STRAWBERRY LAKE(wildfire weekend): via Fossil/John Day/Strawberry Mountains

Some late photos of our trip to Strawberry Lake and the Strawberry Mountains last month. Click the Portland Hikers link for more information. Strawberry Mountain Loop. We had to delay this trip the first week because of several uncontrolled wildfires in the area, we passed several brand new fires on our drive out, and back home on this trip. (see pictures below). We are so grateful for all the selfless fire workers and volunteers, and can't imagine how hard they are all working to try and keep us, and all the animals in the area as safe as possible. Thank you!

Chloe the camo Basset.

Smoky Oregon.

Giant Bug friends. He kept trying to play Yahtzee with us. I approve.

This may have been the Murderer's Creek/Wilderness Fire, or the beginning of it.

Murderer's Creek Wildfire. Malhuer National Forest.

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!

SOUTHERN LOOP: Crater Lake, Ashland, Redwoods via Crescent City, Oregon Coast

Tim and I were able to sneak in an extra camping trip last month. We hit up Crater Lake, Klamath Falls, Ashland, Redwoods, then back up the Oregon Coast up to Gold Beach, then east back home. It was lovely! (Also pretend like Tim's eyes are open!)



We opted to stay at the Lost Creek Campground, follow the link for more details. http://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm, 16 sites, first come, first serve. They call this the "primitive" campground. But it still has a nice bathroom, firepits, bear food-vaults, and picnic tables. Not so primitive to us!!



Crater Lake Lodge in the background. Fun with love and shadows.

We camped for a night outside of Ashland, using Tim's campfinder app on this iphone. (It has been very handy when we are doing just quick one-nighter drive-in camping!)

 

This has been a very harsh season for wild fires, and drought. Here is an example of how smoky, and how dry it was in Southern Oregon this summer. A few weeks after we returned from this trip, Weed Oregon, a nearby town, suffered a catastrophic fire. The "Boles" Fire can be read about here http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Firefighters-make-headway-in-destructive-Weed-5758830.php

Tent snuggles.

 

We stopped for a road side attraction in Gold Hill, Oregon, called the "Oregon Mystery House", or the "Oregon Vortex" http://www.oregonvortex.com/. Check it out! it was definitely worth the ten dollar tour!

Six Mile.. The most magical swimming hole ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Click the link for more info on this magical plae along the Scenic and Wild Illinois River in Cave Junction, OR.
SIX MILE CAMPGROUND AND EPIC SWIMMING HOLE

So many fishies!!

 

 

Apparently someone stole this sign not too long after we came through. I love the #crosscountryorbust

Hello giant magical trees, I've missed you.

 

Smith River along Jedediah State Park. Tim swam, I watched (some of that fungus gave me the ewies)

And there he is swimming :)

Ewok Town... Such Beauties!

So many trees to hug.

 

Stopped to let the dogs frolic along the ocean outside of Brookings.

Used the camp finder app to locate this campground in Gold Beach, Oregon. It was just perfect, and we asked the camp host for the best spot. Check out the website for more informationLOBSTER CREEK CAMPGROUND. You can walk right down to the Rogue River. (photo below)

We saw several fly fisherman down the river, late at night, and lots and lots of fish jumping! So many bugs to eat!

We stopped to stretch our legs on the side of the road, and took a short trail down to the Umpqua River. A beautiful last day on the road.

 

 

This Crawdad had  turned the prettiest color of turqoise and pink from the sun.

Tim in his element. Back home, off the Washougal River.