Frost to sun at the park

Fog soup continued in the mornings on the valley floor, so driving early made 0 sense 2x in one week – carbon karma awareness kicked in, so after breakfast an urban hike camera in hand from home. No car, no carbon spent on logistics … but birds for sure!

Early in the morning the frost and ice hung on until the sun broke

Atop Gellespie Butte the fog completely socked in any views … This tree stands near the top pointing toward all the new houses covering the hill.

Once down along the Mill Race with the sun warming the upper branches, the birds all went sun-bathing.

This jay just couldn’t get any higher on the branch working for the warmest rays.

The stars of the show, however, were the red-wing blackbirds. They seemed to know it wasn’t spring but they were strutting in the bushes above the mill race and all were singing enforcing the territorial boundary. Spring training for the real spring when they’re spectactors.

Then of course, that one neighbor who nobody can invite for dinner – messy!

The Route

From Oakway Shopping area up and over Spyglass Hill and then Gillespie Butte (hill). Down to Alton Baker Park and Pre’s Trails … out and back along the Mill Race. Most of the way except over the neighborhood hills was wet, soft bark dust. Only 1 UO runner the entire time …

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Topo Athletic Phantom 3
• Pack: REI Flash 18 (extra fleece, first aid, food & water)
• Upper Layers: tech baseline and SkyGOAT fleece
• Upper shell: heavy tech wind / rain shell
• Trekking Poles: none
• Approximate Times: 10:00 –13:30
• Carbon ratio: 3.5 hours (0 hours driving: 3.5 hours hiking); YTD = 8 hours banked
• Miles hiked YTD: 35.60
• Notes:
  • Photos: medium
  • Speed: fast
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Weather: 32-48 foggy & frost to start then sun and warmer