Ridgeline: Cold rain contingency
Original plan was North Fork Middle Fork Willamette out of Westfir. Weather was sketchy and degrading … checked early in the morning and temperatures <40, rain until noon. A solo hike (with serious mud) with 2 hours car time in cold rain? No.
Pulled the contingency plan. Ridgeline Trail from early am with 20 miles and >4,000 elevation gain the goal. Turned out, no rain hard enough to put on rain shell, and temperatures in the 40s; but the fog and mist …
The Route
Started around 6:15 with headlamp from Blanton Ridge TH to Spencer top; down to S. Willamette TH and back to Spencer top; then down to Fox Hollow and on to top of Baldy; back to Spencer top and then back to S. Willamette TH and then up the shoulder and back down to Blanton.
As I crossed N. Willamette TH first time with headlamp still on, a chorus of owls sang to the rising light – there must have been 3-4 singing.
Human traffic was light. At the start, several headlamp runners and then nobody for 2 hours. Trail conditions were a bit sloppy but really soft.
No matter which time at Spencer Top, the fog just wouldn’t leave. The first time up, I was there alone in the fog …
Along the way
This small guy only had 1 antler … looked the other either broke off or just didn’t grow. He did not look that healthy
Snowberries hanging on to the rain
While I really wanted to hike further out of town, the weather and driving times just couldn’t clear the bar. Ridgeline Trail as a contingency was perfect. Did not quite hit the 20 miles mark, but did exceed the 4,000 elevation gain – goal mostly met.
Data Geek Corner
- Shoes: Altra WP Lone Peak lowers
- Pack: Yar.gear Ultra 38L – full shoulder season kit
- Upper Layers: 3 (base layer, med Patagonia tech, med tech)
- Upper shell: None
- Trekking Poles: Yes – typical usage
- Approximate Times: 06:15 to 13:00
- Carbon ratio: .5 total driving – 1.5 target, 6.5 actual – 113.6 banked YTD
Great pics as usual!