[Rix Six]

Hi all, My name is Rick and I'm someone that's just starting to trail hike but not completely new to it. I live just outside of Estacada Oregon, one of the gateway communities to the Mt Hood National forest. I've spent years driving around the forest service roads in these parts and have been camping, hunting, fishing, wood cutting, mushrooming and just going for relaxing Sunday drives on them. There's a state park near me that has miles of trails that I've been hiking on for years, just to keep father time at bay. Last year I hiked up the Redlake Trail for a few miles and then back down, great hike. Did it again on the Fourth of July. I've hiked a few other trails around here as well. I think I'm getting the hiking bug and find I'm spending more time researching new trails to hike. This weekend I'm planning on hiking the Pansy Lake trail in The Bull Of The Woods wilderness area of MT Hood National Forest. The goal is to find the side trail that goes up to the BOTW fire watchtower. I've never been on this trail or to the trail head. I'm 60 years old and am willing to partner up for weekend day hikes as long as the trail head is within a reasonable distance.

[Ski]

hello Rick and welcome to the site!

[Rix Six]

I solo hiked the Pansey Lake trail up to the Lookout Tower. It was a nice hike that started off by going through some old growth forest with a lot of ripe huckleberries along the trail. The view from the lookout tower was fantastic, with views of Mt Bachelor, Diamond Peak, Mt Jefferson, Mt Wilson (I think that's what it's called) Mt Hood and way off in the distance Mt Adams. To the west I could easily see Table Rock, which is on my bucket list of local hikes to do this year. This coming weekend I'm planning on a day hike up to the Hawk Mt fire lookout in the Mt Hood National Forest. The weather is forecast to be partly cloudy, I hope there's views to be had. If anyone is interested in joining up, let me know.