Hike: Eagle Creek, Cascade Locks, OR

Getting There

Take I-84 from Portland towards Cascade Locks. After the exit for Bonneville Dam, take the next exit (41): Eagle Creek Loop. There is a parking lot near the fish pools. There were a bunch of cars and a few people walking toward the trailhead. I figured I'd at least check out the end of the road for an empty spot. I cautiously drove toward the trailhead. A few people walked in the middle of the road but I waited patiently until they realized I was there and moved to the side. 

As luck would have it, there was an open spot right near to the trailhead. A car beside me left shortly after I got there and truck left across the way. I watched two cars arrive and pull into them, then a third that had to go back toward I-84, sorry, not sorry.

The Hike

Length: 8.90 mi
Elev. gain: 1,693 ft
Moving time: 3:27:22
Total time: 3:35:44
Avg pace: 23:19
Calories: 1,827

Happy to finally get back on the trail. It's been 6 weeks since my last hike to No Name Lake. The last time I hiked Eagle Creek was January. I needed a get out in nature, even if the weather was cold and gray.

Today I went as far as Tenas Falls. (Someday I'll go up to Tunnel Falls and Wahtum Lake.) While I got a later start (1pm), I still encountered several pairs of hikers heading up the ravine with not much daylight remaining.

The first couple were about 4 miles up the trail, not dressed appropriately for the pending rain: cotton sweat pants and sweatshirt. They asked about a big waterfall. I said I wasn't aware of any beyond where we were (I didn't mention Wy'east Falls). I shrugged and pointed at Loowit Falls.

A bit further down I crossed paths with a couple and a dog. I didn't hear them until they came around a corner talking loudly. It caught me by surprise. I stepped out of they way since we were on a narrow part of the trail with a long, steep drop-off. They barely acknowledged me and didn't pause their conversation. Rude!

The next pair of hikers were probably college-aged, also traveling light and didn't seem to have any rain gear. I thought about the first pair I'd seen earlier and thought, they'll be fine since those others were heading up too and they could huddle together (or probably not), but not my problem.

When I reached the side trail for Punch Bowl Falls, a guy was on a knee doing something on the ground. A girl was standing over him looking down. I only caught a glimpse and my first thought was he was getting ready to propose. Good thing it was just a thought that I didn't verbalize. Awkward!

Down by the water, there wasn't much of a shoreline like there is in the summer when water levels are low. I enjoyed the scene for a second, then realized there were a couple of guys sitting on a log, one was smoking a joint. I turned around and started heading back up.

Back at the trail, the "proposal" couple was gone. I continued down toward the trailhead. The trail continues under the canopy of trees but I noticed then rain had increased when I reached the really narrow part of the trail with the cable and steep drop off. I was glad to have a rain coat but was missing my pack cover. I'm sure the tiny waterfalls were getting everything wet. (Turns about my pack cover was INSIDE my pack. D'oh.) 

By the time I reached the parking lot, the rain was steady and it was getting pretty dark (around 4:45-5p). I did my best to store my wet pack, jacket, and boots as quickly as possible.

Definitely a little out of shape, need to get back to stretching and yoga.
My hips and knees are angy. 💯😂

As far as my hiking stats are concerned, I'm behind. After today's outing, I still have about 53.6 miles and 10,275 feet to go. There are just 44 days left in 2024. 

From this time in 2023 to the end of the year, I completed just 6 more hikes for 34.31 miles and 10,382 feet. The elevation gain goal seems attainable but the distance might be too much to make up before New Year's Eve.

Tenas Falls

Punch Bowl Falls

Hike: No Name Lake & Bend Glacier, Blue River, OR

Getting There

Since I'd already hiked Smith Rock, I needed to find a final hike before heading back to Portland. I researched some trails out of Sisters, OR. I thought about checking out North Sister and the Dee Wright Observatory again.

But, my determination to get to No Name Lake kept gnawing at me. LOL. I'd started up the rough road on Tuesday before bailing and heading to the Lava Cast Forest, Newberry Crater, and the Lava Lands.

From Bend, take SW Century Drive toward Mt Bachelor, about 22.5 miles. Continue on Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway to the turn off for FS-4600. It's a rough, rutted road for about 0.5 miles to the Todd Lake trailhead. Keep going on NS-370.

The road gets really rough from here to end, about 5 miles. Definitely, slow going and thankful for a high(er) clearance vehicle. In hindsight, I'd rather drive on this kind of road than the washboard crap, kind of like the road to Coldwater Campground for Mt Adams South Summit trailhead.

I found a nearly full parking lot. Wow. And, many were not lifted trucks. I don't recall seeing a Prius but some flavor of Subaru (Crosstrek?). I found a spot.

I happened to strike up a conversation with a guy that was starting his hike about the same time as I was. I still wasn't sure about the route and asked if he knew if there was signage for No Name Lake. He said he wasn't sure. He mentioned he was meeting his buddy who was riding a bike from the Broken Top Brewery in Bend. He was a trail runner so disappeared ahead pretty quickly.

The Hike

Length: 6.17 mi
Elev. gain: 1,444 ft
Moving time: 2:44:44
Avg pace: 26:41
Calories: 1,451
Total time: 3:13:43

 

The guy I chatted with was a trail runner so disappeared ahead pretty quickly. Fortunately, a group of four were on their way back to the parking lot (I'd been on trail for just 5 mins) so I asked them about the trail to the lake. They assured me it was hard to miss.

I caught up to the guy again who was putting an arrow for his buddy pointing to Broken Top and where the No Name Lake trail split off.

I took a lot of photos on the way up by these are sort of in reverse order starting with my arrival the lake.

About half way up, the trail crested and I was sure I'd reached the lake. I tried to recall the photos I'd seen to match what I was seeing. I laughed when I realized it was not it. I still had a ways to go. I'm kind of glad it took a bit more effort to get there.

This is a rather mild trail, elevation gain speaking. The trail hooks around the berm on the left of next photo. There is a narrow ascent up a trail. I paused to let a couple come down. The guy stepped on a loose rock and slipped. I made a dumb remark "those little ones make roller skates". (huh huh). It was my turn to go up.

I reached the rim and was amazed to be at the level of the lake.

 

I found a trail that skirted the lake. I expected it to just go around but found a section climbed up to the rim on the west end. Fuck ya! There was a couple in paddle boats and a dog. The woman was using a snowboard as a paddle. I filed that information away and continued on my way.

 I found epic views of Three Sisters.

 

 

After I made it back to the start point of the lake loop. I'd looked for the trail near the glacier but realized it was snow only. I'd left my microspikes in the car. I noticed that couple was on a patch of the glacier, snowboarding down a bit. Epic.

I started back down the trail. I still had a long drive home to Portland. And a trail and rough road ahead of me. I couldn't help but take more photos of this amazing environment, particularly Broken Top, the remaining part of a massive ancient volcano.

 

Hike: Smith Rock State Park, Terrebonne, OR

Getting There

The air quality south of Bend was terrible again, with hazardous conditions in La Pine. I had to go north to be far away from it. I'd planned to visit Smith Rock on my way home of Thursday but I decided to switch things up.  

From Bend, take Hwy 97 northbound to Terrebonne, about 21 miles. Take a right on Smith Rock Way (east) and follow to the parking lot, about 2.5 miles.

I parked at the first lot available after the bivouac area. To my dismay, a person was sitting in their car, windows rolled up, talking on the phone... with the engine idling. It wasn't strong but I could smell the exhaust. I was so annoyed and started to talk loudly to myself. I had to get out of there before I had a confrontation. I needed to start hiking and change my focus on something awesome and positive.

The Hike

Length: 10.20 mi
Elev. gain: 2,172 ft
Moving time: 4:36:09
Avg pace: 27:04
Calories: 2,433
Total time: 5:47:24

 

 

 

 

 

I had no idea where I was going when I left the car. I did zero research on the trails and what not. I had lunch, plenty of water, the 10 essentials. 

I saw a bunch of people coming up some kind of road just beyond a building, bathrooms, concessions, picnic tables.

I saw some grass down near the river and made that my first objective. The road drops gradually on a long gooseneck but there was a steeper shortcut that I took to the river.

From across the canyon, I saw a trail heading up the rock just before the vertical part. Go big or go home. Turns out this is the Misery Ridge Trail. I wanted elevation gain and views and this had it in spades.

After I dropped down to the west side of Smith Rock, I decided to head north, instead of south like the old guy suggested. After passing Monkey Face, I took the Mesa Verde Trail to the Summit Trail.

I still had good stamina and excitement to be out there, my lack of research of this trail cause me some mild concern. I saw a high point far ahead and above me the looked like a mtn bike descent. I began to imagine that my route was heading up there. The sun was still high above in the sky but I was further away from the park than I expected to go. I still took the detours to the viewpoints but felt a bit rushed.

Eventually, I reached the fulcrum of the trail: the Burma Road. I noticed a guy hiking down well below me, apparently doing the same loop I was on. Whew! I knew I was still on track and now I could see the route back to the car, sort of.

I still had to check the map to find my way around to the start of the Misery Ridge Trail. There was still good light for photos. I started down the river trail and saw more groups of climbers supporting one person in their group on the rock, belay partner, hollering tips.

The map showed a crossing but when I got there, it was only a horse fording route. I wasn't about to get my boot soaked and see how deep the water was. I doubled-back toward the parking lot. 

What a place! 

 

Hike: Trail of the Molten Land, Sunriver, OR

Getting There

From Bend, OR, take Hwy US-97 south for about 10.9 miles to the Newberry Nat'l Volcanic Monument. Take the exit for the Lava Lands Visitor Center (NF-9702). 

On this occasion, I was coming from a very smoky Newberry Caldera/Paulina Peak. I actually drove past but had no where to turn around until South Bend. I pulled over to check the drive time and estimate how much daylight I had left. It was still early enough in the afternoon.

I made good time back to the visitor center. Since it was a Tuesday I knew there was a slim chance that the cinder cone road was open but I checked anyway. It was closed. Since the visitor center was closed, I took a chance parking in a employee/staff parking spot, closest to the trailhead.

Just as I was walking away, I saw a pickup drive through the lot toward the gate. I thought I was busted but they took off. Just a tourist. I took off before a ranger showed up. Forgiveness vs permission.

The Hike

Distance: 1.12 miles
Elevation Gain: 132 feet
Highest Elevation: 4,620 feet

 

The smoke from La Pine (south) had not quite reached this area but it was very close. Consequently, it made for an incredible sunset. I could smell smoke in the air but I knew it was short loop, 20-30 mins. I did the counterclockwise loop up to the Phil Brogen Viewpoint. I had the place to myself.  

What a landscape! I knew I'd be taking photos similar to what I had from last year but the smoke added a new element. Terrible for the environment but adds some drama to the photos. Sigh.

As I walking back to the car, I saw a guy with a decent looking DSLR. I waved and tried to sound hopeful: "Still a bit of light left!". I knew he wasn't making to the viewpoint before the sun dropped below the horizon.

Exercising some creative license