Meadow magic at Pisgah

A warm but grey day in the valley with promises of afternoon sun … rather than drive, I stayed local. Leaving TH around 6:30am, there were >10 different birds singing in the parking lot. Later in the river meadows, 11 different birds sang while in the nearby woods only 4. A lazuli bunting was a new bird today – heard but not seen! Vultures were out early and all day soaring around the hill for lunch (a possible Black Vulture sighting, too!) and the nesting red-tail hawks showed up too. Woodpeckers were on all sides of the hill, a pileated, hairy, and northern flicker.

A solitary wild turkey paralleled me up the hill on the east side – it was skittish and odd to be so separated from others.

Fresh coyote poo was on both Tr #3 and the River Meadows, and filled with bone pieces … a different coyote showed up than I’d seen before – more reddish. It didn’t immediately run away, but I was not going to get close to it – quickly ran away after checking me out (photo too blurry)

Spring is clearly ending as the Camas flowers have gone to seed pods and the Lupin are exploding

Yet, some new flowers showed up and others are truly hanging on

A reminder to self … when one leaves early morning to hike in the meadows and its wet fog, the trail-side grasses will be wet. Your shoes will be wet quickly, your socks too. Be wise, wear shoes that dry out fast (trail runners), but don’t stay home.

Starting early might mean wet feet, but meadow magic had brought out all the local creatures! Spring’s last hurrah at Mt Pisgah with lupins in full bloom and Camas in seed pods. Streams are running dry … must be time to head into the cascades.

The Route

Started at North TH and around the hill on #3 and up to the summit and then just stayed on #3, #2 and #4 to capture the river meadows too.

Trail conditions are getting really dry. Almost all mud is hard and cracked … streams that were full are empty.

Human traffic beyond #1 was very light – surprisingly so.

Gear Box

More on Altra Timp 6 – this pair now has 150 miles. They passed every test presented so far. Beyond the advertised changes from v5, I find they dry fast after getting wet. The thinner mesh while runs hotter and probably heavier, doesn’t let ash / dirt inside – a must do in OR cascades. The Timp 6 have held up nicely – they look hardly worn after the miles – they are officially the ‘go to’ mesh low tops.

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra Lone Timp 6 – Currex Insole, T-Form insole pad
• Pack: Gossamer Gear GRIT (full foothills day hike) – fast belt added
• Upper Layers: Lightweight baselayer, Patagonia Capilene
• Upper shell: none
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: 06:30– 13:30
• Carbon ratio: 5.25 hours (0.5 hours driving: 6.75 hours hiking); YTD = 92.5 hours banked
• Miles hiked YTD: 456.85
• Notes:
  • Photos: moderate
  • Speed: moderate
  • Difficulty: moderate (elevation)
  • Weather: 50-60s wet dense fog early, then just grey