Hike: Dog Mountain via Auspurger Trail, Cook, WA

Getting There

I adhered to my usual M.O: I got a late(r) start and didn't really know where I was headed when I left the house. I'd told my mom and she told my aunt that I was going to Dog Mountain, but I really wasn't sold yet. 

I knew it wasn't Kings Mountain because to eastbound. I instinctively found my way onto I-84 east. That meant that I wasn't heading to Silver Star. I was going somewhere in the Gorge. Wahkeena/Multnomah Falls was out since that was my hike a week before. I considered Eagle Creek but figured it would be crowded. I tried to visualize Ponytail to Oneonta Gorge, tempting but no.

I continued to Hood River, where I had several options. When I got to that point in the journey, across from the Dog Mountain Trailhead, I saw a block of color: cars. It was a somewhat rare nice day so maybe it wasn't doable. (I thought about summer days when cars were parked (illegally) along Hwy 14, or when parking permits were required.

I stopped in Hood River to top off my tank and grab some water since I'd left my insulated water bottles at home. Oops. I crossed the bridge to WA, noting the automated fare system. On the WA side, I hesitated at the signal: should I go eastbound to Lyle/Cherry Orchard + Coyote Wall, or westbound to Dog Mountain, my stated destination. Fuck it.

I found the parking lot only partially filled with plenty of spots. It wasn't nearly as crowded as it had looked from across the river. I wanted to try something new, Augspurger. 

The Hike

Length: 7.31 mi
Elev. gain: 2,812 ft
Moving time: 3:22:28
Avg pace: 27:43
Calories: 1,784
Total time: 3:42:10 

 

 

 

 

 

The last time I was here, I worked on the lower section of the Dog Mountain Trail so not a hike. I did count the trail work party we did on the Auspurger Trail back in April 2024 and I hadn't actually hiked Dog Mountain since March 2024, and the top was deeply covered with snow. 

The trail was vaguely familiar from 1 1/2 ago, ... vaguely. I enjoyed the views of Wind Mountain and the river. I wasn't really expecting to encounter anyone on this side but was surprised to see several folks on their way down, completing the Dog Mountain/Augspurger Loop.

I even met a fellow volunteer from MSHI that recognized the patch on my pack. I mentioned getting a later start and hoped I had enough daylight. She assured me that the loop should only take 3 to 3-1/2 hours. I was relieved a little. (I thought about my hike around Smith Rock and the section to the upper side of the Burma Road Trail: I wasn't sure how far it was.) I wish AllTrails could show you distances to the next junction or waypoint.

The trail climbs steadily the entire way. My legs were burning but I felt good. I thought I passed a section of the trail I remember working on. I knew our turnaround point was a switchback. I delayed a map check until then. When I got there, I still had a ways to go but mot of the elevation gain was behind me.

I finally reached the junction, a sharp right turn. This is where I started to see white stuff on the ground. There were small sections of hard snowpack/ice. The late afternoon sun and views made for a spectacular traverse toward Dog Mountain.

Eventually, I emerged out of the trees and had a pretty clear line of site of the trail. I could even see people on the Dog Mountain ascent. I breathed a sigh of relief: the uncertainty in the back of my mind could finally take a rest. I knew once I made it to the top, it was all down hill (ba dum clank).

 

I passed an older guy on his way down and said "Afternoon" but got no response or even acknowledgement. Weird.

At the top, there was a guy talking on a cell phone. I didn't mind and gave him some space. Every other time I'd been up here, there was feet of snow. It was awesome to actually see the views to the west. I took a couple of photos and wandered back down the trail a bit and sat down for a min.

The descent was amazing. The sun was on its way down below the horizon, casting gorgeous hues, washing the Gorge with amber light.

I concentrated on proper form going down to preserve my knees and made sure to enjoy the surroundings. 

At the lower viewpoint, the sun was kissing the horizon on the Oregon side. I waited for it slide behind the mountains (but didn't; close enough).

I crossed paths with a hiker pretty low down, wearing shorts. t was 4pm and there was likely less than 30 min of light. I  thought about the guy on his phone at the top. I hoped they had flashlights.

When I reached the parking there were only two other cars: one parked next to me with Florida plates (belonging to the gut at the top cuz' I remember seeing it when I left), and another car of some kind (belonging to the late hiker.) 

Prologue: I changed into my regular shoes and a dry shirt and sped off westbound on Hwy 14. By the time I reached Stevenson, it was getting pretty dark. The sunset was ah-mazing. Great day on the trail. I won't hit my goals by a long shot but that's okay.

Hike: Angel's Rest and Devil's Rest via Wahkeena Creek, Corbett, OR

Getting There

I saw the weather this coming week was rainy. I haven't hiked since Hamilton almost a month ago. No excuses! I knew this was my window of opportunity. I wasn't the only one with that idea.

As I drove out on I-84 in the Gorge, I contemplated my hiking options. I wasn't going back to Hamilton. I clearly wasn't going to King's Mountain, and Dog Mountain was too far given my late start. I thought about Devil's Rest but also Ponytail and Horsetail Falls. Maybe even that perch above Mitchell Tunnel. I'd missed my opportunity to go to Silver Star when I'd jumped on I-84 vs I-205.

Almost at the last minute, I took the Bridal Veil exit and headed towards Wahkeena. I was still under the impression that the road was closed there and I saw a sign that the highway was closed in 3 miles. (I didn't do the math.) I optimistically and quite naively, figured there would be a vacant parking spot. My heart sank a little when I saw cars parked on the shoulder well before the trailhead. Not a good sign. I went ahead to have a look.

To my surprise, the road was NOT closed here anymore: cars could go all the way to Multnomah Falls. And, there were no empties. I did a u-turn. I knew there wasn't an eastbound on-ramp where I'd exited so I would have to backtrack and lose some precious time.

Instead of driving all the back to Corbett on Hwy 30, I got back on the freeway and got back on the eastbound lanes at Rooster Rock. I told myself, "if the Multnomah Falls parking lot was open I would take a look." Sure enough, there were several spots open." 

The Hike

Length: 11.66 mi
Elev. gain: 3,130 ft
Moving time: 4:49:27
Avg pace: 24:49
Calories: 2,550
Total time: 5:25:46 

 

 

 

 

It had been a month since my last hike. It's been difficult to find the motivation. Plus, the time change has made it so if I didn't start early, I'd run out of daylight. I'm way behind on my hiking goals this year.

Even when I was on-trail, I still didn't have a clear plan, just lots of options. The first choice was whether or not to repeat the track I did last time: Wahkeena > Angel's Rest > Devil's Rest. I thought maybe I shouldn't go for the big hike and just get up to Devil's Rest and could loop back or continue to Angel's Rest if I felt good.

When I got to the Wahkeena Springs turn toward Angel's Rest, I settled that choice. But... I could just hike out to Angel's Rest and back to Wahkeena, skipping Devil's Rest.

As one can see in the final trail route, I went all the way to Angel's Rest and up to Devil's Rest. I'm really glad I pushed myself.

There were a dozen people chilling at Angel's Rest. I more-or-less skipping Devil's Rest cuz there were two people sitting and I didn't want to disturb them.

When I got back to the Wahkeena Trail, I considered going to Multnomah Falls, or venture out to the view point. I figured the distance was about the same for the two. The view point has been a regular stop on my hikes out here, like always stopping at Little Beacon. 

I timed things just about right. As I was descending the switchbacks below Lemmon's Point, it was getting pretty dark. By the time I was on the Return Trail, it was really dark. I had difficulty seeing the rocks on the trail. I thought about the handful of people that I knew were still up on the trails above. Hope they had flashlights!

Successful hike. Awesome weather to boot. 

Hike: Hamilton Mountain + Hardy Creek, N Bonneville, WA

Getting There

Just after Doetsch Ranch you'll see the Ranger Station on the north side of the road just before the Beacon Rock parking lot, then another road across from the bathrooms. The road winds up the hill for a bit.

It was early afternoon and the weather was slightly overcast but it was supposed to clear in the late afternoon. The clouds covered the sun a few times so I thought the forecast was wrong but it was gorgeous at sunset.

The Hike

Length: 8.72 mi
Elev. gain: 2,333 ft
Moving time: 3:49:12
Total time: 4:55:21
Avg pace: 26:17
Calories: 2,019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It'd been about 3 months since my last hike here. I'd picked a good day for it, weather-wise. It was pretty quiet for a midweek hike. 

It was good to be back on this familiar trail, like an old friend. I'd packed my microspikes, not knowing what the top would look like. The temperatures hadn't spend much time in the freezing zone but given snow in the mountain, it was better to be prepared.

When I reached "Baby Hamilton", I took a long look at the spine trail. I'd only been down it a couple of times but today I was going to change things up. The recent rain had made this normally slippery path easy to walk up.

In hindsight, there was moderate exposure near the tree but I didn't feel nervous when I was actually doing it. The imaginary headline popped into my mind. Yikes.

It was awesome to vary my usual route. I sorta hoped that some hikers had been on Little Hamilton when I popped up on the ridge. Not today though.

I rejoined the main trail and continued up. Most of my hikes here start with apprehension and a sliver of doubt. Maybe today was the day I wasn't able to make it to the top. But, after I reached Rodney Falls, I felt strong, hydration and snacks were crucial!

I confidently made my way up the 14 turns section. At the last turn, I saw a little trail that I'd never bother to look at before. I saw a little platform above a considerable drop. I left my poles behind and crawled on hands & knees past a narrow section with high exposure. I imagined my backpack getting caught, causing me to slip a little, potentially falling. Another yikes! I got the photo but found another back to the trail and to retrieve my hiking poles.

The rest of my hike was pretty uneventful. I stopped at the far end of the Saddle. I chatted with a crow for a bit. I changed my base layer and was glad for dry clothes. The sky was clear but it was cool in the trees/shade.

I skipped Don's Cutoff this time. Call it a feeling.

I tried my best to appreciate my surroundings and stop to "smell the flowers". The fall colors looked good on-camera.

The afternoon sun was perfect. When I reached the powerlines and campground cutoff, I opted to hit Little Beacon. I still have the "what if this is my last time" thought in my mind.

I was alone on the perch. I snapped some great pics, ate the other half of my sandwich, and soaked in the rays and views.

I wasn't the last car in the parking lot. I remember passing a couple and one solo hiker above the falls.

A good day. Lifted my spirits.

 

Hike: Tamolitch Falls + McKenzie River, McKenzie Bridge, Oregon

Getting There

When I left my room in Bend, I didn't have a firm plan for the day as I was heading back to Portland. To be honest, I felt a little bit gutted; the week had zoomed by. I wanted to return home via Eugene/I-5 which meant I would be heading west on the McKenzie Hwy. I looked as some hikes near Sister, OR.

The trail I'd settled on was near the Dee Wright Observatory, where I'd visited a couple year before on my way home, was Black Crater. I felt pretty committed as I left Sisters. I bypassed a couple places to "take care of business", putting all my faith in an open bathroom at the observatory. Unfortunately, it was closed for the season. Fuck!

I had to rough it near the trailhead. However, as I was waiting for my InReach to recharge, I was feeling a bit hesitant since there were no others at the trail and I expected a tough hike (lots of EG) through snow. An AllTrails commenter said "Black Crater is one of the best hikes along the McKenzie Scenic Highway!". Ouch, in hindsight.

Anyway, I felt a little better when I'd pulled out of the parking lot. I had a plan, albeit a "safe" one. :/ I briefly considered a repeat hike at Smith Rock but this would route me north of my drive home. I did see I could skip Eugene and get back to I-5 around Salem. I tossed the idea since I'd already done that hike and likely didn't have time to do the whole big loop like I'd done last year; Burma Road Trail.

I had a concern that the McKenzie Pass was going to be difficult due to snow/precipitation but that wasn't the case: the lower elevation, the warmer the weather.  

After Santiam Junction, I took Hwy 126 towards Eugene. I pulled into the parking lot of Sahalie Falls but found the lot full and many other cars parked on the road. Nope! Too crowded.

My next stop was on a whim: Blue Pool. I found another busy parking lot but didn't want to forfeit a final hike on this short trip. I knew it was going to be a well-traveled trail but what choice did I have? I parallel parked away from the trailhead and geared up. 

The Hike

Length: 5.19 mi
Elev. gain: 600 ft
Moving time: 2:26:51
Total time: 2:39:22
Avg pace: 28:17
Calories: 1,294 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trail is flat but parallels the McKenzie River in an old lava flow. Tough job for trail builders. The fall colors were evident. I crossed paths with many hikers but had most of the trail to myself. 

I found many spots to get to the cliff edge to take some photos. Not bad compositions but a bit of repetition. I was aware that this was an "easy" hike. I wish I'd mustered the courage to tackle Black Crater. I hope there is a "next time". 

The Blue Pool is a cool sight, water like a glacial pool. I saw some others on the now-dry waterfall. I continued along the rim to this spot. A couple and their dog was also going that direction. I wanted to peace & quiet. I let them go ahead. They were going to the steep trail down to the water. I'd seen a group of 4 guys at the water but never saw them come back my way. 

Just before the steep descent I saw another trail heading the other way. Maybe they'd going that way. 

I followed it to a rocky hillside. I didn't hear any voice but it looked doable, like scrambling up to Little Beacon Rock. At the top, the views weren't great as the tree canopy was too thick, you could hear people at Blue Pool but couldn't see it. In fact, there was a forest road that was anticlimactic, hardly the out-of-way climb it looked like from below. 

I returned back to the pool and could still hear the couple with the dog. I didn't want to bother with getting to the water. I started my hike back to the car. I was good stop but not challenging enough. I got some good pictures though.