Tag: GPNF
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20230916 Lost Hat Lake, GPNF
I’ve long wanted to get up into this high country above Packwood, along the very top of the Coal Creek Mountain. I tried once before, but got turned back by snow. And the entire area has been closed d/t the wildfire last summer, until just this past week. So, up I go! I start out…
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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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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…
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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…
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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…
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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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20220919-26 Big Ass Hike 2022
Vacation! I celebrated by taking a weekend to rest and prep, then I took a Big Ass Hike, then back home for another week to do some projects I had been wanted to finish. For my hike, I had Mike drop me off at outside of Packwood at Johnson Creek Road, around 5 PM Sunday…
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20220724-26 Potato Hill to Muddy Fork Cispus River MAW
Heat wave!! Nothing to do but head for the mountains. Besides escaping the heat, I’ve new boots to field test, and flowers should be putting on a good show at elevation. My new Salewa ‘Crow’ hiking boots are a dream. Truly. Thank you Barry for helping me get those. I’m in love. I arrived at…
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20220703-05 Tahklahk GPNF
A quick trip for some downtime at Takhlakh lake. No big hike, just some moderate dayhiking. I camped along USFS 2359 Rd, which wraps around a portion of the lake, but over the low ridge, the road was still blocked by snow a short distance further up. I enjoyed a hike up the East Canyon…
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20210816 Tatoosh Mtn, GPNF
Low-key weekday retreat to the river for some soul-healing, and some sole-healing. I’ve hurt my foot, so I needed to take it easy. I decided to drive up to Packwood and find someplace along the river – the weather was forecast to be cool, cloudy, and dampish, with really low overnight temps. Sweet! I arrived…