Mary’s Peak

First time up the highest point in the OR Coastal Range, Mary’s Peak, and it did not disappoint. After reading the recent trip reports from All Trails, I prepared for snow and ice, but anticipated better conditions than reported given the weather. The original plan as to go up East Ridge and then follow North Ridge before turning around and circling back. A modification of this trail.

I was expecting a much heavier usage trail system due to proximity to OSU, but while trails were in good condition, they were not damaged highways like Spencer Butte in Eugene.

All good plans have a contingency … the ice at the very top of East Ridge trail was too risky for me, so I went down and came up the North Ridge trail. The part of trail missed was <50 yards after reviewing from the top. The top was amazingly bright sun, snowy ground, cold with raging wind.

When I started, I was the only car (person) on the east side of the hill. All in all, 4 parties encountered on upward way but only at the top, and 3 parties on the downward, near trailhead.

In places, the snowpack was still this deep

The scars of clear cutting are ever present

The top has radio equipment – I had to hide behind a rock to eat lunch the wind was raging so. It reminded me of Mt Washington in New Hampshire as some giant magnet for bad / cold winds.

On the meadows above the upper parking lot, people were skiing

Distance: 10.28 miles | Elevation Gain: 2,382 ft | Avg Pace 23:44 / miles — Recording

Gear Type	For this Hike
Pack	NorthFace ION 20L
Shoes	Columbia fabric boots (snow, ice and mud)
Top Layers	Baselayer + cotton L S + Fleece
Bottom Layer	REI Warm hiking pants
Socks	Dual layer REI Poly liner + REI lightweight Merino wool
Water	Bladder 2 L Leaked in car – replaced with 1L and 750ml bottles
Trekking Pole	Pole was necessary on East Ridge Trail – would have not made it w/out pole