Category: Exploring
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20240825 Scouting along Cortright Ridge, USFS 45-077 Rd, GPNF
Thinking about the Orogenesis Trail, and wondering what’s at the end of the USFS 45-077 Rd. Does any kind of trail continue from there toward the USFS 1284 Rd? Spoiler: It does not. But I had a very enjoyable day exploring this road. Images taken August 25, 2024 along USFS 45-077 Rd, GPNF 6.84 miles…
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20240722 Backbone Ridge Ramble, GPNF
Not much to write about for this one… after spending a lovely evening alongside the Muddy Fork, and not quite ready to wade back acoss the river to head home, I decided to check in on Backbone Lake. I also explored some of the 1270 Road beyond the trail head, then wrapped up my ramble…
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20240717 Exploring Lone Tree Mountain, GPNF
Joined fellow ancient trail explorer Gabriel Amadeus Tiller in exploring Lone Tree Mountain for a possible routing of the Orogenesis Trail. First thought: Impossible! Especially after my previous exploration of the area just above Camp Creek Falls. On getting back to my overnight campsite at the 5508-019 spur (de-commed, great site!), my tune has changed.…
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20240519 Camp Creek, GPNF
Spent the night at Cispus, and then spent a rainy day exploring Camp Creek, above the falls. Gabe has me thinking about a trail up Lone Tree Mountain. I followed a faint trace up the mountain to a dog-leg in the old, abandoned logging road, but the landscape looked steeper and rougher than I wanted…
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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.
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20200203 Nisqually-BFJ NWR
Mike and I spent an afternoon walking about the Billy Frank Jr., Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge