Tough Going Up Eula Ridge

I debated for hours about which long hike given that the first big snows are predicted to arrive this weekend leaving snow until spring … I just couldn’t drive far with short autumn days, so I headed to Hardesty Mt intending the full Eula Ridge and Mt June Loop. – silly plan!

After the night before rain system (bigger than predicted) trail-side vegetation was going to be very wet … I left TH with headlamp around 6:30 and within an hour my pants were wet up to the knees and my WP boots unable to keep my feet dry … But Eula Ridge kicked my butt – 3,000 ft elevation gain in 4 miles – a very steep walk up to Hardesty,

Over the first section on South Willamette Tr several bridges cross small streams, and this is the robust one.

By the time I got to Hardesty (the clearing past the summit) I was tired, and decided to eat lunch and just go straight down to the car – forgoing Mt June. I met one human going down, and his comment made the day – his first time on Hardesty, “This hill is relentless!” … I told him the Eula Ridge way was even harder – steeper, but both sides relentless!

Off in the distance, 2×4 farming

That was the only vista all day and the wind was raging up the hill from SE … so lunch was short.

Most of the day was walking in ecosystems like this

Wild flowers looked more like this too

The Route

Left the Hardesty TH on Hwy58 around 6:30 and went east on South Willamette Trail to Eula Ridge. Then up Eula Ridge to Hardesty trail and around the summit to the clearing. Back to the TH was straight down Hardesty Mt Tr.

Trail conditions were wet early – but not the trail, the vegetation. Some muddy spots, but nothing to fret. 1 human the entire time. Eula Ridge trail is rutted badly in spots where the MTB dig in (really steep ride if you ask me)

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra Timp 6 WP Boots – Currex Insole, T-Form insole pad
• Pack: Gossamer Gear Grit
• Upper Layers: Baselayer x2
• Upper shell: none
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: 06:30-13:00
• Effort Scale: Today = 258; YTD Avg = 152; YTD Median = 173 (today = above average)
• Carbon ratio: 3.5 hours (1.0 hours driving: hours outdoors 6.5); YTD = 233 hours banked
• Miles hiked YTD: 1172
• Notes:
  • unseasonably warm, but very wet trail-side vegetation
  • Camera = ‘long lens’