[boot up]

An easy 3.2 mile, 360 feet elevation gain "opt outside" hike with my wife on Black Friday, exploring the less crowded trail options in Smith Rock state park. Clouds made for a challenging lighting situation. Windy, but no rain, so I can't complain.

3.2 mile easy loop, with a steep 360 feet at each end. Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Almost nailed the timing for this unique drive by. Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Looking at the tops of basalt columns. Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Basalt ridge view. Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Gap in the basalt. Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Renee at the super nice, sheltered picnic spot we found. Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Crooked river, going through Smith Rock. Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Ponderosa tree. Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Renee Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Renee. Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Perched rock is Woodstock Rock. Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Rope A Dope trail. Beginner rock climbing area. Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Bush with Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Parking was packed. That is cars lining the road in the distance. Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

look carefully to see all the climbers. Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

Misery ridge trail viewed on Smith Rock, Terrebone OR 11/25/16

[olderthanIusedtobe]

Couple hikes in The Gorge on Friday and Saturday to try to burn off some turkey, potatoes, stuffing, gravy, pie etc. Friday was a long one, Wahkeena Falls over to Multnomah Creek, then up to the top of Larch Mountain. On the way down swung east to Oneonta Creek and Franklin Ridge before eventually reconnecting with Multnomah Creek. Good outing. Little bit of slushy snow on the ground at the top. Around 17-18 mi. I think, 4000' + elevation gain. A little tired today, so opted for something shorter. Hadn't been to Hamilton Mtn. in FOREVER, couldn't even really remember the trail. Did a loop going north along the ridge from the top. Another good outing. I absolutely love The Gorge for off season hiking.

[Snuffy]

You will have to check it out some time, Zephyr. I particularly like getting to Snow without all the crowds.

[Nancyann]

Tuesday was a perfect day for snowshoeing up to Skyline Lake and beyond. There was no wind at all, so even though it was only about 19 degrees, we had to take off our jackets on the way up. Very few people up there, but we did get to meet the famous Miss Pebbles in person, along with her humans fourteen410 and opus!

Skyline Lake snowshoe 12/6/16

Skyline Lake snowshoe 12/6/16

Skyline Lake snowshoe 12/6/16

Skyline Lake snowshoe 12/6/16

Skyline Lake snowshoe 12/6/16

Views from Skyline Lake and the ridge above 12/6/16

We hiked up to the ridgetop above the lake and got some pretty nice views!

Views from Skyline Lake and the ridge above 12/6/16

Snow dwarfs near Stevens Pass

Views from Skyline Lake and the ridge above 12/6/16

Views from Skyline Lake and the ridge above 12/6/16

[RichP]

Spectacular, Nancyann. It's winter all of a sudden and I had to suffer through a nearly 80-degree day in South Carolina yesterday.

[Nancyann]

Rich, why am I having trouble feeling sorry for you?

[Malachai Constant]

Short trip up Cableline this morning. Frozen mud up to last steep then compacted snow, great conditions fast and dry if properly equipped. A bit breezy on top.

[Snuffy]

Had a cold but fun day Wednesday at Kendall Lakes before the next batch of snow came in. Even ran into a guy setting a trap/monitor for wolverine. http://www.musthikemusteat.com/snowshoes/kendall-lakes-snowshoe/

[rossb]

Good job Snuffy. I went up the road on skis both Sunday and Wednesday. On Sunday I had trouble getting to the lake, and then ran out of time. It looked like no one had managed to get through the trees at that point. On Wednesday I skied with my brother to the view spot (to the right as the road splits). Sounds like you managed to get to the lake just fine. Oh, and I agree with you that the post holing pedestrians make things a bit annoying. Nice of you to point that out. It was bumpy on the way down, but the worse part was going up. I would often slide backwards, as the grip part of my ski would sometime be over a little hole. Oh well, good exercise if nothing else.

[Snuffy]

[boot up]

Snow was looking good at Swampy lakes sno-park right near mt Bachelor. Note they have separate trails for snowshoes and XC skis....a good idea. I happened to be on snowshoes this day and tromped up to the warming hut. Tomorrow is supposed to be a major storm moving in, that should dump a couple more feet of snow up there.

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park warming hut, Bend OR 12/12/16

warming hut, Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

warming hut, Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

warming hut, Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Broken Top through the trees. Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

warming hut Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

Swampy lakes sno-park, Bend OR 12/12/16

[Nancyann]

Mt. Pugh Trail to Lake Metan My snowshoeing partner wanted to try out his new CRV on some snowy back roads so we drove up to the Mt. Pugh trailhead. The local homeless guy had already arrived there in his old Chevy pickup, without chains.

Road to Mt. Pugh trailhead 12/16/16

Snowshoe to Lake Metan 12/16/16

The trail passed by some beautiful old growth cedars and fir.

Along the Mt. Pugh trail 12/16/16

There had been no wind since the last storm, so the trees were heavily laden with snow.

Along the Mt. Pugh trail 12/16/16

Snow bomb tunnel, Mt. Pugh trail 12/16/16

Wintry Lake Metan 12/16/16

We enjoyed watching two bald eagles soaring on an updraft on the ridge above the lake. Wishing I had a telephoto lens to capture the beauty!

Snowy ridge above Lake Metan 12/16/16

Every once in a while, Mt. Pugh would make an appearance.

Mt. Pugh in the mist 12/16/16

Our return trip went quickly since we smoothed out the path on our way up. Nice little 4 mile roundtrip on a gorgeous but chilly day.

[glenoid]

Quick trip up Cummins Creek road in the Wooten Wildlife area. Located in the foothills of the Blues in southeast Washington. This is a pleasant road walk through an area once inhabited by homesteaders. Now home to big horn sheep, elk, mule deer, black bear, cougar, and rattlesnakes. Lots of "forage" left from the previous owners there. Apples, Italian prune, and pears trees were left intact when the wildlife area was established. Only remnants of the old homes are these trees. If we get maybe 6 more inches of snow this would be an easy cross country ski.

Elk on south facing slopes

Looking south up Cummins Creek

[JimK]

Mt. Si for solitude? A crazy idea except on Christmas Day. I saw only 8 people while hiking up and had more than half an hour alone on top. Snow started at the one mile mark. After a little ice the top two miles were packed snow. Clouds blew in and out but it remained sunny overhead. I have a longer report and 32 photos at: Mt. Si Report & Photos Here are a few of the photos:

[Nancyann]

Nice to see a trip report from you, Jim! 1/1/17 Sometimes I just like to go for a walk out my back gate...

Sultan Basin 1/1/17

Sultan Basin 1/1/17

Sky Valley temperature inversion 1/1/17

Sky Valley temperature inversion 1/1/17

Sky Valley temperature inversion 1/1/17

Sky Valley temperature inversion 1/1/17

Sky Valley temperature inversion 1/1/17

Sunny skies at Mt. Stickney and Mineral Butte 1/1/17

Happy New Year to all my NWHikers friends!