Hamilton Mountain 26 Nov 2014

Katrina and I combined a trip to PDX with a leisurely morning hike at Hamilton Mtn on the WA side of the Gorge.  Beautiful day, roaring creeks and waterfalls, beautiful views, and a good workout.  7.2 mi 2300 ft gain.

view of our destination

roaring Hardy Creek

Getting closer

water uses the trails too

Table Mtn from the summit

lunch spot

we took a user trail to this ridge for our lunch

pano from the lower ridge

An attempt at Dome Rock 24 November 2014

I arrived early, hoping to make it to the summit of Dome Rock and back to the car by 2:30p.  Monday is a BSF day and I didn't want to cut the timing too close.  All was well, until part of the trail was a river, then the snow got deeper, and well, my shoes just got soaked and my feet were freezing.  I carried on for a mile or so after the clearcut with only animal footprints to follow, including a cougar following? a deer.  When I entered the forest after the viewpoint, I made the decision to turn back - I was cutting the timing close and my feet were so cold.  It was a beautiful day, and given more time I think a person could get up to the summit.  The trail was easy enough to follow even without the help of human footprints.  It seems the animals use the trail too!  7.5 mi 2768 gain. (summit is 10 mi with 3200 ft gain)

Mt Jeff in the fog

Detroit Lake

Margie Dunham clear cut...lost the human footprints, lots of water

Mt Jeff from the ridge

predator, prey and me!

Tumble Creek was roaring

Driving south on Hwy 101: four beach views 14 November 2014

Snow and ice covered inland roads sent me west to the coast for a lovely winter visit to four beaches.  I had intended to go further, but time melted away as I played with long exposure photography.  When I took a look at the photos at home, they reminded me of this verse:  Romans 8:6 (ESV) For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  If my focus in life is the trouble (waves), I will not have peace, but if my focus is Christ and I see the troubles (waves) filtered through Him, I have peace.  These ocean photographs have that sense of peace about them!

Boiler Bay

a turnout on Otter Crest Loop

South Fogarty Creek Beach

Jefferson Park 8 November 2014

Amazing hiking adventure with intrepid adventurer and Christian sister, Ann Reese!  With a late start (11am) on a 12+mile hike, we hauled up to the park in good time.  Then we proceeded to wander about all the beautiful pools and lakes for 11/2 hours.  We hated to leave but the sun was setting.  We made the 5 mi back from the park in 2 hours, the last 90 min with headlamps.  Such a beautiful day - we were thanking God for the blessing of living in OR and being able to hike :-)

the first meadow

lunch spot at Scout Lake

Bays Lake

wandering in the fields of heather

heading back

one last reflection pool shot

parting look at Mt Jefferson as the sun set

Coffin Mtn (flat top) Bachelor Mtn, and Three Pyramids

Opal Creek 1 November 2014

Opal Creek is an old growth forest with beautiful blue pools and little waterfalls.  The entire area is very popular - you may even stay the night in a cabin at Jawbone Flats!  In the summer lots of people swim in the pools.  Fall and winter bring cooler temperatures and fewer visitors, but the lot was still full of cars when I arrived at 11:30a.  The trail was pretty empty though, probably because a lot of it was underwater.  I was thanking God for my waterproof boots.  :-)  I used this opportunity to experiment with some long exposure photography.

the trail begins on a road, but a pretty one!

the trail is a "creek" too

the forest is very pretty here