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 I
expected some nice views from up above. By the time, I got to the
Saddle, it was really sunny. Forunately, there were cooler temps in the
trees and a nice breeze.
The Hike
Length: 9.56 mi
Elev. gain: 2,736 ft
Moving time: 3:52:49
Avg pace: 24:21
Calories: 2,051
Total time: 4:57:56
I was just reflecting on the fact that I haven't really been doing much hiking this year. I'm almost at the half-way point of the year and just have reached 25% of my hiking goals. I've been doing so many trail work parties with WTA, TKO, MSHI and attended the training in North Bend. It's also the beginning of the MSHI volunteer season so we had some training.
Well, I took the opportunity with the nice weather to try out my new boots and backpack.
Hamilton was my trail of choice.
The heat was getting to me a little, feeling slightly lethargic. It took me nearly 2.5 hrs to reach the top. I took a lot breaks for electrolytes and water. Along the way, I also took photos and GPS coordinates for all the downed trees I found over the trail.
I stopped at The Saddle to eat my sandwich and rehydrate. I also used my empty bottle to mix up a batch of electrolytes with the powder I got at Next Adventure.
I had originally thought about hiking up to the Bridge Trail but realized it was getting later in the day, though it was still a few hours before sundown. I did take Don's Cutoff to Upper Hardy Creek.
There was a hiker at the creek crossing where the Lower Hardy Creek Trail starts. I waved hello but zoomed by.
After brief stop at the Rodney Falls, I found the bottom section of the trail a bit warmer. The sun was shining and still quite high in the sky. I didn't think I wanted to wait until sundown but figured I'd do my obligatory side quest to Little Beacon.
I saw a pair of turkey vultures perched on a branch about eye level. They knew I was there, turning to look when I made noises. I hiked up to the lookout. While sitting there, I noticed the turkey vultures gliding in the wind between me and Beacon Rock. One of them came really close (~10 yards/meters). So cool.
