This was a test run for Ann's new backpack, a sleek 39 oz internal frame pack, replacing her old trusted Kelty external frame pack. We hiked up 5 miles to Cairn Basin and set up camp. We had to cross the Rushing Waters creek on the way and that was a heart stopper to me. The water is really rushing and you can't always put your foot on a dry or even visible rock. Maybe not even a large rock. I decided I wouldn't be trekking around Mt Hood any time soon. We made it without incident though, four times.
After setting up camp we crossed the river again to explore McNeil Point. Most day hikers had left by then and only a few backpackers remained. We decided to go all the way to Top Spur - which is a steep haul on a user trail up the side of the ridge. The gain is 800 or so feet in about a mile. The view is wonderful from the rocky edge: the craggy rocks of Hood, the valleys on either side, rushing rivers, glaciers, crevasses, and ice caves. Sometimes we could hear cracks, but didn't see an avalanche. We headed down around 5p so the river was even higher by that time. Tried a different set of rocks to cross this time and it went smoothly.
Camp was in a slightly burned area and all night I could hear branches crashing to the ground even though it was not windy. I didn't take rain gear (no chance of rain!) and for about 30 seconds at about 4am it did rain on us! Sheesh!
The next day we left by 9a to hike the 5 mi back to the car.
Our total hike was about 10 mi with packs and 3.5 exploring. Total gain was 3500 ft. on Saturday.
map
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| Helleobore |
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| the tarn sprouted |
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| Mt St Helens, Rainier, Adams |
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| Rushing Waters creek crossing |
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| Cairn Basin |
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| camp |
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| 2011 Dollar Lake burn |
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| up to McNeil |
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| Pasque flower seed heads |
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| snack spot |
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| heading up to Top Spur |
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| seeds! |
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| Cairn Basin again |
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| heading back home |
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| Gentian |
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| Muddy Fork and Hood from the trail around Mt Baldy |
