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!

A typical view mid-trail

Trail hounds happy to be back in the woods!

Best friends

The girls

Maggie is getting braver in her old age!

Taking a break on Indian Beach

Alone on Crescent Beach

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.