I had a permit and plan to hike Mt Jefferson Wilderness yesterday, but the are was closed due to the Bingham Fire and a refund returned for permit. Tuesday’s Ridgeline hike showed all the smoke in Cascade foothills, and a … Read More
A couple of days to hike later in October than normal with hot and sunny weather … the decision on where to hike and in what order had to comprehend all the wildfires still burning in both the Willamette and … Read More
Finally the weather broke a bit and a marine layer of cooler, wetter air came into the lower Willamette Valley. – not bad for an Aug 13 after so many too hot days and too many fires. I picked a … Read More
Yocum Ridge was a new hike for me, sort of. I had tried to hike the ridge either last year or year before but blowdowns were extreme and caught me at wrong time – I never went up to the … Read More
From Ramona Falls TH, McNeil Point is a tough hike from 2,300 ft elevation to 6,800 in less than 10 miles. This hike I did before, yet this week I hiked the point twice: first straight up from Ramona Falls … Read More
As the Oregon wild fires rage on at the end of July 2024, hiking safely becomes more and more challenging. Add to those conditions my push for carbon karma ratios of 1 hour driving : 3 hours hiking, and finding … Read More
As the OR fire season rages on at the end of July, hiking gets increasingly challenging to find smoke-less trails. A recent article in Salem’s newspaper demonstrates how widespread the fire impacts are closing the woods. The busted backpacking trip … Read More
After Monday’s walk thru 3-Finger Jack’s burns, time in a green, vibrant forest seemed the right call – as well as staying close-in to both avoid fire smoke and burn as little carbon as possible (car) to a trailhead. The … Read More
Reminder: clicking on round edge images opens up 90% resolution photos for better content This week was supposed to be a backpacking week – initially, Sky Lake Wilderness PCT section in Southern OR. An early heavy fire season changed those … Read More
As part of the Mt Hood SE side ramble, the last day’s hike from Elk Meadows to Newton Creek and then up to Timberline trail was the best hike of the week. I started before 5:00 from the trailhead with … Read More
