The original plan for Tuesday 6-28 was to take the Eugene to Crest Trail from just east of Oakridge (Aubrey Mnt TH) as far east as possible and then turn around to be back at the TH by 2:30. Everything … Read More

For a second year, Summer Solstice sunrise around Spence Butte was the start of summer. Last year’s pics were more remarkable given the unstable skies. This year, after several days of rain, the forest was booming big and green, the … Read More

A Strawberry Supermoon in 2022 pulled me out for an early jaunt on Ridgeline Trail and up / down Spencer Butte a few times. Sunrise (so moonset inverse) was pegged around 5:30 and the weather had clear skies not past … Read More

A thru-hike simulation is about finding a groove (pace) that is sustainable all day over changing terrain, and then again the next day. While Hardesty Mountain trail to Mt. June was first choice, the carbon karma was too high; for … Read More

After 2 longer river hikes, some elevation work was needed to keep old legs, heart and lungs conditioned. Carbon karma was a big issue as well given the drives to Rogue and Enchanted Valley. Spencer Butte carries a 30 min … Read More

To keep up the endurance gained last week on Rogue River (post), a ‘fast-hike’ the full length of Ridgeline Tr (Spring Bvld to Blanton) and topping Spencer Butte twice. Hit the trail around 6:30 carrying lightly packed NorthFace 20L pack … Read More

The final gear run through before multi-day trips was a 1 night stay at Smith Rock. Late April had surprise … hot sunny afternoon on day 1, cold night, and on day 2, snow and sleet morning, then clouds and … Read More

Hiking season started today with a quick trip to Mary’s Peak for another test of the new backpack. Weather was suggesting temperatures above 70. Driving toward the trailhead, the sunrise over the valley farms and hills … Past this farm … Read More

For the last new backpack gear test, a long local, low carbon hike without trailhead vandalism risk presented a new methodology – park at somebody’s house and walk to the TH. This hike was 3 miles on the road, to … Read More