{"id":38192,"date":"2026-01-28T11:38:05","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T11:38:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goatbells.blog\/?p=38192"},"modified":"2026-01-28T11:38:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T11:38:08","slug":"stagnant-air-still-at-pisgah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goatbells.blog\/?p=38192","title":{"rendered":"Stagnant Air Still at Pisgah"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The below freezing temperatures may be over for now in the valley, but the stagnant air remains – at least until a rain scours it out. I left home after breakfast knowing that sunshine would be scarce if any and left the car-full North TH around 10:45.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the air conditions and valley people still burning wood for heat, all the smoke just sat in the valley to both the east and west. Looking to the east and Diamond Peak, we should NOT be able to see rocks – that peak should be totally snow-covered. A great view into the terrible OR snow pack so far in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To the east … <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To the west … a couple of hours later and the ocean clouds (rain!) coming in the valley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Due to the irrational number of dogs off leash, the coyote, deer and other mammals were no where to be seen. Song birds were out more than the colder hikes last week, and slightly larger birds, too. The flicker is easy to miss unless you see it fly first. I heard a pileated woodpecker on earlier trip, but this is first visual – pretty stretched distance for my 150mm lens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As I rounded the Swing Hill on the way to close the loop at North TH, the clouds had totally covered the valley, but to the east a bit different. This is after 2:30pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Started at North TH and then circled around Tr 3 and 4 all the way to Tr 2, then went to the top. From the top, down to Tr 3 and then back around on Tr 4 to Tr 3 and back to car. Only 1x to the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n