What Rain Storms Can Do

After what seems like years, the heat and sun (and all the fire impacts) gave a little way for a series of rain storms from the Pacific. I think everybody wanted to be out in the rain after the desert-like parching.

Initially, I thought hiking Hardesty Mt to walk under those great trees in the rain, but landed on spending more time in the woods and less time on highway. Ridgeline and Spence Butte from Spring Blvd to Willamette has tree cover too! (just not as grand)

Left the Spring TH with headlamp on, but didn’t need it long. At Mt Baldy, sunrise showed how unstable the day would be weather-wise.

Early, the sky couldn’t decide what to do.

By mid-morning, the rain settled in and came heavier and longer than any of the weather reports suggested. The humans and dogs that were on the trail loved the change of weather – the slightly muddy trail surface, and all the green!

For a good two hours the rain steadily fell – much more than weather peeps suggested. During that time, humans vanished, the birds got quiet, and only the water made noises through the leaves. After a couple months of sun, heat and wildfires, a bit of rain in the woods made a for a perfect 1/2 day hike.

The Route

Started at Spring Blvd TH and immediately to Spencer summit. Then, down to S. Willamette TH and back to summit. The third trip went down to N. Willamette back to the summit and then back to Spring. 3x at Spencer summit; Ridgeline both directions from Spring to N. Willamette.

New scoring method. Total elevation gain / miles walked = “Effort”. This hike was 3645 elevation gain in 16.3 miles so an Effort Score of 223. For 2026, the highest effort score was climbing S. Sister at 471. Climbing Black Butte from the lower TH is also high at ~330.

Trail conditions were perfect – a little wet ground so softer and no dust, and no mud either. A couple of runners and few hikers and that was about the traffic. Too many people talking on their phones though – can’t you do that in the car?

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra Timp 6 WP Boots – Currex Insole, T-Form insole pad
• Pack: Gossamer Gear Grit
• Upper Layers: Baselayer, REI Sahara Sun shirt
• Upper shell: Enlightened Equipment Copperfield Windshell
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: 06:15-12:30
• Carbon ratio: 4.75 hours (.5 hours driving: hours outdoors 6.25); YTD = 194 hours banked
• Miles hiked YTD: 970
• Notes:
  • Light rain and limited visibility