Another foggy Pisgah

Weather forecast was ‘foggy’ and temperatures in low 30s. Driving anywhere far was not in the cards, so why not Mt. Pisgah? There was 1 car in the parking lot when I left at 7:00am with headlamp on in the thick, thick fog on valley floor. Foggy days are perfect for Mt Pisgah – the fog helps keep city noises lower and the fog hides any sign of humans (though the high tension / capacity electrical wires snap, crackle and pop).

Leaving that early, I went straight up to the top and reached the benches before sunrise. Not uncommon for Pisgah, the top was above the fog. Near one bench, a solo guitar player sat playing to the sunrise … open areas atop were frost covered.

Later thru the trees, but only near the top, the sun broke thru

A later time at the top, the fog remained in the valley – the photo on the left is Spencer Butte floating above the fog; the photo on the right that same bench over looking the fog.

The Route

Started at the main trailhead with the pay station and then straight to top; then just down, around back up and repeat … For the first couple of hours human traffic was thin. Around 10 human and dogs were thick around parking lots and on the main path to the top.

Trail conditions were mixed – there were some, especially the east side of the hill, that were muddy with creeks running down the middle; some were new with crushed gravel for walking and the BPA roads were all freshly graveled.

Data Geek Cellar

  • Shoes: Altra WP Lone Peak lowers
  • Pack: Yar.gear Ultra 38L – full shoulder season kit
  • Upper Layers: 3 (base layer, med Patagonia tech, FarPointe Fleece only first 2 hours)
  • Upper shell: None
  • Trekking Poles: Yes
  • Approximate Times: 07:00 to 13:00
  • Carbon ratio: .5 total driving – 1.5 target, 6.0 actual – 6 hours banked YTD
  • Notes: Some trails were newly surfaced with gravel and tough to go fast

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