Mt Pisgah Right Before Time-change

After spending a couple of weeks walking around the flat Amish farmlands, a bit of Willamette Valley foothill climbing was needed. Sunrise this week, 7:45+ but next week, 6:45 … more hike time, so no need to travel this week. I left Mt Pisgah North TH right around 7:00 with headlamp on.

A great horned owl greeted me soon after starting – its big booming voice coming around the hill. Rain and fog were early, and then gone.

Over the course of the day, a sharp-shinned hawk hunted the south hillside mid-morning, and later, a red tail hawk hunted that same hillside. Fresh coyote poo was found on Trail 3 and 6 and 2 – different sizes, so more than 1 coyote these days! Deer tracks were everywhere, and early one female deer crossed my path. On a subsequent trip up the summit, another deer, but this one not intimidated by me at all!

With Fall in full swing and winter seemingly around the corner, this flower just hangs on.

The day was a bit harder than the miles or elevation gain after walking so many miles in the flatlands … but the raptors, the deer and the solitude were just perfect.

The Route

Started at North TH and used Trail 3 first time to summit, and then Trail 2 down back over to Trail 3 and back to summit via Trail 6. Back down Trail 2 to Trail 4 to Trail 4 and back to the summit. Down to Trail 3 and over to the Outer / Quary Road back …

Trail conditions were pretty good considering the recent rains. Mud is starting but not quite enough to matter … yet. Human traffic off the summit trails was nearly null.

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra Timp 6 WP Boots – Currex Insole, T-Form insole pad
• Pack: Gossamer Gear Grit
• Upper Layers: Baselayer, + Patagonia Mid-weight base
• Upper shell: none
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: 07:00-12:45
• Effort Scale: Today = 207; YTD Avg = 150; YTD Median = 172 (today = above average)
• Carbon ratio: 4.25 hours (.5 hours driving: hours outdoors 5.75); YTD = 225 hours banked
• Miles hiked YTD: 1125
• Notes:
  • Headlamp for first 30 minutes