Pisgah above the fog

With a break in the atmospheric river dumping rain on PNW, getting out in the woods sounded perfect, but I didn’t want to drive. (After driving back – forth from PDX last week.) Ran through the mental exercise of comparing near-by locations by number of anticipated humans, probability of wildlife and a good set of miles on decent trails. I ended up at Pisgah around 6:15 headlamp on to hike the outer edges on a very foggy day – my last 3 hikes all @ Pisgah.

Wildlife did not disappoint.

Even some fungus got in on the act

The Route

Started at the West TH and went straight to top, meeting 2 runners coming down. From the top, down the southeast side to East TH, back around to top and then back down to trail 4 to 3 and North TH. Then back around with another stop at the top before going around the south outer edge trail.

Human traffic was very light except on the main summit trail and the trails around the arboretum. Dogs were less than normal at Pisgah, but still many off leash.

Sunrise fog

Lower elevations were socked in thick with fog, but on the hill above the fog … magic.

Sunrise was perfectly timed atop Pisgah the first time.

While the trail conditions can be ‘hard’ with the gravel treatments (like Spencer and Ridgeline), Pisgah is a blessing so close to home. When driving seems irrational, getting out in the woods can still be an option.

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra WP Boots
• Pack: Yar.gear
• Upper Layers: 3 for first 2 hours – base-layer, midnight Calpine and SkyGoat fleece
• Upper shell: none
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: 6:15 – 13:00
• Carbon ratio: 4 hours (1.5 hours driving: 5.5 hours hiking); YTD = 164 hours banked
• Miles hiked YTD: 1072
• Notes:
  • Photos: medium
  • Speed: moderate
  • Difficulty: easy