Timberline Trail Loop 2021 Note: If you haven’t yet heard about the alterations to the route neccesary this year due to the destruction of trail above the Muddy Fork, visit this Detour Information Page Timberline Trail Detour July 7, 2021 With significantly lower temperatures, and even some clouds in the forecast, on Tuesday evening IContinue reading “Timberline Trail Loop”
Author Archives: Jim Wilson
Badger Creek Wilderness, Jordan Creek and Points Between
Badger Creek Wilderness, Jordan Creek, and Points Between Continuing to explore the eastern side of Mt Hood National Forest, today I pieced together 26 miles of roads ranging from pavement to decommissioned and nearly overgrown, trails both well taken care of and nearly forgotten, and off trail peak wandering. I started by exploring an oldContinue reading “Badger Creek Wilderness, Jordan Creek and Points Between”
The Eastern Reaches of Mt Hood National Forest
The Eastern Reaches of Mt Hood National Forest On the tail end of a period of hot spring weather in the valley, the far eastern reaches of the Mt Hood National Forest is a pleasant place to be where higher elevations drop the temperature and flowers are in bloom. The area east of Surveyors RidgeContinue reading “The Eastern Reaches of Mt Hood National Forest”
Deschutes River Explorations
Deschutes River Explorations I spent some time exploring the Deschutes River on two days this week. It’s a beautiful time to be near the river, with lots of birds being active in the morning and flowers out now, and just starting to really bake by afternoon. First I did a few miles at the mouthContinue reading “Deschutes River Explorations”
Lyle Cherry Orchard
Lyle Cherry Orchard Lyle Cherry Orchard, just past the tunnels east of Lyle, Washington in the eastern Columbia River Gorge is a lovely climb from the river up into the oak savanna of the hillside. A few old remaining cherry trees from the long-abandoned orchard dot the top of hills lending the place its namesake.Continue reading “Lyle Cherry Orchard”
Wygant Natural Area and Beyond
Wygant Natural Area and Beyond Wygant Natural Area seems to be one of the less popular routes climbing up the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. From the trailhead for the much more frequented Mitchell Point, the Wygant trail heads west and then starts to climb up the hillside. The trail has so many switchbacks, itContinue reading “Wygant Natural Area and Beyond”
Hood River’s Bald Mountain
Hood River’s Bald Butte I arrived at the Oak Ridge Trailhead off of Highway 35 south of Hood River before dawn and headed up the hillside to catch some warm morning glow on Mount Hood as I hiked through the oak savanna hillsides scattered with blooming balsam root, lupines, and paintbrush. The trail connects withContinue reading “Hood River’s Bald Mountain”
Bald Mountain and Ramona Falls
Bald Mountain and Ramona Falls I headed out to the Mt Hood National Forest, parking along the Sandy River, just before the bridge and gate that leads across to the flats area along the Sandy with McNeil Campground, Ramona Falls Trailhead, and other access points to the Zig Zag Mountains. I got ready, geared up,Continue reading “Bald Mountain and Ramona Falls”
Hood River Mountain
Hood River Mountain Hood River Mountain and the area around it is covered in old access roads and trails winding through the hillsides, forests, and oak savannas to explore on foot, bike or horseback. There are unparalleled views looking out west over the Hood River Valley and towards Mt Hood as well as north toContinue reading “Hood River Mountain”
PCT North of Carson
PCT North of Carson This spring I’ve made a couple of trips to the area north of Carson, Washington above the Columbia River Gorge, and begun exploring the southern parts of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. In a series of out and back hikes I’ve covered the span from the road near Sedum Point toContinue reading “PCT North of Carson”