NINE MILE RIDGE: North Fork Umatilla Wilderness

Here is a link for directions.

http://www.lesstravelednorthwest.com/oregon_northeast/ninemile_ridge/ninemile_ridge.html

We made a pretty last minute decision to get out of town for a quick trip, so decided to try to find some hikes in the Pendleton area. After consulting our Oregon Gazatteer and some internet research, we decided on Nine-Mile Ridge, north of Pendleton in the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness Area.

The drive up to the North Fork is amazing. After driving for a while in central Oregon wheatland, you end up in a very dense and lush area, very unlike the rest of the area.  The trail was also unique for us, as a lot of it was treeless and open. It was a bit misty at the trailhead, and started dumping about an hour into our hike. It got so heavy that we had to turn around in hopes we didn't lose the trail on the way out!

Buck Creek Trailhead is your starting  point. There is a few sweet camp spots about 100 yards in, just on the creek. We will be returning to camp this summer!

We left Portland after work at about 2am, drove straight ot Pendleton, and arrived at the trailhead right at 6am. It is quite breathtaking out here! (FYI the above picture is not at the trailhead, you need to continue past this sign)



This inchworm tried to stow-away in the Kia on the way home. Flexible little cutie.

Dream land.

We walked in to a snow globe. It was the most beautiful of surprises. What a gorgeous way to spend your morning.

 We saw several sweet critters on the drive back to Pendleton.



PANTHER CREEK FALLS: Skamania County, Washington

Click the link for directions on this secret magic beauty.

http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/falls.php?num=5248

So we've been on a losing streak trying to get to high-ish elevation trails lately. We've been getting turned around by snow on a pretty regular basis, as is pretty common this time of year. On this particular day, we were heading for some hiking in the Indian Heaven area, but got turned around well short of our goal (miles before the trailhead, even!). So we took the hounds on some forest roads to stretch our legs. On the way back down Panther Creek Rd., Virginia noticed a deck that appeared to be hanging over a bluff in the middle of the woods. We were unfortunately out of time for the day, so we had to split. When we returned a week later, we found the very short trail down to the Panther Creek Falls overlook. What a great spot! There are two trails, one very steep descent to get down to the bottom of the falls, and another well-maintained and very east stroll to the overlook.  

The steep trail down to the base of the falls. Someone has tied off some climbing ropes to assist with the descent.

One of several roads we ran in to that were snowed in. We will have to come back later in the spring to hike Indian Heaven.

Bat-dog.

Cape Horn overlook. The first time I've ever actually stopped to snap a photo of this view of Hwy 14, so "gorge-ous", get it? OK OK, lame I know.

A few photos from our first attempt to find Panther Creek Falls. We ended up driving up a random forest road and taking a long walk in the rain, then stopped by the still-closed Panther Creek Campground.

SQUAW MT TRAIL aka TUMALA MT: Eagle Creek Wilderness

Portland Hikers Field Guide link:

http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Squaw_Mountain_Hike

So we had to try this one twice before we could get to the summit, because we ran into surprisingly deep snow both times, but we were able to get the top with a little effort and wayfinding the second time.  Take note that the trailhead directions on the above link are not the way we went.  Follow OR-224 just past Estacada, take a left on Surface Rd, then a right on Tumala Mtn Rd, then go approx. 14.4 miles to the trailhead. We opted for the Fulton trailhead, as the more common Old Baldy trailhead was snowed in. They both get you where you need to go. The hike is a quick 4.4 out and back with a fantastic panoramic view of Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, and the Squaw Lakes basin. There is even the remains of an old fire lookout.

Old Baldy Trail and Twin Springs Junction

Snow line.

Family photo on our second attempt, a few weeks later, late May.

Still hit snow, Tim made it to the top to the "ruins" of an old fire cabin. The pups and I stayed down about 1/10 of a mile from the top, the snow mounds were just a little much for our lady feet.

Nice view of Hood/Jefferson at the top of Squaw Mt.

This is a great trail for a "deep woodsy" feel, relatively close to Portland.