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A fast hike on Ridgeline Trail (Eugene Parks) end-to-end and Spencer Butte on a foggy morning winter solstice 2022 to catch the sunrise with more other hikers than a non holiday. The trail condition perfect after the rains without puddles or mud yet not hard on feet and legs. The hike Start was Spring Blvd trailhead leaving the car around 7:00 with headlamp barely lighting up through the fog. First to the top of SpencerKeep Reading …

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I caught a Ridgeline Trail fast-hike as weather turned from cold clear mornings to Oregon winter’s rain, fog, mist and grey sky. After two weeks of cold, clear weather (the last real rain was 11-07, a tiny rain on 11-12), weather bots promised winter rains in the afternoon. The morning temperature was a muggy 40 something and no fog. A great day to enjoy Ridgeline Tr and Spencer Butte. Ridgeline Tr Route The hike IKeep Reading …

spencer butte

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A 28 degree Spencer Butte fast-hike yesterday (Nov 15) like cross country skiing on hiking boots. Fast up the butte to catch a sunrise. With the cold, staying on highly traveled routes with deicer put the fast-hike start at Ridgeline Trail Fox Hollow trailhead. At trailhead, ice / frost remained on top of car; no question about how cold the air. The Route Catching the sunrise Fast-hike from Fox Hollow to Spencer Butte top takesKeep Reading …

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A cold Ridgeline Trail ramble over Spencer Butte with snow covering the cascade foothills and fog filling the valleys hit the mark. After internally debating another 90 minute drive to Mary’s Peak, Ridgeline Trail proved the better choice to avoid winter driving risks and additionally being unprepared for winter hiking. Ridgeline in my experience offers more wildlife encounters, too. The rambling route Start at Blanton St trailhead (TH), to Spencer then to S Willamette TH,Keep Reading …

sunrise over the fog

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November morning above the fog on Ridgeline Trail and atop Spencer Butte. Cedar Creek fire skies almost completely gone. First morning light increasingly orangish-pink rather than fire-red but the fire continues to burn – update page (the news is old, but the map current). Selecting yet another Ridgeline hike did not come easy. Both Marys Peak and Silver Falls St Part considered but the hike time vs drive time could not balance out – carbonKeep Reading …