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!

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

Klickitat River Trail, South Cascades, Columbia Gorge, Washington

We visited the Klickitat River Trail this week, and were treated with warm weather, gorgeous views, and found some bone treasures. Click the link for details on the trail.

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/klickitat-rail-trail

The Wild and Scenic Klickitat River. 

There is a sign about leashing your dogs on the trail (this is Chloe just before leashing I promise!) Apparently they have had a few unfortunate incidents involving dogs on the trail this last season, whether it be from rattlsnakes, or "unfriendly neighbors with guns that don't want dogs on their property". Regardless, we kept them on leash the whole way, we only went 2 miles there and back, but the trail goes for 10.5 miles, so perhaps there are some sketchy areas further in.

Using my new Goodwill binoculars that I got for $6.00!!! To watch the natives catch Chinook Salmon. There were DIY platforms all over the river, and they had so many salmon, this must be a hot spot!

Tim took this picture of the Native Lady Fisherman, using the digital camera, through the binocular lense, pretty cool!

some of the platforms you can see all down the river.

Bone treasures! So beautiful.

Back Home and in full Cuddle Puddle mode.