Walking around the neighborhood this past week surfaced a few remarkable flowers in full bloom. (more…)

Over about 75 miles hiking on three Central Oregon rivers, lower Deschutes, John Day at Cottonwood Canyon, and Crooked River at Smith Rock, these were my favorite photos. Between the rivers and the sky the rocks and green vegetation totally … Read More

This hike was originally planned as a 2-night backpacking trip on the same route. However, after spending a day on the John Day River (Cottonwood Canyon) and the up-coming weather prediction, a day hike out and back seemed the better … Read More

As part of the Central Oregon river trips, Cottonwood Canyon State Park was the second stop after Smith Rock. I drove late afternoon after hiking Grey Butte and had camping reservation – this seems like a newer state park in … Read More

Smith Rock State Park proved to be for the third year a great early hiking destination (last year). Bivouac camping is not my favorite – the worst of both car and pack camping, but it’s easy. Crossing the cascade pass … Read More

Sometimes one can be at the Oregon coast and the cold, wet and / or wind just make a miserable day. Sometimes in the spring, a sunny day can make a huge difference. The next day, a Cascade Head hike … Read More

A couple of warm, sunny days on the Oregon Coast and time to hike Cascade Head and Hart’s Cove. I hiked this on Friday, April 28 … There is quite a bit of confusion on this trail set as All … Read More

With backpacking trips upcoming, time to shake out the backpacking gear kit for the early season 2023. Several gear pieces were updated over the winter, and all the conditioning work needed a backpack proof point. The full gear set My … Read More

With spring finally showing up, and backpacking trips closer on the calendar, time to shakeout backpacking gear kit to find and correct any gotcha’s from gear updates or tired gear. The gear review details are here, this post is just … Read More

I thought about hiking Spencer Butte, or maybe even something further away – but the weather report prompted an urban hike from the front door. Snow fell again on the foothills and above to the cascade passes. Birds were on … Read More