Done w California and Oregon! Washington here we come... this trip is going by way too fast! Longer update to come later... too busy w resupply to write a thoughtful message. Stay tuned
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Mile 1,932 La Pine, OR
Almost halfway through Oregon!
It's funny how it takes us over 3 months to hike through California, but only 9 days in and we're almost halfway through Oregon. I guess this is because Oregon is better... just joking :) Oregon has flatter trail, smoother trail, and the trail generally follows a northerly route whereas the PCT in California winds around the crest following the mountains in every which direction, sometimes giving you the impression that you're getting closer to Mexico and not Canada.
Anyways, over the past several days after our stop in Ashland, we've been pushing bigger days through Oregon, riding along the crest of the Southern and Central Oregon mountains. Every now and then we get the opportunity to hike to a viewpoint and see all the high points (in elevation) that the trail follows. For example, from Southern Oregon, we could see Mt. McLaughlin, Crater Lake's rim, and Mt. Thielsen in the distance. In between the peaks lay the lower and flatter forest floor that we have to cross which can take hours until the next view. In Oregon, we definitely get our daily does of trees to look at. Reaching Crater Lake was a big moral boost and an amazing experience. After reaching Mazama Village to resupply, we hiked up 4 miles to the crater rim and were greeted with the most amazing view of Crater Lake arguably the most sublime spectacle in Oregon (unfortunately there were many tourists as well because it's a national park). After a short break, we hiked from the lake's south to west rim with changing views of the lake and amazing golden light from the setting sun. The view of the mountain side of the west rim was amazing with Mt. Thielsen, Diamond Peak, and 3 Sisters all in the distance.
From Crater Lake to Diamond Peak we were bombarded by mosquitoes, the worst of the trail to date. 100% DEET could not prevent me from getting bit all over my body. However, mosquitoes aside we had a amazing time hiking through this section and experienced the most snow on the trail to date along the north rim of Diamond Peak. The other day, my parents met us at Willamette Pass for breakfast and dropped off my sister to hike an 18mi section to Charlton Lake. From there, we rode to my grandparent's house in La Pine for a nice zero day full of food, drink, and good company.
Next stop is Sisters, Mt. Hood, and Portland! I can't wait to walk through the 3 sisters wilderness, Mt. Hood, etc.
Other things to mention:
-I've been hiking with Data, Ant Eater, and Pilfer since Ashland
-Oregon has milder temperatures and a ton of trees
-We've been pushing bigger mile days to meet my parents here (hiked my first 35 mile day after Crater Lake, followed by a 31 and then 24 mile day to get us at mile 1,932)
-Good to see the family again and see their reactions to my hairy face
-Looking forward to the rest of Oregon and Washington!
...To Be Continued
Video:
Video of Crater Lake Rim: Take 1
Video of Crater Lake Rim: Take 2
Photos:
It's funny how it takes us over 3 months to hike through California, but only 9 days in and we're almost halfway through Oregon. I guess this is because Oregon is better... just joking :) Oregon has flatter trail, smoother trail, and the trail generally follows a northerly route whereas the PCT in California winds around the crest following the mountains in every which direction, sometimes giving you the impression that you're getting closer to Mexico and not Canada.
Anyways, over the past several days after our stop in Ashland, we've been pushing bigger days through Oregon, riding along the crest of the Southern and Central Oregon mountains. Every now and then we get the opportunity to hike to a viewpoint and see all the high points (in elevation) that the trail follows. For example, from Southern Oregon, we could see Mt. McLaughlin, Crater Lake's rim, and Mt. Thielsen in the distance. In between the peaks lay the lower and flatter forest floor that we have to cross which can take hours until the next view. In Oregon, we definitely get our daily does of trees to look at. Reaching Crater Lake was a big moral boost and an amazing experience. After reaching Mazama Village to resupply, we hiked up 4 miles to the crater rim and were greeted with the most amazing view of Crater Lake arguably the most sublime spectacle in Oregon (unfortunately there were many tourists as well because it's a national park). After a short break, we hiked from the lake's south to west rim with changing views of the lake and amazing golden light from the setting sun. The view of the mountain side of the west rim was amazing with Mt. Thielsen, Diamond Peak, and 3 Sisters all in the distance.
From Crater Lake to Diamond Peak we were bombarded by mosquitoes, the worst of the trail to date. 100% DEET could not prevent me from getting bit all over my body. However, mosquitoes aside we had a amazing time hiking through this section and experienced the most snow on the trail to date along the north rim of Diamond Peak. The other day, my parents met us at Willamette Pass for breakfast and dropped off my sister to hike an 18mi section to Charlton Lake. From there, we rode to my grandparent's house in La Pine for a nice zero day full of food, drink, and good company.
Next stop is Sisters, Mt. Hood, and Portland! I can't wait to walk through the 3 sisters wilderness, Mt. Hood, etc.
Other things to mention:
-I've been hiking with Data, Ant Eater, and Pilfer since Ashland
-Oregon has milder temperatures and a ton of trees
-We've been pushing bigger mile days to meet my parents here (hiked my first 35 mile day after Crater Lake, followed by a 31 and then 24 mile day to get us at mile 1,932)
-Good to see the family again and see their reactions to my hairy face
-Looking forward to the rest of Oregon and Washington!
...To Be Continued
Video:
Video of Crater Lake Rim: Take 1
Video of Crater Lake Rim: Take 2
Photos:
 |
| The team on Crater Lake's South Rim |
 |
| Pilfer crossing one of the larger snow fields on our trek next to Mt. Thielsen |
 |
| Ant Eater chilling next to Stuart Falls (dipped in for a cold shower, very cold) |
 |
| Found this at our campsite next to Stuart Falls. Was very appropriate |
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Ashland, OREGON!!! Mile 1,727, Day 94
I'm at a computer again!
The past several weeks have been quite amazing, unfortunately I was unable to update this blog due to lack of computer use / cell phone coverage, but to be honest I couldn't be happier to be off the grid.
Hiking through Northern California has been such a dynamic experience. Sierra City, Belden, Old and Old Station, Shasta, Etna, and Seiad Valley (in the 'State of Jefferson') were small little 'towns' for hikers to visit. As we hiked from town to town, we approached the first volcano of the Cascade Mountains (to be debated) called Mt. Lassen. Seeing a solo volcano definitely boosted my moralle and reminded me that we were actually making some northward progress... and then, we saw Mt. Shasta from Old Station! Still hundreds of miles away, Mt. Shasta was peaking out through the distant clouds and was calling our name. We started hiking faster and longer days (26-32mi) just to get closer to the mountain. Besides for the long and flat 30mi waterless stretch of Hat Creek Rim, we were ridge hiking the mountains of the Shasta-Triniy Winderness. Dodging poison oak, we finally made it to Shasta for our resupply.
After Shasta, we headed towards the hiker-friendliest town yet of Etna. This small town was full of smiles and we were greeted very warmly (somebody even bought me a Lime Rickedy). After a quick tour of the town, we spent the afternoon at the local watering hole, the Etna Brewery where I enjoyed many glasses of their delicious IPA. Eventually we got a hitch back to the trail by 4 young forest service guys (their pickup bed wasn't the most comfortable ride but it got us there). We ran into the Caballeros who were trying to hitch into town. A few minutes later more hikers were being dropped back off to the trail and we ended up having a little pow-wow before continuing the hike. Let's just say we only made it 2 miles in before calling it a day (originally planning to hike an additional 10-12 miles).
The hike from Shasta to Seiad Valley was in my opinion the prettiest part of Northern California. I was not expecting this much beauty and plan to come back another time to explore this area. We first hiked through the gorgeous Trinity Alps where we met some spiritual dwellers who gave us pieces of locally caught smoked salmon from the Salmon River (fishing rights only allowed to indegenous people). In the morning times, the Trinity peaks seemed very far away almost at the horrizon, but by evening we were camped right in the middle of them. Then we traveled through the beautiful Russian Wilderness which has a challenging ridge climb with views of its amazing granite canyon. Finally we hiked through the Marble Mountain Wilderness before dropping into HOT Seiad Valley located just miles form Oregon. After a quick stop in Seiad, we walked down the road and camped in a dirt lot next to the Klamath River to prepare for the big climb out of the river basin the next day. The climb ended up being very beautify and winded through the Red Butte Wilderness until we hit the OREGON BORDER!
OREGON!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm home, for the next 450 odd miles! It feels very good to be in a differnt state and further north. We are now passed the halfway point and have less than 1000 miles before Canada. Ashland has been such a relief. We drank some good Caldera brew last night, checked out Lithia Park, and have time to relax. I met up with a ol buddy Reed who lives here and he was so generous as to give us a ride around town yesterday.
To Be Continued...
Other things to mention:
-I'm still hiking with Ant Eater and now with Pilfer since Old Station (leap frogging other great people as well)
-Super excited to be back in Oregon!
-Food in town taste delicious
-I've heard of wild fires South of us that have cut the trail off (good thing we've made it to Oregon, but I hope we're fire free until Canada)
-Still have not experienced rain... and warm weather forecasted = no bueno
-I cut my hair today haha, still keeping the beard though to the border
Video:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/74583578/VID_20120722_082039.3gp -Trying to hitch into Shasta
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/74583578/VID_20120714_112634.3gp - Reaching the halfway point (mile 1,326ish)
The past several weeks have been quite amazing, unfortunately I was unable to update this blog due to lack of computer use / cell phone coverage, but to be honest I couldn't be happier to be off the grid.
Hiking through Northern California has been such a dynamic experience. Sierra City, Belden, Old and Old Station, Shasta, Etna, and Seiad Valley (in the 'State of Jefferson') were small little 'towns' for hikers to visit. As we hiked from town to town, we approached the first volcano of the Cascade Mountains (to be debated) called Mt. Lassen. Seeing a solo volcano definitely boosted my moralle and reminded me that we were actually making some northward progress... and then, we saw Mt. Shasta from Old Station! Still hundreds of miles away, Mt. Shasta was peaking out through the distant clouds and was calling our name. We started hiking faster and longer days (26-32mi) just to get closer to the mountain. Besides for the long and flat 30mi waterless stretch of Hat Creek Rim, we were ridge hiking the mountains of the Shasta-Triniy Winderness. Dodging poison oak, we finally made it to Shasta for our resupply.
After Shasta, we headed towards the hiker-friendliest town yet of Etna. This small town was full of smiles and we were greeted very warmly (somebody even bought me a Lime Rickedy). After a quick tour of the town, we spent the afternoon at the local watering hole, the Etna Brewery where I enjoyed many glasses of their delicious IPA. Eventually we got a hitch back to the trail by 4 young forest service guys (their pickup bed wasn't the most comfortable ride but it got us there). We ran into the Caballeros who were trying to hitch into town. A few minutes later more hikers were being dropped back off to the trail and we ended up having a little pow-wow before continuing the hike. Let's just say we only made it 2 miles in before calling it a day (originally planning to hike an additional 10-12 miles).
The hike from Shasta to Seiad Valley was in my opinion the prettiest part of Northern California. I was not expecting this much beauty and plan to come back another time to explore this area. We first hiked through the gorgeous Trinity Alps where we met some spiritual dwellers who gave us pieces of locally caught smoked salmon from the Salmon River (fishing rights only allowed to indegenous people). In the morning times, the Trinity peaks seemed very far away almost at the horrizon, but by evening we were camped right in the middle of them. Then we traveled through the beautiful Russian Wilderness which has a challenging ridge climb with views of its amazing granite canyon. Finally we hiked through the Marble Mountain Wilderness before dropping into HOT Seiad Valley located just miles form Oregon. After a quick stop in Seiad, we walked down the road and camped in a dirt lot next to the Klamath River to prepare for the big climb out of the river basin the next day. The climb ended up being very beautify and winded through the Red Butte Wilderness until we hit the OREGON BORDER!
OREGON!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm home, for the next 450 odd miles! It feels very good to be in a differnt state and further north. We are now passed the halfway point and have less than 1000 miles before Canada. Ashland has been such a relief. We drank some good Caldera brew last night, checked out Lithia Park, and have time to relax. I met up with a ol buddy Reed who lives here and he was so generous as to give us a ride around town yesterday.
To Be Continued...
Other things to mention:
-I'm still hiking with Ant Eater and now with Pilfer since Old Station (leap frogging other great people as well)
-Super excited to be back in Oregon!
-Food in town taste delicious
-I've heard of wild fires South of us that have cut the trail off (good thing we've made it to Oregon, but I hope we're fire free until Canada)
-Still have not experienced rain... and warm weather forecasted = no bueno
-I cut my hair today haha, still keeping the beard though to the border
Video:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/74583578/VID_20120722_082039.3gp -Trying to hitch into Shasta
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/74583578/VID_20120714_112634.3gp - Reaching the halfway point (mile 1,326ish)
Pic of the Oregon/California Border
The Group leaving Seiad Valley (me, ant eater, data, and pilfer)
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