There’s few things as vibrant and colorful as spring time in Willamette Valley when the flowers are just popping … these were all a couple of blocks around my house as I walked around today. Opening any photo will display in high quality resolution – extra bonus points to find the bee.
After Tuesday’s jaunt up King Castle in the McKenzie valley, Thursday’s hike was up Alpine Trail to Tire Mt in Willamette valley. I had hiked up Alpine not this far earlier, and the difference in trail conditions were striking – leave it to MTB riders to clean up their trails first! All the blowdowns were…
King Castle is a big rock that sticks up from Mckenzie River outside of Rainbow, OR. A small comms tower at the top spoils some of the views of Mt Washington and the Three Sisters covered in April snows. The trail is mostly used by MTB folks racing down the hill, but Tuesday April 22…
Continuing the practice of walking around farms and lakes before and during sunrise with better weather, the moon, the sun, birds and deer all made an entrance. The lakes just attract beautiful … < — clicking on the image opens up a higher resolution file — > Moonset Sunrise Friends A heron found a pier…
… and a lake-side sunrise with unusual birds. A very cold April morning with temperatures in upper 20s and a short window of clear skies painted a series of wonderful skies above farms around the lakes. < — clicking on photo opens higher resolution image – do it! — > Sunrise on the lake was…
Around a couple of small midwestern lakes, golden hours bring out the very best … water and sky; wonderful feathered residents and visitors. *** clicking on photos will open up higher resolution version *** Mute swans were grouped to > a dozen. A passing bald eagle was looking for an easy meal. One robin caught…
Getting out in the woods on solstice and equinox is a must do. The cascade foothills were covered in snow, creeks and streams were near / above flood levels. Weather suggested cool temperatures and maybe a few localized rain showers. Ridgeline Trail was the perfect trail given the conditions and my objective of spending way…
I was watching the weather closely last night and this morning, including precipitation radar and weather reports, to best determine which rain shell to wear. Spencer Butte was the targeted hill – Blanton Ridge and then up / down the butte until tired. On the way, it rained … the closer to Blanton, the bigger…
Weather was unstable – most people thought it was going to rain, cloudy and cold at best. Could there be better opportunity in March to go up and down Hardesty Mt? A hiking buddy and I took off initially to Goodman Creek trail to Eagle Rest, but in reviewing recent trip reports (and a sign…
… of the Willamette River. Last night I had four hikes on the table waiting for the morning’s weather, snow pack, and my mood (especially about driving) … North Fork of Middle Fork Willamette River was the choice. I was just at the same TH for recent Alpine hike, so had a good idea about…
