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.

Hike: Tumalo Falls via North Fork Trail, Bend, OR

Getting There

From Old Downtown Bend, take NW Galveston westbound until it changes to Skyliners Road and NW Skyliners Road. Continue for about 8.7 miles. Veer right onto Tumalo Falls Road, continuing about 2.6 miles to the trailhead.

I saw a lot of cars parked on the side of the road before the bridge over the creek. I parked behind a truck but realized it was illegally parked. I decided to check if there were any open spots near the trailhead and there was! Score! 

The Hike

Length: 5.23 mi
Elev. gain: 702 ft
Moving time: 2:08:11
Total time: 2:21:15
Avg pace: 24:31
Calories: 1,129

 

 

 

 

If I'd know this was such a popular destination and that the trail really didn't got to any views, I might not have picked it. The waterfalls are nice to see and the white noise of the water crashing down is soothing. To be honest, I didn't really plan the last two days I had in Bend. 

It was still good to get out somewhere and it was kind fun hiking along the river. The snow was sort of expected but not necessarily at this elevation. To be fair, most people only went to the first waterfall and lookout but when I started up the trail, I only saw a few. 

It was cool (50s??), especially in the shade, but blue skies for days! 

I hiked to a creek crossing and found a bridge with 1/2 inch of ice. I recalled the mountain biker I'd seen earlier. I was so paranoid about falling in the water, and getting injured on such a benign hike. I crept across, holding on the the railing for dear life! I continued up the trail but stopped after checking my map. It wraps around in a much longer loop but I didn't think I'd ever get to any views/elevation.

I went back and crossed the scary bridge again. I had sweat through my shirt and had the foresight to have brought my full pack, 10 essentials, baby! I changed and felt so much better.

I started my way back. I passed a group of guys and noticed one of them wearing flip-flops. In my head, I made a comment about "there's always one in the group" or "forgot your boots or 'don't need 'em' " but was glad I didn't verbalize anything. LOL. Tough guy syndrome.

It was a "nice" hike but I was underwhelmed. I regretted not finding something more challenging. This trip was zipping by. I'd recreated part of my first two trips here and they just weren't giving me the same feeling as I'd had originally. Sigh. 

 

Hike: Green Lakes via Fall Creek Trail, Bend, OR

Getting There

From Bend, take SW Century Drive to Mt Bachelor until it changes to and continue on Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway: it's about 25 miles out of town. Pull into the Green Lakes/Soda Creek Trailhead parking lot. 

I had originally planned to climb Broken Top but realized when I arrived in Bend that winter had arrived early to Central Oregon. I got a clear view of Three Sisters and Broken Top when I was returning from my field trip to Lake County & Christmas Valley. I'd opted for a later start. I sat in the parking lot, leisurely getting my hiking gear sorted out and eating (most of) my breakfast burrito.

The Hike

Length: 10.58 mi
Elev. gain: 1,276 ft
Moving time: 4:08:49
Total time: 4:21:39
Avg pace: 23:31
Calories: 2,192

 

 

 

 

Since I knew I wasn't going to have to rush to reach the Broken Top summit, I adopted a more relaxed pace. The weather was amazing, not too cold, and clear skies for miles. I quickly caught up to a couple and said Good Morning.

I vaguely recognized the trail from my hike two year before, even though it was blanketed in snow. I had microspikes but felt comfortable without them. The first part of the goes by several waterfalls and is mostly under a canopy of trees.

While making my way to the section of trail that parallels the moraine at the south end of South Sister, I was getting showered by slush as the snow on the boughs high above melted. I tried to make it out of the trees without adding any more layers but a bit of snow that landed down the back of my shirt made me stop and don my jacket and hood. 

The sunshine is glorious. I see a few people and unnecessarily caution them about the melting snow in the trees. I know I'm close to the grand views of the mountain but can't see them from here. 

I finally reach the junction to the first campsite, #6. I take the site trail to the lake below Broken Top. So far, my snow hike is well-traveled and easy-going. I find quickly as I approach the shore, that the snow is softer and deeper than I was prepared for. I brought the wrong gaiters. I follow from footprints which soon become a single track of post holes. Even though my boots are waterproof and laced tightly, I can feel the coolness of snow reaching my socks. 

I had envisioned being able to at least go partly up the ridge, even if the summit was out of the question. Nope! The snow is much too deep and trail untraveled. Shucks! I wished I'd had the proper gear to go further: snow pants, snow boots, crampons, gaiters, and snow shoes!

I double-back to the main trail and continue toward the endpoint. I take a look back at my single track and Broken Top.

The view of South Sister is amazing. I think "I hope I can make it back here to climb this mountain". 

I start making my way back to the trail and take a few last views of this beautiful area and lament not being able to do the climb. Maybe next year. What if I camped here and did South Sister one day and Broken Top on another. Too ambitious? IDK.

On the way back I do put on my microspikes because the melted patches of snow had frozen in the shade. It wasn't a big deal on the way up but I appreciated the added confidence and traction on the way down.

I don't take many photos on the way back through the waterfall section. The light isn't optimal any more. I'm happy to just take my time. I think if I make it back to the trailhead, maybe I could ride the gondola to the top of Mt Bachelor, not realizing the ski resort is not open to the public yet.