Duffy Lake 27 Sept 2014

Katrina and I arrived at Duffy Lake TH around 11am and were greeted by camp robber jays, backpackers and horses.  There were several cars in the lot, but we pretty much had the trail to ourselves.  The plan was to load up our backpacks and see how they fit us as we hiked the 7 mile RT trail to Duffy Lake.  The grade was pretty easy going which was very nice.  We had a few issues (like I need a smaller sized pack) but overall, we did it and that is exciting to know!  The day was brisk and beautiful, fall colors were ramping up and the sky was filled with beautiful clouds.  Duffy lake and the surrounding area will be a nice place to return to when we actually have all our equipment!

Paradise Park 19 Sept 2014

Jean and I started out early for Paradise Park on Mt Hood where the trail begins behind the Timberline Lodge.  It was a quiet morning and, despite the forecast of areas of smoke from a nearby wildfire, the wind was in our favor and it was beautifully clear.  The hike is roughly 12.5 miles with an altitude gain of 2300 ft.  Interestingly the hike begins at 5900 ft and half way through the hike you finally reach 5800 ft.  All the gain and loss accumulates from crossing numerous canyons including Zig Zag - 700 ft deep.  On the hike back to the Lodge, our legs were worn out!  Beautiful beautiful fall day!

Beautiful morning on Mt Hood

looking back at the lodge

mt hood from the zig zag overlook

fall was in evidence

on the other side of Zig Zag, climbing back up

another water crossing

the scenery became stark again

on the way into the forest again

moss-dressed trees

Reggie back at the Zig Zag over look

cool mushroom

Broken Top Glacial Lake 12 Sept 2014

This was the third week I had planned to go on this hike to the No Name glacial lake at the base of Broken Top.  The weather looked good...but there must have been a fire in the south, because as the day wore on, it became quite smokey.  You could even smell it.  So the pictures are quite hazy but I suppose it adds an element of mystery.  This hike is accessible from a very bad road near Todd Lake which makes the hike about 6 mi RT (so there are lots and lots of hikers).  I chose not to drive the road, but accessed the trail via Todd Trail.  This makes the hike over 15 miles.  The hike to Broken Top begins in forest then opens up to views all around.  The view of Broken Top you see as you approach is not where the lake lies...for that you have to go around to the right, near Broken Hand and straight up a creek coming out a slot in the glacial moraine.  When you get up there, the lake is right there.  Climbing to the ridge is worth the effort as views are wonderful.

almost to the cut off to head around to the right

now Broken Hand is in view, the slot to go up is to the left

up here

then this!

taking the path to the ridge you see the Sisters

and you can go further up

lunch spot

lunch spot view

smokey

Ball Butte and a little stream - there were several of these on the hike, as well as a spring

Coldwater Peak Mt St Helens Nat'l Monument 5 Sept 2014

Friday's weather had red flag fire warnings for the east side of the Central Oregon's mountains, this included hot dry air and high ridge winds.  Looking at the map, I discovered that Mt St Helens would be windy and hot, but not as windy as where I had originally wanted to go.  Coldwater Peak is a 13 ish mile hike up onto the peak that took the brunt of the blast when Mt St Helens erupted in 1980.  It follows the boundary trail past Harry's Ridge then behind some hills, up then down, and around - then up up up a relentless 0.6 miles of decent switchbacks.  I had to tuck into some rocks so I wasn't blown off the top.  It was quite windy up there too.  Most of the hike the wind was welcome for cooling off.  Not too many folks out hiking.  I didn't see wildlife except for birds and a million grasshoppers.  I did smell the animals though.  The side of Coldwater Peak was covered in ripe huckleberries.  I was hoping the rangers did not do a hand check because mine were stained purple.

Hoffstadt Creek Bridge entering the Blast Zone

Mt St Helens in the morning light

Pano of Adams, Hood and Helens with Spirit lake

Lunch view

Lake St Helens

The wind was pushing the logs to the opposite side

Spirit Lake

the peak I was on is at the top of the pole

Visitor's center

parting shot