A new hiking buddy and I decided to head up to Cougar Reservoir for a good day hike. Originally, the plan was to drive further along the reservoir and start at the Echo Trailhead and hike up to Castle Rock. … Read More
The trail name = North Fork of Middle Fork Willamette River. (All Trails). Our hike was 4 great friends walking up river about 5 miles finding a great place on the river for lunch and then returning. The late June … Read More
Another July day sandwiched between really hot July days for a close-in day hike. Last week was lower McKenzie River, so this week targeted Willamette River valley: Salt Creek Falls (opposite Waldo Lake) to Vivian Lake and then on to … Read More
After hiking the upper and middle sections of the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail and the weather forecast in the upper 80’s, a perfect time to hike the lower McKenzie River section – completing all the trail but the detour. … Read More
Hiking Fuji Mountain and South Waldo Lake loop was planned for last week as the last of the snow melted, but high heat >90 postponed the trip until Sunday, July 9. Weather forecasted clear and low 80’s. A couple of … Read More
Summer solstice seems a good day to be in the woods — last year. This year the weather was cool, potentially cloudy but no rain in Willamette Valley, and after last week’s long trip (Ochoco, Smith Rock, McKenzie River) a … Read More
As part of the contingency plan after bailing out of the Old Summit trail hike from Round Lake (post), the upper McKenzie River trail was right on the way home … I stopped around 10:00 on Saturday, June 17. At … Read More
After hiking at Smith Rock for sunrise, and camping at Gorge CG, Camp Sherman, the original plan had a long day hike on the east side of 3 Finger Jack along the Old Summit Trail (US FS). Some older hikers … Read More
That’s a mouthful. Yet, a wonderful trail. My partner and I hiked this several years ago and it was not this nice – the trail is in great condition, and one can hike further than All Trails curated trail. This … Read More
Early season backpacking when the snowpack is so deep and wide-spread is a challenge. Rivers seem to be the best plans, like hikes a couple weeks ago, Smith Rock/Crooked River, John Day River, Deschutes River. The plan was open and … Read More
