Around Pisgah in and above the fog

ByMichael Goatbells

Weather looked like it was going to break … sort of. Not as cold in the southern valley but further north could be freezing. I looked to maximize time outdoors with greatest probability of sun breaks but really wanted hills. Marys Peak might have freezing fog; Hardesty had snow before summit; Goodman Creek has a creek crossing problem; and North Fork / Middle Fork wouldn’t take in the sun (and along a road) … Pisgah was the best choice, and it worked brilliantly!

The Route

Started at 7:00 from West TH, and then just tried to walk on every trail and pass by all 3 trail heads: West, East and North. A couple of trails were walked more than 1x as I chose to take the less-human traffic, more interesting routes – and avoid the trails under the crackling high tension wires. The fog helped with the near-by city noise and the structures in landscape – almost like Avalon.

Recorded Track

Trail conditions were nigh perfect all around. The mud and trail creeks from last week were mostly gone. Around the northwest side of the hill fog had frozen on ground and trees – not slippery, but beautiful. Temperatures were also perfectly layered by temperature due to lack of wind – colder at valley floor in the fog and warmer above the fog. Humana traffic was almost none until the sun came out and even then near trailheads.

These ice patches were on Trail #1 going to summit.

There is construction going on at the park by BPA so noise ….

In and out of the fog

At the start of the hike, the sun colored the clouds and I thought the day would be grand after the recent freezing fog.

Getting up near the summit, the fog was quite different.

Around the northwest side of the hill where the fog froze; the trees and bushes were like holiday trees with lights. Spider webs caught the frozen water in the sun

Coming around that same NW side the second time, the sun broke the ridge and made a grand cathedral.

The day was great. In the fog, above the fog, in the cold, in the sunshine … all within 15 minute drive from my house.

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, FarPointe Fleece)
  • Upper shell: None
  • Trekking Poles: Yes – typical usage
  • Approximate Times: 07:00 to 13:00
  • Carbon ratio: .5 total driving – 1.5 target, 5.75 actual – 123.4 banked YTD

2 Comments

  2. For what it’s worth Heckletooth was clear of snow yesterday – in fact all the way from Dunning Rd trailhead to Kwiskwis butte was snow- and fog-free, just a few tiny ice patches on trail on the north side of the hills.

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