First cascades foothills of season

A quick dash out to Westfir on a most beautiful day… high 50s and sunshine. A perfect day for the first cascade foothills hike of the 2025 season – Alpine Trail. I arrived at the Covered Bridge Park before 0700 and was hiking shortly thereafter – 1 other car ‘camping’ in the parking lot. It’s 1 mile from the park to the Alpine Trail junction and from there it’s just straight up …

I made it to the ‘target’ turn-around vista point and within the time window planned … and the first ‘I’m hot!’ hike of the season.

Sunrise came with a bit of fog:

After crossing several forest service dirt roads and different forest ecosystems – just past the Tire Mountain Trail junction the first good vista meadow (my turn-around point). Clear skies, sunshine, snow-covered cascades …

Three Sisters playing peek-a-boo on the left and Diamond Peak on the right.

The Route

Started at the Covered Bridge Park in Westfir at 07:00 and went right up Alpine Trail to just past Tire Mt Trail junction to the rock-outcropping meadow vista point. Ate lunch and then returned on same route.

Trail Conditions – Details

Over the entire time, I saw not another human being. Birds were surprisingly missing from the higher elevations of the trail – very quiet. No mud really after leaving the park and only issue were the blow-downs … there were several. Most not an issue for hikers, but bikers … ?

Recent hiker tracks were present on the lower part of the trail below the shelter and bike tracks were old – nobody had gone since the last wind storm:

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra Lone Peak WP boots
• Pack: Yar.gear
• Upper Layers: 2 (base layer, med Patagonia tech)
• Upper shell: none
• Trekking Poles: Yes – Black Diamond Carbon
• Approximate Times: 07:00 to 13:30
• Carbon ratio: 1.5 driving, 6.5 actual – 65.3 hours banked YTD
• Notes: Moderate pace – a good break at the turn-around vista
  • Blowdowns were minimal time syncs
  • Cleaned off branches when possible

All Trails