{"id":37920,"date":"2025-11-26T00:13:06","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T00:13:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goatbells.blog\/?p=37920"},"modified":"2025-11-26T00:13:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T00:13:10","slug":"winter-is-in-the-air","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goatbells.blog\/?p=37920","title":{"rendered":"Winter is in the air"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I ended up hiking my third selection after discarding the other 2 due to too much driving for their experiences. Spencer Butte had not been hiked in weeks, so logically Ridgeline<\/a> Trail from Spring Blvd starting early in morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Spring Blvd at 6:22, it was straight to Spencer Butte summit with headlamp on between white and red until almost Fox Hollow. Once atop, sunrise and valley fog … cold winter winds, too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fog rolls over the low hills as if alive stretching out toward the valley below …<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heading down the hill on one of the busiest trail sections, a local resident just grazed along the lower bushes – I left the area before he did<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I doubt if that’s the same guy encountered last two times at Pisgah, … probably just that season when all the guys are looking for company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Atop the second time, the fog had thinned but the vistas no less interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going down toward Blanton around the N. Willamette TH, the familiar thud, thud, thud … of a pileated woodpecker<\/a>. I quickly tried to get photos, but the light was terrible … then another bird flew right in front of me and landed near by – 2 of them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trail conditions were almost perfect – just enough mud to make the trail softer without getting shoes dirty. Human traffic was less than anticipated and limited to the summit trail and the Blanton Ridge area. 4-legged ones were almost all leashed … <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Route<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Spring Blvd TH on Ridgeline to Spencer Summit; down to S. Willamette TH and back to Spencer Summit; down to Blanton Ridge TH and back to Spencer Summit; down to Spring Blvd.<\/p>\n\n\n