Why drive far?

ByMichael Goatbells

I needed a long hike with a bit of elevation work but didn’t want too drive far with grey, will-eventually-rain skies. The night before I thought Ridgeline a good idea, but in the morning I decided fewer humans and more wildlife a better plan: Pisgah!

Mine was first car in North TH lot … a good omen for human-less trails. Only 4 humans between start and 11:30 as I wandered around and over the hill. The day went from cool winds to warm clouds with rain always near-by. I started and finished the hike with the same layers without getting wet.

Pisgah with few humans and even fewer dogs means wildlife aplenty! As I got ready to leave parking lot, Merlin (app) recorded 10 different bird species singing. Later, several turkey vultures were soaring on 3 sides of the hill and at times getting very close to the hill.

Hairy woodpeckers were banging away (never saw them, just their rhythm against the tree). Several kestrels were hunting in the river meadow; probably the same ones seen recently. This kestrel perched above the meadow was too far for 150mm lens for a good photo.

Within the first 30 minutes, two deer showed up in the far northwest meadow. They were finishing up their breakfast but too far for a photo, and quickly ran away when they sensed me. Then, further around on Tr #3, I almost ran into this one feasting on camas flowers – to survive, it needs to get skittish with humans like the other deer.

On the far east side, this coyote was so busy hunting it allowed me to get fairly close. I made loud noises after taking photo, and it slunk away into the thicket. It seems by this encounter and fresh poo, the coyote has moved from the south meadows to this new area.

The blooming wildflowers still stole the show – peak blooming continues. Oregon Iris were out more than last time and the camas were still blooming. Flowering dogwood stood out in the woods and the yellow buttercups were sprinkled everywhere in the meadows.

Reminder, clicking on photo opens in higher resolution in full view

Mt. Pisgah has enough trail options to match any objective or style — or to fill an entire day with miles and little retracing. Wildflowers line most trails right now — yellow, purple, blue, white — paths of color. 10 different bird species sang at parking lot when I arrived. Turkey vultures soared around the hill 100ft away! Kestrels perched above the meadows to swoop down for lunch. Stay quiet and pay attention, and the deer and coyote might show up too! All this 15 minutes from my front door; why drive far to hike?

The Route

Started from the North TH and just rambled around and over the hill until I got tired. Prioritized the river meadows, Tr #3 and Tr #2 and 4 (to be in the woods too). But Tr #3 and the meadows had the best shows. Left the car around 6:15 and returned 2:30 with a short lunch break on the fancy bench on Tr #3.

Trail Conditions were wet, but not muddy. Wore trail runners and they got wetter from the grass than the mud. Human traffic was probably the lightest recently, and thankfully, dogs were even fewer.

Gear Box

Altra Timp 6 is a new shoe. This was the second hike and the longest with Currex insoles and T-Form metatarsal pads. By the end of the hike, the shoes loosened up (typical for Altra in my experience) and were more comfortable. Echoing other reviewers, the toe box seems bigger and the cushioning more than v. 5. Jury’s still out until 150 miles if Timp becomes ‘go-to’.

Data Geek Cellar

  • Shoes: Altra Lone Timp 6 – Currex Insole, T-Form insole pad
  • Pack: Gossamer Gear GRIT (full foothills day hike)
  • Upper Layers: Lightweight baselayer, SkyGoat fleece med weight
  • Upper shell: none
  • Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
  • Approximate Times: 06:15 – 14:30
  • Carbon ratio: 5.5 hours (1.5 hours driving: 7.0 hours hiking); YTD = 69.5 hours banked
  • Miles hiked YTD: 333
  • Notes:
    • Photos: moderate
    • Speed: moderate
    • Difficulty: moderate
    • Weather: 40-50s grey, clouds and wind

All Trails Data