.Hike Mondays.: February 2015

Gorge Trail #400, Middle/Upper Oneanta Bridge, Horse Tail Falls

We are so spoiled living this close to the Columbia Gorge, but we find that the trails often have too many people for our liking, so we don't really end up there too much. We decided to check out some trails here that we've not done, and found some pretty cool spots!

Searching for Eagles. Haven't seen many at all this year.

Another sunny Portland winter day. We're getting used to it this year.

View of the the Columbia from a low point on the trail

Skeletor

Kalama Horse Camp, Toutle Trail, Mt. Hood; February 2015

Well, we originally intended to do this trail, but it turns out the forest road is closed in the winter, although none of the research I did beforehand suggested that. Oh well, that will happen in the winter sometimes. Luckily, the road was closed right at Kalama Horse Camp, which just so happened to be a trailhead for the Toutle Trail. How great in the Pacific Northwest?!

Lots of washout on the trail

Most-of-family photo

This trail had a very cool look to it. Lots of flat spots, lots of moss, lots of green. Very unique looking in some areas.

Fungus

Maggie and mom

Maggie living on the edge

Fully stocked: Dog leashes, binoculars, pocket knife, bear spray.

It's real touch to tell in this photo, but you'll have to take our word for it...that indentation in the mud is a sizeable fresh bear print. While we had the bear spray, we decided to turn around. Better safe than sorry, especially with the dogs.

Chloe the wood nymph

After our aborted mission on the Toutle trail, we pushed on towards to Ape Caves. We had no intention of going in (dogs don't like dark caves), so we did the .25 mile Tale of Two Forests Interpretive Trail, which is a cool little trail explaining the history of Mt. St. Helens and how it changed the landscape of the forest. There are cool lava tubes that you can spelunk through as well. Very cool.

Trillium Lake, Mt. Hood; Snowless February 2015

Trillium Lake is generally a snowshoeing trail this time of year, but it has been a crazy warm/dry year in the PNW, so although it was a bit soggy out today, the road to Trillium, although closed to vehicular traffic, was almost comletely snow-free. It's a quick 2 miles (or so) from the gate to the lake. There is also a 1.9 mile loop around the lake which we have done before, but didn't have the daylight to do it this time.

Maggie and Virginia in the usual pose

Maggie testing out the ice

This ice patch looks just like an upside down salmon

Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach, OR; January 2015

We have been on something of a hiking hiatus lately due to the holidays and related travel, but were glad to return to the foggy PNW to check out some trails we haven't been on in a while. A family favorite in the hike from Ecola State Park down to Crescent Beach.There are two trailheads from the parking lot of the park, one which goes towards Indian Beach, and one that goes toward Crescent Beach. The Crescent Beach trail is 2.4 miles (round trip) of muddy, foggy, awesome Old Growth (this time of year anyway.) The beach is generally deserted, and is a great place to let the dogs lose their minds!