Eagle Creek Celebratory Hike

I made a big life decision this week, so toodling around in the Gorge while Dr B. tried out his new carbon fiber Look was just about my speed. I lapped up my newly regained freedom while meandering up Eagle Creek a bit and, oddly enough, ran into my coworker and her in-laws at the bottom of lower Punchbowl Falls canyon. I felt like an omnipresent forest gnome, or some official hiking dork representative of Oregon. As long as it's not in an office. Apparently I don't like those.

I Take It Back: I Love Silver Star

Lots of well-consolidated snow, sunshine and fresh air, and views from South Sister to Rainier - can't complain about that.

Dog Mountain Spring Bloom

My plans to bike McKenzie Pass were postponed until the weather and everyone's schedules cooperate. So, while Dr B suffered up Dixie Mountain on his bike, I politely declined and headed out to do a quick and dirty training hike up Dog. The flowers are still in bloom, but I think they're on the decline. Much of the balsamroot is browning at the edges. Nevertheless, the whole meadow at the summit is dotted with color. It's a happy place, even with hundreds of weekend hikers stomping up and down.

Table Mountain Hike

Table Mountain caught me by surprise. I knew it was rated as difficult, but I didn't believe it. Heartbreak Ridge was tough, but honestly it was worse going down, even taking the more "user-friendly" west ridge down. Does this mean I'm getting old? Anyway, great day in the Gorge. I got a tad off track at the Aldrich Butte junction and added a couple miles to my hike by coming out under the powerlines and then backtracking to the resort, but overall the largely-unmarked trail is fairly intuitive. I would not do this one in bad weather at all, due to the slippery descent and steep cliffs. Still, a fun day, and a better hike than the less scenic Mount Defiance. And this should give me some preparation for Ruckel Ridge later this summer... eek!

10.5 miles, 3,561ft.

Tamanawas Falls Winter Hike

I said back in October that I wanted to come back and do this hike in the snow, so I did. It was even better than in the fall, with a couple inches of snow coating everything. The trail was easily navigable, with some fun scuttling under low-hanging branches. I used my new microspikes for the first time, and I was impressed. The snowpack was pretty firm, but I was able to travel quickly and sure-footedly. By no means did I actually need them, but it was great to speed along without worry.

First Frost of November

I really like the easy Tom, Dick and Harry Mountain hike via Mirror Lake. I'd intended to do Zigzag Mountain via Burnt Lake before the big snow comes, but the potholes past the junction with Ramona Falls were just too wide and deep. Having gotten a late start, I chose to revisit this little 6-miler just a few miles more up Highway 26 to check out the new snow and get some good photos. Now home, I actually made a healthy dinner which I'm washing down with my latest obsession: Wild Turkey American Honey. Here are some of my favorite shots from today:

Today's post is brought to you by Mount Hood Roasters in Rhododendron, who woke and warmed me up today.