Clear Lake, Sahalie Falls, and Koosah Falls 23 Nov 2013

Becky and I headed out about 9:30a on a beautiful, crisp, sunny winter day to hike around Clear Lake.  The snow level was supposedly 3800 ft.  We saw some snow near the pass.  We headed to the falls first to see if we could see any hoarfrost in the shade.  We did see some at the falls and at Clear Lake.  Beautiful day!  Back before dark at around 4:30p

Sahalie Falls

McKenzie River

Koosah Falls

hoarfrost

red headed ducks

Sisters view

dogwoods

Mt Washington

Dry Creek Falls and the Pinnacles via the PCT at Bridge of the Gods 9 November 2013

A blessed rain-free day hiking in the gorge in a deciduous and evergreen forest.  Fall colors were mostly yellow and brown, but the show of color was in the fantastic mushrooms on the path.  Great easy gentle elevation gain hike of about 7.6 miles to the Pinnacles and back.  We left Salem at around 9:15 and we were back to the car by 3:30p.

slug lunch

dry creek falls

dry creek

one of the crazy pinnacles

Larch Mountain Crater 4 Nov 2013

Probably our last chance to get to higher elevations for awhile - snow is coming tomorrow down to 3500 ft.
We headed to Larch Mtn Crater on a foggy, cloudy morning, but once we were up there, the fog was below us.  We started off on our 6.4 mile 1300 ft gain hike by going down on a pretty rocky, rooty path.  The forest was grand and pretty, the air crisp and damp.  We hiked about a mile down, before turning up, going down again and then up to the ridge of the crater.  We were treated to views of St Helens and Rainier.  We arrived at the road, walked up it for a bit, and then on to the view point at Sherrard Rock.  It was a 5 volcano view day!  We had it to ourselves briefly, there were only two cars in the lot.  Headed down, on a nice dirt path through a different kind of forest.  The forest was pretty dark so there are only a few photos.

lots of rhodys

first views of 2 volcanos

three volcanos:  Helens, Rainier, Adams

Hood, 22 miles away

Mt Jeff 65 miles away

some future hiking spots, Indian Pt and Mt Defiance

Burnt Lake & East Zig Zag Mountain 25 October 2013

The hiking season has been blessed by God with great weather this year.  It was very foggy and miserable in the valley, but I read that at 2000 ft the sun would shine. Garnet and I headed to Mt Hood for our annual sisters hike.  The hike to Zig Zag is considered difficult (9.6 mi RT with 2350 ft gain) but we took our time and made it to the top by 1:15p  The skies were clear and the sun was in the perfect position to show off Mt Hood.  Burnt Lake was pretty too with some fall golden yellows and deep shadows.  We even saw mountain lion tracks.  A beautiful day.

cool 'shrooms

19th century burnt out snags

view from ridge

a 4-volcano day

sisters

lunch spot on the rocks

Mt St Helens on the left

Burnt Lake in the afternoon sun

Mountain Lion track