Wahtum Lake loop hike

On Wednesday morning I parked my car at bridge of the gods. I walked 2 miles west to the eagle Creek Trail. I hiked up to Wahtum Lake. 15.3 miles today. I camped at the west end of the lake. Campsite was a mess with trash everywhere. Very disappointing. 

On Thursday morning I hit the trail at 7:30 AM. I took the Chinidere trail shortcut to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and headed North back to Cascade Locks. Descending from Benson Plateau (4000 feet) to Cascade Locks (240 feet) was agony.  About 85 degrees and no wind. I stocked up on water at teakettle springs and rolled the dice and did not treat it. 

A good trip. I did not see another human being for over 24 hours. When is the last time that happened to you?

Mount Hood from the PCT.

Mount Adams from the PCT.

Saturday, April 5, 2014 (21 miles)
I parked at Bridge of the Gods Trail Head in Cascade Locks.  Hiked on Gorge Trail #400 to Eagle Creek Trail Head (about two miles).  Alternatively, you can walk the bike path.  Proceeded up Eagle Creek to my previous stopping point - Tunnel Falls.  Kept going on the "Vertigo Mile" past Twister Falls, then took the Wahtum Lake trail.  Got within a half mile of Wahtum Lake and hit snow.  I was only about a third of a mile from intersecting the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).  My intent was to camp at Wahtum Lake and then on Sunday, take the PCT back to Cascade Locks and my car.  Stopped in an open spot to send a Delorme InReach satellite text message to my wife, telling her my change of plans.  Then I retreated back down Wahtum Lake trail about 5 miles until I found a suitable camp site.  It started raining hard right after setting up my tarp, so I got my wet clothes off, crawled into my sleeping bag and had a cold dinner of trail mix.  About midnight, I woke up and could feel that the foot of my sleeping bag was getting really wet.  A miniature lake was forming at my feet due to a slight low point on the ground.  I propped up my foam sleeping pad with water bottles and shoes, placed the foot of my bag on top of my bear can, and went back to "sleep".  It stopped raining around 3am and eventually the water soaked into the ground so I could get a couple hours of sleep.

Sunday, April 6, 2014 (9 miles)
I broke camp and hit the trail around 8am.  Met a couple of friends from work above High Bridge and the three of us hiked back down together.  It was great meeting up with them and really made my day.  They were kind enough to give me a ride back to my car from the Eagle Creek Trail Head.

Monday, April 7, 2014 (0 miles)
A nice, sunny day back in Beaverton.  I was able to dry out all my stuff on the back deck and enjoy a well deserved beer.

Lessons learned:

• pick tarp location carefully; avoid low points with no drainage
• pay attention to every step you take  (I slipped and fell once on the vertigo mile)

Eagle Creek Trail 440 to Tunnel Falls

6 miles out and 6 miles back. It took me five hours. A beautiful trail along very steep cliffs.  If you are afraid of heights this is not the trail for you. Tunnel Falls is spectacular and well worth the hike.  This is a very popular trail and I passed many people on the way back.

Oregon Coast Trail - Ft. Steven's State Park to Ecola State Park and back

Saturday, February 22, 2014 (20 miles)
I did not do the first 4 miles of the Oregon Coast Trail.  I started south on the beach from the wreck of the Peter Iredale.  I parked my car at Fort Stevens State Park and walked south to the Ecola State Park Hiker's Camp.  I actually camped a bit short of the Adirondac shelters since there were a couple of people with dogs at the camp.  The first 16 miles is beach and street walking.  The last 4 miles is on the Tillamook Head trail which rises from near sea level to 920 feet.  There are some spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

Sunday, February 23, 2014 (8 miles)
I woke up early and hit the trail at 5:45 AM and used my headlamp.  Saw a very tame deer just before getting off the trail and back to Seaside.  It was only about 30 feet from me and didn't even stop feeding when I said "Good Morning, Deer".  I hiked to Gearhart and decided to cut the hike short and call a cab.  I was worried about getting back to my car before they locked up the gated compound it was parked in.  Good weather both days.  Low 50s and no rain.  Got down to around freezing at night, but I was cozy under my tarp in my Marmot Helium sleeping bag.

Some logistics:
Email park.info@state.or.us and let them know your plans.  They will forward you to the right park office.

At Fort Stevens State Park, turn left at the main stop sign and then take your first left into the gated compound.

From the Peter Iredale wreck, there are 12 miles of beach walking with no services, so plan water and restroom breaks accordingly.

Bathroom and water facilities:

• Fort Steven's State Park
• Seaside 12th Avenue Beach Access (Seaside restrooms are on city water)
• Seaside Broadway Beach Access
• Seaside Sunset Blvd "surfer's" restroom (just before climbing the hill)

If you need to cut your hike short:

• Seaside cab - 503-738-5252

Here is the map: http://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PARKS/docs/OCT_a.pdf

Columbia River Gorge Hike

Yesterday I hiked the Wahkeenah - Angel's Rest loop (8 miles).  I wore a full 35 pound pack - 25 lb base weight and 10 lb water (4 liters).

I parked at the Wahkeenah Falls trailhead and walked the highway to the Angel's Rest trailhead.  The trail was pretty crowded up to Angel's Rest but I was on my own above there.  Nice flat wooded section up on the ridge. Crowded again coming down through Wahkeenah canyon.

It was cold and very windy and the trail was icy in spots.

King's Mountain

Hiked from Kings Mountain trailhead to the summit of Kings Mountain.  A very steep trail. 2500 foot elevation gain in 2.5 miles.  The civil engineer who surveyed this trail must have either been at the bottom of the class or very sadistic.  "switch backs? We don't need no stinking switchbacks."

Columbia Gorge hike

I hiked the Angel's Rest trail today. Foggy and no view at the top. It is about a 5 mile round-trip with 1400 foot elevation gain. A couple of weeks ago I hiked up Saddle mountain in Clatsop County. It was foggy and cold then too.