But they are girls. Alex is a boy. He may well be the closest thing I'll ever have to a son. This trip is the longest trip that he's taken with us without his mom and dad. And so I had to be more involved in caring for him than on prior trips where he's joined us.
Man oh man did I learn a lot about "raising" boys. Start with this fact: they/he don't seem to care at all about being really dirty (at all, really dirty; my girls don't care that much about being dirty, but they care some!):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8112/28393369154_a73f927293_c.jpg)
(And, in case it isn't clear, he was a joy to have along and we'll take him again in a heartbeat if he hasn't been gotten by a bear by then.)
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Friday, August 5:
We were back to better temperatures today and Vicki got us back to the trail fairly early. She joined the "touch the PCT sign" game that Katie started oh-so-many years ago (and that Tricia and now Alex have picked up to play occasionally):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8133/28398638503_d1b402c7c6_c.jpg)
A fairly new part of the PCT makes a gentle circle around Green Springs Mountain and Hyatt Meadow (adding two miles to the hike to avoid hiking next to a dirt road?):
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The longer loop certainly lets a hiker look straight down into Ashland:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8484/28395747034_9f0404dd51_c.jpg)
Today's entertainment included the "bash everything you pass with a stick" game (started by the boy, definitely a boy's game). I imposed one rule on their play - no bashing and no loud noise any time we were near other hikers:
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And there were other hikers. Our place on the trail, combined with the time of year that we are there, means that we're seeing lots and lots of through and section hikers. Today we saw more than any day yet. Here's a bunch (including some of us) working around a fallen log):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8309/28395749334_616f74ef68_c.jpg)
We passed through the north end of Hyatt Meadow:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8262/28983119696_928c5c6f19_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8319/28729770820_5463f40f42_c.jpg)
More of the large, carefully arranged rock cairns marked this part of the trail:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8511/28729772400_f15cab03a2_c.jpg)
Little Hyatt Reservoir was overflowing:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8021/28729773590_7924eb4125_c.jpg)
And at just over seven miles into the hike we passed our campground. We ducked in there to have lunch with Vicki.
After lunch we set off on another nine miles of almost pure "forest marching." We make distance toward our eventual goal this way, but the hiking isn't highly inspiring and we've got to take our fun where we find it. Like this burnt out snag, which my ever-inventive child immediately called "The Eye of Sauron:"
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(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8818/28729776480_37363bcb77_c.jpg)
We soon arrived near Howard Prairie Reservoir:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8108/28983139446_b0f83e5975_c.jpg)
We crossed its outlet stream and made our way another mile and a half to Keno Access Road (what's with the name - is there a casino hidden in the forest nearby?):
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(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8687/28910847752_12afeeeec6_c.jpg)
The highlight of the day, at least from a "majestic view" standpoint, came on the drive back to camp. At one point, while driving along the reservoir, we got this clear view of Mount McLoughlin which we first saw on the far horizon while in California and are now about to pass and climb.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8423/28910849972_71d64537eb_c.jpg)
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One burnt out snag to rule them all!
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I'm disappointed that there are no pics of Pilot Rock close up, no mention of the rock type and no one climbing it ::) :P :yikes: :ihih: Was the non technical route on it named High Lee and Unlike Lee?
Great report so far.
Nice fanny pack.
The best part is Tricia's shirt - Agent Orange approves 8)
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We finished in another state. And I finished in one too.
I want to see disheveled pics of the last part of this statement :biggrin:
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Pilot Rock.
I looked it up and it is Basalt columns.
Apparently a volcanic neck.
I found a youtube vid of the scramble.
Hideously detailed GoPro footage.
I'll spare everyone and not post the link.
Bottom line is it looks super easy.
3rd class at most.
Who could resist such Crud?
After all, it is the Summer of Mud ::) :D :ihih:
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Who could resist such Crud?
We did. We had miles to go before we slept.
And besides, there's only one real Mud; who wants to play with substitutes?
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We did. We had miles to go before we slept.
And besides, there's only one real Mud; who wants to play with substitutes?
Understood.
And...Not I said the little red mud hen ::)
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Saturday, August 6:
Today we did a quick and easy hike. The just over nine miles from Keno Access Road to Dead Indian Road were easy, but more importantly, they were quick. And quick mattered since, after hiking, we needed to drive into Medford to stay the night near the airport for Alex's early flight home to his parents in San Jose.
This walk was true "forest marching." We also violated our tradition of trashing our friend Sharon with a long or hard walk on her first day with us (she'd joined us in camp last night):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8332/28928432542_54b3e133aa_c.jpg)
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We took only two breaks, but Tricia apparently found the first one somewhat entertaining:
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(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8426/29033681185_c036948a39_c.jpg)
One rare break in the forest allowed a view of Shasta from way north (the view came on the shoulder of a peak called "Old Baldy"):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8718/29033694645_3ed2758423_c.jpg)
Little things like National Forest boundaries and such provide the only way-points in this type of deep forest hiking (shown here with two resting through-hikers who'd we'd been passing and passed by since early on day two):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8338/29033698485_cd2e4f2e4a_c.jpg)
More forest marching led quickly to our pick-up point and Vicki, and we were done for the day:
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(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8150/28747482510_bc065f09f3_c.jpg)
We ended the day by checking out our next camping and pick-up points and then seeing even more of Oregon while making the surprisingly easy drive into Medford.
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Dirty Alex. Love it! He's fast and quick enough to get away from a bear.
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Dirty Alex. Love it! He's fast and quick enough to get away from a bear.
YES! You get it. Tell him that next time you see him!
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Sunday, August 7:
Between getting Alex on his flight and the drive back up into the mountains, we didn't arrive back at the PCT until after 1:00. But that's OK, we'd only planned an 11.8 mile hike from Dead Indian Memorial Road to Highway 140.
I thought this hike would end up being another "forest march." Some of it was, but it was fun and satisfying, and the last two thirds were more of a "lava march" instead.
Less than two miles in we came to the trail junction that leads left 300 feet to the South Brown Mountain Shelter. At the junction we were amazed (and then, after we read it, pleased) to see this huge banner hanging from a tree (pleased, as in, come on, we just left a long, straight stretch of paved road - can't a pipeline, if one is really even needed, be run near the road instead of two miles into an otherwise undisturbed forest?):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8368/28749179910_8cacc082c4_c.jpg)
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(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8191/29002187266_715d1e523d_c.jpg)
There was a full-on kiosk with information about the proposed pipeline too; I was mighty pleased that Tricia was interested enough to read it all (she caught up with us ten minutes later):
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(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8525/29002188516_b861216f72_c.jpg)
The nearby shelter is used mostly in winter for cross country skiers, but it has a pump and unlimited water (in a fairly dry stretch of trail):
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(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8030/29002192006_d572544f76_c.jpg)
After four miles in forest we started circling Brown Mountain, an old volcano. Huge lava talus fields alternated with forest:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8129/29002195066_9cf031c08a_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8114/28417909163_ba7c72c7e2_c.jpg)
The trail construction across these lava fields was interesting; built, level trails with small rocks and dirt to make them more "foot-friendly" (imagine trying to boulder hop quarter and half-mile sections of this kind of talus):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8194/28749217910_af11b730d1_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8459/28930157432_9f0cc0524e_c.jpg)
There were only a few fallen trees on this stretch of trail. One in particular required us to climb over it (class four!):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8351/29002197246_5856d78646_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8228/28417916293_b335613c19_c.jpg)
One hundred yards after this tree crossing, we encountered two horse-men stopped dead on the trail. Some people think that riding the trail is easier than hiking. I've never agreed with this view. Between tending to the horses and a limited ability to move across country, horse riding in the back-country has never really interested me. And I've never seen my bias more starkly illustrated than here at this fallen log. As we passed the horse-men, they were trying to decide what to do; the log was an absolute barrier to the horses, but so too were the lava talus fields, which extended way, way out on each side of the trail. We never did learn what they did or how they did it.
The highlight of the day came near the end of the hike. We came around a corner to a "holy crap it's right there" view of Mount McLoughlin:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8002/28930159742_df4b90d7c5_c.jpg)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7512/29002223586_11c3c870b7_c.jpg)
Soon we ran into Vicki on the trail; she'd come out to meet us:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8306/28930168792_ef1543acf4_c.jpg)
Shortly we arrived at Highway 140 and the end of Oregon's PCT Section "B:"
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8046/28930170862_3175c6db4d_c.jpg)
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Monday and Tuesday, August 8 and 9:
The PCT passes Mount McLoughlin to its east, three miles from the summit. There's a trail to the top, and the PCT guidebook highly recommends it as a side trip. And Tricia really wanted to do this summit (me too). We'd been looking at McLoughlin since June, and it sure seemed like the highest thing in far southern Oregon.
But starting from Highway 140, summiting, and then continuing to a PCT exit/side-trail to Fourmile Lake seemed like a bone-crushing type day. So we decided to do the hike to Fourmile Lake (spelled correctly) one day and then summit McLoughlin the next. The two days' paths would cross, sharing half a mile along the way.
The hike to Fourmile was definitely forest marching:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8084/28417464254_6f66a076b7_c.jpg)
We gained 1,200 feet of elevation, but that wasn't the hard part. The hard part of this hike was the incredible number of downed trees. And some of them quite complex, almost as if designed to slow a determined hiker:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8791/28932984872_458f1b6883_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8027/28932984292_f93a2d3473_c.jpg)
We took one break and got one view through the forest of this impressive peak:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8388/28932985412_d1be47874c_c.jpg)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7473/28417462894_1ff2afb989_c.jpg)
Then we exited the PCT. Heading to Fourmile Lake we passed Squaw Lake, which I found to be typical of the area: large and utterly surrounded by forest:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8478/28417466394_545a707a38_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8408/28417465304_578d68b946_c.jpg)
We camped that night again with Vicki.
Sharon's knees begged out of the McLoughlin ascent the next day (in retrospect, a really, really good decision). Tricia and I got our usual, leisurely, late-morning start. We were surprised at the trailhead by the severe-seeming warnings at the trail-start kiosk:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8329/29004848326_a47c683616_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8378/29004845476_c0559d19ed_c.jpg)
Apparently is is very common for people to get sucked into the "easy" looking descent off this peak, and then to be way off trail out in forest and lost. Being new to the area, we payed attention to the warnings (and I could see on our descent how the wrong way looks "right").
On our ascent, forest hiking turned to uphill forest hiking, turned to steep uphill forest hiking:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8074/29004897206_da664cf86a_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8327/29004850726_072cd355c5_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8269/28962231061_cc46587080_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8150/28420549083_58d859ab4d_c.jpg)
Slowly the views got good. We saw Upper Klamath Reservoir from quite a distance:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8834/28420582563_85c7e7db49_c.jpg)
Fourmile Lake and the relatively flat area the PCT traverses near it:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8259/28420584023_a4bf30772e_c.jpg)
Brown Mountain, which we'd traversed on the trail two days ago (the PCT goes along the right side of the mountain in this photo):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8262/28751747200_ea93b6313e_c.jpg)
And we had this view of Hyatt and Howard Prairie Lakes, Pilot Rock and Mount Ashland, and all of the country the PCT goes through for about 40 miles (the rock and the mountain are harder to make out in this photo than they were while we were there):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8705/28751746340_21e1a2f286_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8112/28417333684_f3a4ea28cc_c.jpg)
We started to emerge above tree-line:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8526/28751745620_3fd03fedaa_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8527/28751748000_2fa0c6183c_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8520/28751748450_c7f447a8b7_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8266/28962238231_04ba05fb95_c.jpg)
The summit is fairly small, and the views are 360 degrees:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8285/28417331554_cba6ba501b_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8750/28420575363_d1d36c7113_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8741/28420578253_dfbfc3f110_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8050/28420581213_3cbe7df028_c.jpg)
The descent came next:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8253/28420585583_423f35fa77_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8872/29004887876_6c86a3eb79_c.jpg)
I took this glory shot of Tricia on a protruding gendarme:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8268/28420590503_8dd4331a5e_c.jpg)
Once back on the PCT part of today's hike we contributed a little tiny bit to trail maintenance. I had a small, foldable saw with us in the car, and I'd brought it today. We cleared one (one!) of the medium-size trees that blocked the trail. The tree was still green, and our tool was too small. It took half an hour to move this one blockage (tomorrow's photos and text will make it even more clear that the Sky Lakes Wilderness desperately needs a trail crew for 40 or so miles of PCT that is horribly, horribly blocked by downed trees):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8729/28420593333_fe77b58d85_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8010/29038090325_51cfd19304_c.jpg)
We ended this satisfying day with a campfire (and smores; Tricia still loves to make and eat them, and I sure appreciate the ones she makes for me too):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8503/29038122685_615a40f428_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8580/29038124235_0b853045c4_c.jpg)
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Wednesday, August 10:
Back on the PCT today. We started with the easy hike over from Fourmile Lake. Tricia found the local flora amusing:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8335/28933626172_b33ebb627d_c.jpg)
Forest marching predominated:
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7752/28752591220_494527e315_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8283/28752591720_6c6b8e6b66_c.jpg)
We got some views though, including Fourmile Lake, and Mount McLoughlin, "in the rear view mirror:"
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8522/28421367823_77cbbf6446_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8137/28421368973_970508f5db_c.jpg)
We were into hot weather again and we took plenty of water:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8154/29005766076_cb5c70404c_c.jpg)
Downed trees were still a problem. In fact, Tricia and Sharon started counting them just for amusement. We defined them first ("downed trees" are any that affect a normal hiking gait). Between Highway 140 and the south edge of Crater Lake National Park there are about 800 downed trees.
This example was easy to work around (other photos in later days will show - again - more massive messes that were a lot harder to pass):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8335/28752592030_d06e08fabe_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8200/28752592380_2db1a2fecd_c.jpg)
We finished today by again hiking off the PCT to meet and spend the night with Vicki. In this case we hiked out to Cold Springs Trailhead (chased, for the first time on this trip, by mosquitos).
Another good day with fine progress north through Oregon.
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Nice. Thank GOD someone has an orange shirt on again.
I was starting to worry.
All this talk of marching makes me glad I was not pressed into service.
Sorry but I caught a typo on the next to the last caption for the 10th and sent you an email regarding the 8th and 9th.
Tricia and Sharon started counting them must for amusement. mostly?
sincerely,
your editor
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Tell Tricia the green whiskers go nicely with her shirt :biggrin:
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Well, that was interesting. The dogs were going bananas on the back deck. Tricia went out to shush them and, it turns out, we had a bear walking across our back yard.
I think the photo issue is corrected. And I'll likely be able to finish the rest of the report this very evening.
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Thursday, August 11:
Although today started with forest marching back to the PCT, and then some forest marching along it, most of the day wasn't that. Most of this day's hiking was in terrain that allowed nice views (sometimes really spectacular views) and which kept us in the breeze. This was a really great hike.
I started early, with a sunrise on the west shore of Upper Klamath Lake (we were camped there because it was a nice, central location). Soon everyone else was up and we were back to Cold Springs Trailhead (and Vicki was ready to give us some preventative mosquito spraying this time):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8118/29013634896_c02305ecc9_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8423/29013637916_e1b1fa9c10_c.jpg)
The dogs highly approved of today's return hike to the PCT; it went right by Deer Lake (lake - whatever else is in the name, it's the lake part they like):
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7524/28941323352_ff9e3fc52f_c.jpg)
Views and more open terrain started quickly (first photo is down to Upper Klamath Lake):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8760/28970620551_8c6a2574c1_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8657/28970622731_1f3061cf4a_c.jpg)
We got high enough to actually see some of the lakes that give Sky Lakes Wilderness its name:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8516/28941334962_88ed038bc7_c.jpg)
Luther Mountain:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8137/28970634651_d2c391fd90_c.jpg)
Looking at the next five miles of trail across Devils Peak and Lucifer:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8325/28941343382_86ce18ef0c_c.jpg)
Open hilltops and ridges on Shale Butte gave vistas all around (including Mount McLoughlin from well to the north):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8370/28970643121_c2b9fb2abc_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8772/28970645441_13f1003ae1_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8015/29046781565_c155d9f9a7_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8017/28970655011_025d739243_c.jpg)
We got a great view of sharp, distinct Mount Thiesen, which is north of Crater Lake National Park:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8177/28970667571_a35ac2c92d_c.jpg)
Devils Peak is a real mountain (not a forested hill). Passing its east side put us over 7,000 feet elevation again for short time:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8858/28970672831_da005267bf_c.jpg)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7787/28970669221_0425a9a927_c.jpg)
We ended a long stretch without water among a series of nice creeks north of Devils Peak:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8002/28970675051_404d605de4_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8443/28970676991_b142419731_c.jpg)
And then, just before today's exit point, we crossed the fourth "hundred mile point" of this summer:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8113/29046804205_2205209c22_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8388/28970680041_b7a09df23a_c.jpg)
We took the Sevenmile Marsh Trail out to meet Vicki (despite its name, Sevenmile Marsh Trailhead had nowhere near the number of mosquitos that Cold springs Trailhead had):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8078/28760526710_d596f07a6a_c.jpg)
But poor Tricia was still suffering the effects of yesterday's mosquitos this afternoon. Both girls seem to have inherited my long legs, which, I think, is good for them. Unfortunately, Tricia did not inherit my relative immunity to the itchy nastiness of bug and mosquito bites; she is instead as sensitive to them as her mother (my "princess and the pea" little beauty):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8514/28941386302_3614d0a110_c.jpg)
And a nice sunset then capped off this, our second to last hiking day of a massively successful summer:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8383/28970689181_8bd34317ee_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8559/28428949753_e0c1c54da3_c.jpg)
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I didn't see anything about the bees/wasps? Seems like it would be story worthy
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That is a great sunset.
Did you ask that frog if his arse was water tight? ::) :out:
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I didn't see anything about the bees/wasps? Seems like it would be story worthy
Yes, you are right and I will tell that story too ;)
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That is a great sunset.
Did you ask that frog if his arse was water tight? ::) :out:
That's not a frog, it's a toad. You of all people should recognize that :P
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Friday and Saturday, August 12 and 13:
We finally just had to take a rest day on Friday. We were "ahead" of "schedule" for what we'd hoped to get done this trip. Tricia and Sharon had hoped to take kayaks out on the lake but we hadn't had enough time during any afternoon yet, and I was just tired and sore.
So we rested:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8091/29056587445_090e44c91f_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8061/28435511374_7076f8011f_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8029/29013721376_75b71d22c9_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8092/28970694021_f2f1d7f200_c.jpg)
Sharon couldn't join us on Saturday (she'd had to head homeward). The dogs took a second rest day; they'd been hiking barefoot for well over 100 miles and weren't allowed in the back country of a National Park anyway. So our last day, 18.4 miles of hiking, was just me and "T-Bird:"
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8556/28769792520_b3dd45b42a_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8068/28769793490_5fff38fc62_c.jpg)
More log-jams today slowed us almost right up to the Crater Lake border:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8067/28769794790_1c35a82bf9_c.jpg)
The hill/rock formation Lone Wolf was visible to us because of a previous fire (one wonders if the area was less forested - and more visible - a hundred or so years ago when geographic features were first named?):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8281/28769800130_82eb359846_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8188/28769801280_3ddf4db2d6_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8157/28769802890_ae1be86751_c.jpg)
We viewed Union Peak from a distance. This old volcanic plug is two miles west of today's end-point, and was an encouraging waypoint all day:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8225/29023381186_18ac12fbd5_c.jpg)
Mount Thielsen again (can't wait to get up close to this one next June):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8302/29023386136_e22ec2a310_c.jpg)
And then we made it to the border of the National Park; Crater Lake (shown here without the lake - yet):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8528/28980013921_2aec1519df_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8038/28980017131_7ba465d273_c.jpg)
More miles through the forest were flat and easy:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8095/28980018221_8defbd1feb_c.jpg)
After not-so-long, the forest cleared out, we saw the highway, and we'd made it.
Highway 62 had been a kind of "maybe" since spring. I hate to have hard and fast goals on trips like this. Better to go for it with energy, get what can be done done when it's fun and see where it ends. But on this trip, plans coincided perfectly with what we got done. This was pretty pleasing:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8312/28980019211_25a8e4004f_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8257/28980021311_2083734f21_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8026/29023398736_31565bd355_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8161/28769823530_f20fd47e0c_c.jpg)
And that's it. The summer's statistics are fun, and deserve to be recounted: during the summer of 2016 we hiked 350.0 miles actually on the PCT and over 50 more on side hikes or in getting to the trail itself. We're now at trail mile 1,818.4 out of 2,650.1 total miles. So, over the ten years we've been doing the trail we've averaged just over 181 miles each year.
We've made it to Oregon. We're in another state now. We've hiked over one quarter of the PCT in that other state.
What a fantastic summer!
Which brings me to my own "other state." We've been home several days now and I'm still so damn pleased with what we got done and with how much fun we had. Yet I'm also in withdrawal. It's "up and down time."
There isn't likely to be any more PCT for us again for ten long months. I was completely jazzed on our last two days when Tricia started talking about "next summer," and how we'll likely pass the 2,000 mile mark. Ten months seems like forever right now.
We need to get back into a school routine (she starts high school in less than 10 days). I need to get caught up at work. This huge summer, with its days and days of outdoor family time, its fun, and energy and spontaneity is done. We will, however do all the other outdoor things we do, we'll remember this summer fondly, and we'll no doubt be ready next year to get after it again.
Hey! Maybe I should think about becoming a rock climber again ;)
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I toad you so!
and this is the real TreeBeard
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8335/28933626172_b33ebb627d_c.jpg)
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Whoo Hooo! Congratulations.
But, if you had 18.4 miles to hike, why are you on the 7 mile trail?
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Whoo Hooo! Congratulations.
But, if you had 18.4 miles to hike, why are you on the 7 mile trail?
We're math-challenged?
There are a lot of names up in that area like that. Fourmile Lake, Sevenmile Marsh. And others. They're all spelled as one word. Odd.
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Well the other state was not what I anticipated.
Congratulations on another job well done.
I have to wonder if you two will just get to the point that you decide to complete this journey as through hikers.
By the way, did you ask that duck if his arse was water tight or was it a goose? ::) ::) ::)
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I've got to tell one more story about Alex on this trip (although I've got no photos to illustrate it).
On our fourth day, as related in the main report, Alex and Tricia both carried sticks and, for entertainment they popped and pounded on branches and leaves and such as they hiked.
At one point three miles into in the day, Alex hit several large, dead trees alongside the trail. A moment later, Tricia got stung on her leg. She cried out and I bent over to check out what had happened. Within a second I got stung too. I yelled “run!” and we get out of the area fast. The stings were very painful (I think they’re from yellow jackets).
As we moved away, I talked to Alex about the number of hikers that must have passed by this point without disturbing yellow jackets. I explain that he probably hit just the wrong log and disturbed their nest, getting both of us stung.
Later in the day, over near Howard Prairie Lake, Alex pounded other dead logs and managed to disturb another yellow jacket nest. This time Alex got stung. We moved quickly away from this site too.
This time I started a discussion with Alex about “the scientific method.” He'd heard of it of course (he's about to start sixth grade). He and I formed a hypothesis that his pounding on dead trees is what has disturbed yellow jackets twice. A second part of the hypothesis is that his pounding on dead logs is what's gotten all three of us stung. Alex gets it (he's a pretty damn smart kid). He agrees that we've formed a strong hypothesis.
The next part of the discussion is what will always stay with me. I asked Alex whether he wanted to test the hypothesis again. His eyes got big, the light clicked on, he threw his stick way off to the side and he said: "NO!" I couldn't help laughing. He's a great kid ;D
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Empirical evidence!
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Hey! Maybe I should think about becoming a rock climber again ;)
Well that was a complete fiasco. I went out today to beat myself up on cracks (to start getting back into climbing shape).
Uhhm, no.
- I thought temps would be reasonable at 6,200 feet. They weren't;
- I didn't think about yellow jackets. They were everywhere we tried to climb, and Vicki got stung;
- The cracks I wanted to climb are terribly crystally inside - they really have to be climbed with tape. I'd used the last of mine last time out and had not replaced it (so I had none);
- We switched over to a few slab routes on a different crag nearby. But I'd brought the rack and forgotten quickdraws.
So I did some reconnoitering and then got in one measly 5.8 R slab route. We bailed early.
But you know what? Being out there felt good and right! I felt like I should be climbing again.
It's gonna be a great few months until Pinns season (and then another great Pinns season!!).
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But you know what? Being out there felt good and right! I felt like I should be climbing again.
You can't help it, you're a climber.
It's gonna be a great few months until Pinns season (and then another great Pinns season!!).
Don't tell Captain Kook. >:D
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Well that was a complete fiasco. I went out today to beat myself up on cracks (to start getting back into climbing shape).
Uhhm, no.
- I thought temps would be reasonable at 6,200 feet. They weren't;
- I didn't think about yellow jackets. They were everywhere we tried to climb, and Vicki got stung;
- The cracks I wanted to climb are terribly crystally inside - they really have to be climbed with tape. I'd used the last of mine last time out and had not replaced it (so I had none);
- We switched over to a few slab routes on a different crag nearby. But I'd brought the rack and forgotten quickdraws.
So I did some reconnoitering and then got in one measly 5.8 R slab route. We bailed early.
But you know what? Being out there felt good and right! I felt like I should be climbing again.
It's gonna be a great few months until Pinns season (and then another great Pinns season!!).
Funny story.
Too bad it doesn't make up for the fact that you are a fair weather Pinhead :lol:
That is one more measly climb than I or probably anyone else got in today so stop sniveling. :crying: :prrr:
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Funny story.
Too bad it doesn't make up for the fact that you are a fair weather Pinhead :lol:
That is one more measly climb than I or probably anyone else got in today so stop sniveling. :crying: :prrr:
The heat's gone to your head (pin). It's Pinnhead in that context. Pinn as in Pinnacles.
And, for a sniveling encore, since I'm the boss and I make the rules at work, I get credit for having worked a full day today, even though I was out climbing. My secretary texted me with some fantastic news and by reading the text I worked a full day (and, although I should fire her for contacting me while I'm climbing, the news really was good and I'll excuse her this time - I have to or I won't be able to keep my climbing lists and guidebooks current) >:D
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I spelled it that way on porpoise. ::)
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And, the natural end of a great summer (we knew it was coming). First day of high school (doesn't she clean up well):
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7655/29094823192_114b0fca5a_c.jpg)
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All those poor broken hearted boys :crazy: :crying: :smilewinkgrin:
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Since the last photos on this thread are of Tricia in a dress, it seems the prom photos might best fit here too.
Vicki helping her get ready:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4183/34256903130_a4b8bb7847_c.jpg)
Tricia, ready for prom, in her prom dress (both made by Vicki, BTW):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4189/34256908430_b4a8428c0f_c.jpg)
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Our little baby's all grows up
She's all grows up and she's all grows up and she's all grows up :thumbup: :biggrin: :yesnod:
Nice job on the dress Salsa :thumbup: :biggrin: :biggrin:
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Bravo!!!
Even if it's Oregon.
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Since the last photos on this thread are of Tricia in a dress,
Brad in a kilt next?
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Well we’re off tomorrow for what might be our first PCT hiking of the new season. “Might be” is the right phrase too; past and present weather conditions are gonna make this an interesting trip.
In making plans, I assumed that the trail near Crater Lake would be at least mostly snow-free by this late in the spring. Certainly our ground here in the Sierra is very snow-free up to over 7,000 feet. And the first 30 miles beyond our last end point are lower than 6,500 feet elevation. Plus it’s June.
Not so fast though. Everything I’ve been able to find about the PCT through Crater Lake National Park shows that there is still snow over most (maybe even all) of the trail. So?
So we go anyway and see what (if anything) we can get done. We’re taking snowshoes, all-weather gear and backpacking equipment. Maybe we’ll hike some. Maybe we’ll backpack on snowshoes instead. Or, maybe we’ll end up calling it a reconnaissance of the area and retreating to the Oregon coast, or to lower elevations at least. Either way, we’re off for some family fun….
(And when we’re done we’ll drive down to U.C.S.B. for Katie’s college graduation; where the hell did those four years go!?)
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Please be cautious of stream crossings going over snow in the Spring time.
Have fun!
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Please be cautious of stream crossings going over snow in the Spring time.
Have fun!
Snow walking concerns me. But we'll have almost no stream crossings. The next many, many miles of the trail are on a shallow but distinctive crest. It's very level hiking and no creek crossings.
So, careful for sure. And hey, I'll be traveling with two of my favorite people in the world. Fun's inevitable.
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Have a great hike!
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Good luck and enjoy the hiking!!
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HAHAHAHAHA. Hah Hah Hah Hah. Geeeee-sssus.
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ten feet of snow?
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HAHAHAHAHA. Hah Hah Hah Hah. Geeeee-sssus.
At least it didn't go "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. [KER-THUNK!]"
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Thirty degrees out with light snow flurries upon arrival at Crater Lake/PCT. Two to six feet of snow still on the ground. The snowshoes worked great. The only problem was, on our test walk, at a point 1/4 mile from the road, we could not tell if we were even within 100 yards of the trail. Flat, heavily forested terrain with no waypoints, and no signs. Rather than using maps and compass for 27 miles of that terrain (with gear for three days), we bailed on the PCT. Now enjoying the Oregon coast.
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thought that might be the case.
Tillamook Tour? Rogue River?
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It's sunny and warm in Mendocino. Just a little breezy.
UCSB graduation??? Wow!
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Kick back and do some reading. You might be able to find Desperate Passage or Alive at a used book store. They are stories of group snow camping and hiking.
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Kick back and do some reading.
Um...last time I checked they don't need any encouragement to do any reading.
Have you met them? :lol:
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Donner party, paging the Donner party.
In all non seriousness, friends do not let friends snowshoe.
So yesterday.
Chilling on the north coast, with a good glass of wine is the best recommendation.
Or with beer.
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Crater Lake overlook is about 800 feet higher in elevation than the PCT where the trail crosses Highway 62. It was windy, cold and exposed (note the spindrift):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4281/34430161594_6091914f4a_c.jpg)
The trail wasn't much better; parking at the PCT highway-crossing was cold but not as windy or exposed:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4264/35143800681_93598a8332_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4251/35143802971_48a544f839_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4195/35107473392_e6be158b08_c.jpg)
The snowshoeing was easy, but after walking 1/4 mile we had no confidence that we could find the trail over the course of 27 miles to the next pickup point (walking in the featureless, mostly flat forest made us feel like ants walking in a field of grass):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4213/34464364533_aeb3366756_c.jpg)
So we bailed and we're hoping that enough snow has melted three weeks from now that we can do this hike. We'll be watching the National Weather Service Report daily; we also learned that the most reliable web-cam on the Park Service site shows just about the same conditions as are on the trail two miles away (so we'll be watching that too).
Meanwhile the Oregon coast isn't so bad. We found a great little restaurant for lunch and tomorrow we'll cross back into California and check out Prairie Creek Redwoods State and Redwoods National Parks. Then we'll try for the Humboldt County highpoint on Wednesday (50/50 on us being able to get in on the approach road).
Now, back to our reading ;)
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the Humboldt County highpoint
I hear they are allover the entire county.
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I hear they are all over the entire county.
I think that is a different kind of high point Scooby.
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Warm, at what I think is mile 232 of the PCT.
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The thread has "in another state" as half the title.
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The thread has "in another state" as half the title.
Yes...but you know darn well it was not induced by chemical amusement aid :lol:
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I bet Brad belts out a John Denver song in jubilation at those highpoints.
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Best to get back into cali. Oregon can be a bit scary.
Still snug and warm on the north coast.
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I do agree snow shoeing is sooooo yesterday. Skinning is the new Orange.
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Consolation prize: Salmon Mountain, the high point of Humboldt County, California:
Bivy at the trailhead:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4269/35198640591_9e2e7bbb99_c.jpg)
Salmon Mountain in the evening light:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4269/34484785564_3ef3a3d8e7_c.jpg)
An easy and viewful hike:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4239/35198644031_b0ca6a32c1_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4285/34484803654_46a52e0bbd_c.jpg)
Mount Shasta from the west:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4245/35198653921_b66bb5c674_c.jpg)
On the summit:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4250/35161705372_916f8c9178_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4288/35161713082_342ab9401a_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4263/35288602306_0d80240296_c.jpg)
And finally, here's a shot I call "Tuna on Salmon Mountain:"
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4280/35288606426_cc78f7bb41_c.jpg)
To our beloved trail, the PCT: We'll be back....
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Tuna on Salmon Mountain
Sorry Charlie.
Starkist wants tuna that tastes good, not tuna with good taste :lol:
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At the end of this week Tricia finishes with Band Camp (she loves her trumpet and playing in the high school band). Once she gets home we’ll make the long drive again to try some hiking. Conditions look good for success this time.
Among other things, our reconnaissance three weeks ago showed us that the webcam at Crater Lake’s lower Visitors Center shows just about the same conditions as are on the PCT, two miles away. And this webcam’s view just keeps looking better and better.
So, here’s hoping….
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^^^
This one time...at band camp...
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Success (at least for the first 18 miles)!!!
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Nice, glad things are opened up.