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.

ELK MEADOWS: Mt Hood Wilderness; Newton Creek

Maggie excited to be out on an adventure. It's been almost a month! (poor dogs right?) :)

Tim and I took a week day and drove out to Mt Hood Wilderness to do the ELK MEADOWS HIKE (click the link for the Portland Hiker's Field Guide reference page). This hike is moderate, 5 miles, and best time to go is Summer to Early Fall, any later the Newton Creek crossing gets a little sketchy. It was such a beautiful day, here are some pictures!



Stopped by the Barlow Trail and Pioneer Woman's grave turnoff to take a look at this view. One of my favorites. (same viewpoint as the cover photo for the blog).




Not sure how this tree got these hash marks... It looks very intentional and geometric, any ideas?




A nice peak at Mt Hood just after you start the uphill switchbacks from Newton Creek.



Branch Jenga

waterfall of branches, a secret spring was coming from underneath. Fairy land!

Adventure Dogs.

A lovely view from a clearing along the trail, this is about one mile in on the uphill switchbacks past Newton Creek.




The trails are really well marked in this area. There are several turn offs but you shouldnt have trouble staying on the right path! About 3/4 of a mile past this sign, we saw about 3 female perigrine falcons taking a bath together. It was so awesome!!!

Chloe Breault-y at Elk Meadows. This is a great place to camp, read, take a nap, and just take it all in!

INDIAN RACETRACK HIKE: Falls Creek Horse Camp Trailhead

LINK FOR DIRECTIONS: http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Indian_racetrack_hike

Not too much to stay about this hike. We had a great time, but we zigged where we should have zagged and did a completely random trail that ended nowhere. Read your directions/map! This time of year the whole Indian Heaven area is loaded with mosquitoes, so beware of that as well.

Note: Park your car at the trailhead sign, then turnaround and cross the forest road and enter the trail that way. If you go straight into the forest from the trailhead, you end up with a nice jaunt in the woods, but I'm sure the other way is better!

Wildflower!



Cicada and former Cicada! 



The Girls!

SIOUXON CREEK HIKE ("SOO-sahn"): Gifford Pinchot swimming, hiking, biking, great family spot!

LINK FOR DIRECTIONS: http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Siouxon_Creek_Hike

We originally found the information about this hike in this book. Best book ever for people like us, who generally stick around the greater Portland region and can't go in too far (because of Chloe's 6" long legs). Anywho, Siouxon Creek! Awesome spot. We only went about 2.2 miles in to Siouxon Falls, which is a pretty triple tier fall that has some pools you can take a dip in. We set up camp on a ledge below the falls. It was great to hear the falls rushing down while we fell asleep. The water here, while nowhere close to warm, seems to be a bit warmer than other area waterways, like the Clackamas or Washougal.

There are millions of swimming holes along this hike. We picked one randomly that offered a great sunny spot to cool of on a hot day. We'll definitely be back!

View from the top

The last bit of trail looking down to our campsite.

Chloe was sad about it.

Chloe dug her self a bed for a pre-bed nap.

Mountain goat-dogs

View from camp.

Virginia contemplating her existence.

So many beautiful pools along the hike.

Ferngully

One of several spots to access the creek and go for a dip!

Miners Lettuce all over the place lining the forest roads!

This was my old faithful Jansport's last backpacking trip. Time to get fancy with a newer pack. These things will sure last a million years though. I'm just ready for the comfort and the lighter weight of a modern pack.

As mentioned, we only made it to the first falls. We had intended to get up early and go further along the trail to Chinook Falls, but Tim slept waaaaay late, and then spent the rest of the afternoon tying knots and swimming, so that plan didn't quite work out.

Quick side note: You'll probably be surprised at the number of cars at the trailhead lot, because it's pretty far from anywhere. Most of these cars are likely going to be day-use folks, as it's a pretty popular mountain bike trail. There are multiple camping spots all along the trail at pretty regular intervals, so you'll find a spot! 

I almost forgot! Lots of awesome critters up here! Found this centipede hanging out midnight-ish. Also saw a northern red backed-salamander with a bright yellow back! No Sasquatch yet :(