Three hikes were considered within 1 hour drive, Alpine, Hardesty and King-Castle. Weather being same, key choice lever was Alpine’s south-facing hill – drier. A good choice as Alpine Trail was a 3-layer water cake. Lower elevations were muddy, middle elevations between TH #2 and #3 dry, and above TH #3 very muddy from last…
After Tuesday’s rain and yesterday’s sunshine, I anticipated better conditions at Pisgah but not so – most of the trails were wet, muddy and sloppy – though shoe uppers were not dirty when finished. An after breakfast start from the North TH parking lot that was not as full as typical and the fog was…
After two days of serious Willamette Valley rain, the weather peeps suggested a break Tuesday with only cloudy, foggy morning and maybe showers early afternoon. I rechecked right before leaving, and was same … how wrong they were. It rained all day from the moment I left Spring Blvd Trailhead at 7:30 until I returned…
I went back along the Mill Race today to check on the Great Blue Heron nest building. The trees, creeks, and odd things all had herons. Maybe 20 during the 3 hours. Progress on the new nests was null – nothing. I did check the old ones again too – empty. This one heron on…
Yesterday it snowed at higher elevations the weather peeps had everybody expecting more this morning. I waited for better conditions leaving home around 7:45 and headed for North TH at Pisgah. Uncharacteristically empty parking lot due to conditions … The hills early held last night’s new snow Across the valley, Spencer Butte received the same…
Walking around town on a sunny war mid-50s February day early hints of spring were everywhere. Oregon snowpack is ~30% of average and thankfully a big rain storm is heading this way next week, but things still seem early this year. (Remember opening an image shows better resolution – the flowers especially) Near home flowers…
The valley was to have late morning fog, but the foothills warmer and fog-free earlier. Logical good hike -> Alpine Trail from the best Willmatte National Forest TH @ Westfir Covered Bridge park. Driving from Hwy 58 to Westfir, frost was everywhere in the hill’s shadow sparkling in headlamps, and on the park lawn too….
Weather in the 60s with blue sky and sun in February. Close-in short hike at Mt Pisgah was the call. Left the North TH about 10:30 and headed to the north and east side of the hill. From the first time atop Pisgah, it was clear that bad air (stagnant) remains in Willamette Valley. Coyote…
As winter continues on in some places and hides in others, good stories are always needed. Sitting around the campfire or the fireplace or the wood stove … what better way to pass the time than a good story? I was very lucky to be read to at early age and to be taught oral…
After alternating Pisgah and Ridgeline hikes, a farther-out hike in the snow-less foothills (sadly) was the call. I debated between Alpine Tr from Westfir or Hardesty Mt Tr from Lowell area. The weather was about the same – 40-50 and small chance of rain. The 40 min less total drive time to Hardesty won the…
