Wind Mountain Hike, Gifford Pinchot, Wind Mountain, March 9th, 2015 (followed by Carson Hot Springs Soak!)

http://cascadiablog.com/2011/09/23/take-a-hike-wind-mountain/
Above link is to the Wind Mountain Spirit Quest Hike page.
This hike is just east of Carson, turn north on Wind Mountain Rd, and east on Girl Scout Rd, and park in the gravel pull out, walk down the road 100 yards and you will see the trailhead. This trail is pretty much straight up for 1 1/4 miles, and back down. It is 2.5 miles round trip. With amazing views at the top. Wouldn't be a bad idea to bring your poles on this one! Make sure and catch a soak and a wrap at Carson Hot Springs after your hike for well deserved relaxation.

http://www.carsonhotspringresort.com/
Carson hot springs is a historic resort with lots of amenities including a fancy pants golf course. They have extra long soaking private tubs and other spa treatments. Get a 30 minute soak and 30 minute hot towel wrap for 25 dollars, plus unlimited sauna. I promise it will be worth it!

This was a specific location for Natives going on spirit quest, they ask that you please do not disturb the area, stay on the trail. And pay respect.

taken from the cascadiablog.com "After taking in the view, examine the talus field around you. This site was once a place for Native American spirit quests, where young men would isolate themselves and wait for messages from their guardian spirits through visions or dreams.  There are “walls” built within the talus field here that form little divots in the chunky blocks of stone. These were built by native peoples between 200 and 1,0o0 years ago. Please respect the history and don’t scramble over them or deconstruct them". This was my favorite things about this hike. All the beautiful delicate walls and shelters built in to the rock. It is a good place to be silent and take the beauty and history in.

Pretty ladies at the top.

Breathing her in.That is dog mountain just on the other side of the canyon. And the river just outside of the photo's edge.

Looking east at the summit.

Up and up!

Salmon River Trail; Salmon Huckleberry Wilderness, Mt. Hood National Forest. March 1st, 2015

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/recarea/?recid=53608

Above is the link for the the 7.8 mile Salmon River Loop we hiked today. It is a glorious hike (fairly busy) along the Salmon River, through the Salmon Huckleberry Wilderness. There are several gorgeous and perfectly placed campsites along the trail, with easy access to the water, and plenty of room for a large group of campers. Be advised, if you bring your pups on this hike, we saw at least 7 or 8 other dogs, and most of them were unleashed so be ready to grab and lift if that's your protocol. The climb to the lookout is gradual and not too intense, an has several lovely creeks you cross over on swithbacks. The old growth through this forest is breathtaking, and you will spot several giant spruces to drool at.

We saw a wild basset in the river bed.

Toilet, that-a-way!

As you reach the viewpoint, be careful of steep cliffs, which have been fatal to some hikers who were a bit too curious. Make sure and leash the dogs here. This is the Salmon River Canyon, apparently in the 1960s this was a planned route to be paved to connect to Highway 26. However it is now forever protected based on a Forest Service Legislation in the 80s. Thank goodness for that! She's a beaut Clark! Apparently there are some waterfalls just out of sight below the ridge, however we weren't brave enough to investigate this day. We spent an hour hiking in the dark back to the car, we got to try out the dogs new collar lights! And also realize how badly we needed new batteries in our headlamps :)

Really lovely view up top. We saw an owl gliding all about just before we headed back down but lost it before we could grab at the binoculars!

My best girl. Love you Mags.

Smith Rock State Park to Crystal Crane Hot Springs/Harney County backroads and bone hunting, Stinking Water Creek Area, Valentines Day weekend, 2015.

Destination Crystal Crane Hot Springs, one of our favorite places in Oregon. We always change up the stops on the way to Crystal Crane, as it is a 7 hour drive, and there is just so much good stuff to see in Central and Eastern Oregon. We had such awesome weather for February, so we decided to get a few hikes in. First stop, Smith Rock State Park in Terrabonne, Deschutes County. Here is a fun video of the the Misery Ridge Loop hike that we did. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBWpb5Pl3cc. The dogs did pretty well considering the incline and the heat today, but the water break on top was definitely anticipated! This is such a gorgeous area, there were a lot of beatiful water fowl, and we saw the world's largest goose at the top of a ridge. At first we thought it was Kevin from "UP", by the size of the thing. Good for him.

Smith Rock before we started Misery Ridge Loop Trail.

The traditional Maggie and Mom pose mid kiss.I also got to try out my new pack today! Been waiting a few years for the right one to show up at the right price and I took the plunge on a great deal from Sierra Trading Post. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/mountain-hardwear-napali-50-backpack-internal-frame-for-women~p~3232x/?filterString=s~mountain-hardware-backpack%2F&colorFamily=02. I used an extra 45 percent off coupon I got from their dealflyer emails, and got the pack for 79 bucks, down from the original $190! And I absolutely love it. I got the 50 liter, thinking it may be too big, but its just right! I even use it on day hikes because it is so lightweight and convenient to pack with the roll top and bottom, top and side access zippers. Honestly the best purchase I made this year.



Maggles looking down valley about a quarter way up the trail.



Monkey Face from the lee side of misery ridge.

Don't ever make us do that again!

Back Seat Driver

Smith Rock State Park on a beautiful February day.

Next on our trip was Crystal Crane Hot Springs, via whatever random dirt road Tim could find. We ended up making it there by 7pm, with time to stop and stock up at the Burns, OR Safeway. We got set up in our cabin, and soaked and played trivia games and had a wonderful time. The next morning we took a short drive in to the teeny tiny town of Crane, OR. And ventured down some dirt roads to find some bones and look at some eagles (7 dollar goodwill binoculars sure came in handy).

I suppose this is the vortex of "Stinking Water Creek Area". It wasn't too stinky, but you could tell how many different critters have been here for the water. Still couldn't believe this weather!

Just showing off my MEC short gaitors that I bought in Edmonton. I am a big fan of these. None of the big bulkiness of full sized gaitors, and they still keep all bits and water out of your boots. They are worh every penny!

This is my happy place. This is my slice of heaven. Crystal Crane Hot Springs, we come here several times a year, it is worth the 7 hour drive as we always make a road trip out of it and stop at holes in the wall, and bone hunting nowheres throughout central and eastern Oregon. Dog friendly cabins, private tubs if you'd prefe, and a community kitchen/common area.

Crystal Crane in all its glory.



Some treasures we found in the Stinking Water Creek Area just east of Crystal Crane Hot Springs, near the town of Crane itself, off a forest road.

This is the happiest 11 year old bassador you are going to find in Oregon today.

Go Tigers.

This is the general area of random roads that Tim took to get us to and from Crystal Crane this time. It's always a new adventure. Perhaps the road will be there, perhaps it won't. And you'll probably pass several boarded up mini towns that appear to be a film set for a Rob Zombie film. You just never know what will come next.

Just needs a little paint.