Spencer sunrise thru crack in sky

As with several recent hikes, I make a plan the night before with great ambition and motivation, but had a contingency or two in back pocket to manage OR weather. I wake up and review the weather and combine everything into a simple balance: how much carbon will burn (gallons of gas) and what is the anticipated hike’s experience quality.

Alpine Trail was 5 gallons of gas and 2 packs quality experience; Ridgeline and Spencer were 1 gallon of gas and 2-2.5 packs given better weather. I chose Ridgeline to avoid driving / burning the carbon for same or less experience. Hike objective: near winter solstice long hike.

Sunrise was pegged at 7:30ish with possible clearing, so I started at Spring Blvd TH around 6:00 with headlamp to hit sunrise atop Spencer.

How about walking up stairs to the fog?

Timing was nigh spot-on as I reached Spencer top with just a crack between the fog and clouds.

Several other humans were at the top and we all just stopped and watched the sun pass through that very small crack in the sky; this was my favorite photo.

The second time atop Spencer was different with the sky opening up and by the third time it was just blue sky

Timing that sunrise to the crack in sky was unique … sharing it with others atop Spencer wasn’t bad 🙂

The Route

Left Spring Blvd TH around 6:00 … straight to Spencer top for sunrise and then down to S. Willamette and right back to the top; from there down to Blanton Ridge TH (after stopping for lunch) and then back to Spencer top. Finally back to Spring TH. – my typical Ridgeline 3x up.

Trail conditions were perfect – absolutely perfect for that gravel trail system. Just enough mud and leaves to make it soft. Human traffic was highest on the summit trail and that section between Blanton and Willamette. I also got to say hello to my favorite dog on the trail – we see each other almost every time.

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra TIMP 5 (new)
• Pack: Gossamer Gear Grit (New Pack)
• Upper Layers: 2 – base-layer, mid-weight Calpine
• Upper shell: none
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: 6:15 – 13:00
• Carbon ratio: 5.25 hours (1.5 hours driving: 6.75 hours hiking); YTD = 190 hours banked
• Miles hiked YTD: 1160
• Notes:
  • Photos: medium
  • Speed: moderate
  • Difficulty: moderate – elevation gain
  • Weather: unseasonable warm and dry

All Trails Data was way off on miles and elevation gain but clock was consistent.