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So many people had their dogs off leash (I can only remember 1 or 2 ON a leash). Some with very small dogs and some with dogs that were under no command at all. I guess they don’t believe the sign. Or, maybe they’re just trolling for coyotes with dog bait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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New leaves were popping everywhere there was enough sun. Grasses were green. Birds were singing, claiming territories more than in months. Red Tailed hawks were building a nest (poor photo, but you can see how large the sticks were) and a Cooper’s Hawk hunted over the meadow. Coyote poo was everywhere but filled with more hair as rodent activity springs. In one nearly hidden meadow with fresh green grass, a group of deer nibbled away (bushes were between them and me so no photo).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The sun faded later in the day and haze settled into the valley. Diamond Peak has new snow!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By the time I circled around Swing Hill near North TH, the haze was complete over Spencer Butte and the sun muted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Route<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Started at North TH swung around Tr 3 all the way around the hill to the first ascent from the southeast side and went to the top – nobody there. Went back down to the left of the bench to avoid that sticky mud section on Tr 3. Took Tr 3 past East TH to Tr 2 and up to the summit – nobody there. Back down Tr 2 to Tr 4 and back to Tr 3 and TH. (Factoid: with Ridgeline – Spencer on Tuesday<\/a>, 5 summits without anybody there – hiking in rain, bad conditions has rewards<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n