Month: July 2023

  • 20230704 Yellowjacket Creek, GPNF

    20230704 Yellowjacket Creek, GPNF

    While camped down along the Cispus River, I explored the lower reaches of Yellowjacket Creek, and found a great swimming hole! Images taken along Yellowjacket Creek, Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 3.8 miles hiked, with 107 feet of elevation gain, and a whole lotta getting wet.

  • 20230703 Tongue Mountain Hike GPNF

    20230703 Tongue Mountain Hike GPNF

    I wanted to hike the long ridge, but the bugs drove me back down the mountain after I’d made only so far as Tongue Mountain. Bugs, and the realization I didn’t have enough water for the dozen or more miles to the next water. So I exited via the logging road and set up camp…

  • 20230626 Jumbo Peak Hike, GPNF

    20230626 Jumbo Peak Hike, GPNF

    After everyone left Sunday, I spent Monday hiking up to Jumbo Peak via the Dark Meadow Trail, making it a loop by returning via the USFS 2324 Road. It was a gorgeous day, with the threat of weather, but nothing ever materialized, beyond some thunder. Images taken June 26, 2023 along the Dark Mountain Trail…

  • 20230625 Takhlakh Wander, GPNF

    20230625 Takhlakh Wander, GPNF

    Another family campout, but with the whole family this time – Barry, Katie, Liam, and Luke. Except for the clouds of mosquitoes, we again had a really great time. The boys and I explored some of the trails around the campsite, and the next day went on a geo-caching adventure on the lava flow at…

  • 20230617 Green Mountain Loop Hike GPNF

    20230617 Green Mountain Loop Hike GPNF

    After spending the weekend with Barry and Liam up at Orr Creek, I was reminded of a loop I’d been wanting to do for some time, having been turned back by snow on my last attempt a few years ago. So, I parked at the Green Mountain TH along the 5601 Rd, and set out…

  • 20230527 Family Campout at Orr Creek GPNF

    20230527 Family Campout at Orr Creek GPNF

    My brother Barry and nephew Liam joined me for a weekend campout alonside Orr Creek, GPNF. We had a great time, did some exploring, and even a hike to Horseshoe Lake, and very much enjoyed Liam’s first campout complete with tent, campfire, roasted marshmallows, and starry night skies. After they left on Sunday, I sought…

  • 20230503 Tieton Valley Hike

    20230503 Tieton Valley Hike

    Having driven across Oregon, camped alongside the highway outside Goldendale, and about to drive up White Pass… I thought I might take a break along the Tieton River for a walk. Here’s what I saw…

  • 20230503 Swick Old Growth Loop Walk

    20230503 Swick Old Growth Loop Walk

    On my way home from the desert, I stopped by this old growth interpretive walk along Hwy 395 outside Canyon City, OR.

  • 20230501-02 Alvord Desert

    20230501-02 Alvord Desert

    I finally made it to Big Sand Gap – and camped under the stars on the playa. And there was a haboob! (Well, the last straggly remnants of one, at least.) Also, true to form, it rained.