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Coastal Range Hiking Oregon Trip report

Corvallis to Sea Trail (Sugar Bowl Creek Segment) – 1/27/2024

Our 2024 hiking year has gotten off to a bit of a rocky start. We try and get a hike in on New Years Day, but I was dealing with COVID for the first time. Then an ice storm arrived just as I was feeling up to hiking. With the final weekend of January being our last chance to get a January hike in we resolved to head out regardless of the weather if it was at all possible.

Heading into the month our plan had been to visit Forest Park in Portland to hike a section of the Wildwood Trail that we haven’t before, but the ice storm hit Portland hard resulting in lots of downed trees so we were in need of a Plan B. While no ice or snow was forecast, an atmospheric river was heading in which carried the possibility of bringing several inches of rain between Friday and Sunday so we were looking for an appropriate hike. Fortunately, we recently became members of the Hike Oregon website and one of the members only hikes there is a section of the Corvallis to Sea Trail. The hike was also listed as a good rainy-day hike, so it seemed like the prefect Plan B. The Corvallis to Sea Trail, or C2C Trail, is a 60-mile route connecting the city of Corvallis, OR to the Oregon Coast at Ona Beach State Park (post). Much of the trail is on roads which may be abandoned or gated and others open to vehicle traffic. For more information on the entire trail please visit the C2C Trail’s official website.

Our intent was to start our hike by parking at “The 4-way”, a 4-way junction of logging roads atop a hill on Shot Pouch Road. Google Maps labels this as the “C2C Trail Sugar-Bowl Kiosk” located approximately four and a half miles south of Burnt Woods and U.S. Highway 20. When we arrived at the 4-way though we discovered that there had been some very recent logging activity which had torn up the shoulders where cars would park leaving muddy ruts all over. In addition, in the final tenth of a mile of Shot Pouch Road mud was piled high enough in the center that it scrapped the bottom of our Subaru as we passed over. Not being comfortable parking near the 4-way we retreated four tenths of a mile back down the hill to the intersection of Shot Pouch Road and Shot Pouch Trail Road where there was enough of a shoulder for us to pull off and park.
Corvallis to Sea Trail pointer on the back of a sign at the junction of Shot Pouch Rd and Shot Pouch Trail Rd

The C2C follows Shot Pouch Trail Road for approximately 4-miles then turns up Shot Pouch Road to the 4-way so we were still starting on the actual trail.
C2C Trail pointer

From our parking spot we crossed Shot Pouch Creek on Shot Pouch Road and hiked back up to the 4-way.
Water Fill spur trail to Shot Pouch CreekJust before the bridge over Shot Pouch Creek is a spur trail for water which is reportedly scarce along the entire 60-mile route.

Shot Pouch CreekA swollen Shot Pouch Creek.

Corvallis to Sea Trail following Shot Pouch Rd.Following the trail/road up to the 4-way.

Old building along the Corvallis to Sea TrailThis was one of a handful of similar structures in the area. So far we haven’t found any information on their history.

Active logging along the Shot Pouch Rd section of the Corvallis to Sea TrailNearing “The 4-way”. Just ahead is where the Subaru bottomed out slightly.

The 4-Way along the Corvallis to Sea TrailThe 4-way

We took the center road at the 4-way which led downhill to a kiosk and yellow gate.
Corvallis to Sea TrailTrail marker with the kiosk and part of the gate in the distance.

After filling out a card at the trail register we passed the gate and continued downhill on what at first was a very rocky old road.
Kiosk near The 4-Way along the Corvallis to Sea Trail

Corvallis to Sea TrailCloudy and wet morning as expected.

Corvallis to Sea Trail

Corvallis to Sea TrailThe rocks on the first stretch were not a pleasant surface to walk on but it wasn’t too long before we left the rocks behind.

Small cascade along the Corvallis to Sea TrailSmall cascade along a side creek.

A decent rain shower had passed overhead while we were on the really rocky road, but after that conditions improved and we encountered no more significant precipitation. It was however unseasonably warm with temperatures in the mid 50s. The combination of the warm weather and wet conditions seemed to have brought all the rough-skinned newts out to explore.
Rough skinned newtThe first of the newts we spotted. They blend well with the leaves so we tried to really keep our eyes open to avoid accidently stepping on any. Over the course of the hike we saw several dozen and who knows how many we didn’t see.

The trail was well marked wherever an old roadbed split off and where the Sugar Bowl Creek Trail segment split off from the roadbed a little over a mile from the kiosk.
Corvallis to Sea Trail heading downhill to the leftC2C Trail marker along the left-hand (downhill) fork.

Corvallis to Sea Trail

Corvallis to Sea TrailThis was the only significant blowdown we encountered on the hike and the tree here was a fairly easy duck under.

Corvallis to Sea Trail passing through the Siuslaw National ForestThe Sugar Bowl Creek Trail segment leaving the old road. This was the only portion that was true singletrack along the Sugar Bowl segment. Here the trail passes through a portion of the Siuslaw National Forest.

Corvallis to Sea TrailThe Sugar Bowl Creek Trail switchbacked downhill to the East before turning back to the SW in the Sugar Bowl.

Corvallis to Sea TrailThe trail eventually rejoined the old roadbed.

A little blue sky above the Corvallis to Sea TrailActual blue sky.

Corvallis to Sea Trail arriving at Mary's Peak RoadArriving at Mary’s Peak Road.

Corvallis to Sea Trail signs along Mary's Peak RoadSignage along Mary’s Peak Road for the C2C.

We followed Mary’s Peak Road just over a mile to another kiosk and gate near Harlan Road where we turned around.
Corvallis to Sea Trail

Rough skinned newtThis particular newt was not about to move out of Heather’s way.

Tributary of Sugar Bowl CreekA side creek flowing toward Sugar Bowl Creek.

Sugar Bowl Creek is out in the trees somewhereSugar Bowl Creek was never visible from the C2C but it was out there somewhere.

Corvallis to Sea Trail arriving at the Harlan Road GateThe Harlan Road Gate and kiosk.

The uphill hike back was a little warmer than we were prepared for, and it didn’t help that we were needlessly wearing raingear which doesn’t breathe.
Corvallis to Sea Trail

Coral fungusCoral fungus

Creek along the Corvallis to Sea TrailUnnamed creek

View from the Corvallis to Sea TrailBack on the rocky roadbed below the 4-way.

Corvallis to Sea Trail arriving at the gate below The 4-way on Shot Pouch RoadBack at the gate and kiosk.

Aside from getting a little sweaty the hike was great. We didn’t see anyone else all morning and the lack of rain was a pleasant surprise. While there isn’t anything along this part of the C2C that is going to blow you away visually it was indeed a perfect rainy winters day hike. With our starting point the roundtrip hike was 7.2 miles with a little over 700′ of elevation gain.

It felt great to finally get our 2024 hiking year underway. We’re looking forward to seeing where our wanderings wind up taking us this year. Happy Trails!

Flickr: C2C Trail -Sugar Bowl Segment

Categories
Hiking Year-end wrap up

2023 Flower Gallery

In 2018 we began a tradition of posting a collection of the variety of flowers that we encountered during the years hikes. It’s always a bit shocking to see just how many different varieties we actually saw over the course of the year. It appears that the total in 2023 was between 300 and 350. We are still learning to identify the flowers and are a long way from being able to tell some of the different species apart. That doesn’t take away from our ability to enjoy the flowers though, so with that in mind here are some (but not all) of the flowers we saw this past year. (Any IDs provided are best guesses and any corrections or additional IDs are greatly appreciated.)

The first wildflowers we spotted were snow queen during a March 11th hike at Fitton Green Natural Area near Corvallis.
Snow queen

Here are the others in no particular order. I’ve tried to identify non-natives as well as indicate if this was our first time (that we know of) seeing a particular flower.  Locations are all in Oregon unless noted as WA.

AllumrootAllumroot – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Alpine pennycressAlpine pennycress – 5/4/23, Forest Road 011, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

American saw-wortAmerican saw-wort – 8/14/23, Main Eagle Creek Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

AnemoneAnemone – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Serpentine arnicaSerpentine arnica – 5/4/23, Eight Dollar Mountain Boardwalk, BLM Grants Pass Resource Area

ArnicaArnica – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

ArnicaArnica – 7/31/23, Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Spear-leaf arnicaSpear-leaf arnica – 7/31/23, Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

ArnicaArnica? – 8/16/23, Tombstone Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Avalanche liliesAvalanche lilies – 7/15/23, Plaza Trail, Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness

Fawn lilyFawn lily – 4/13/23, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Rickreall

Henderson's fawn lilyHenderson’s fawn lily – 5/2/2023, Sterling Mine Ditch Trail System, BLM Medford District

Checker lilyChecker lily – 5/4/23, Forest Road 011, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Azalea blossomAzalea – 5/4/23, Eight Dollar Mountain Boardwalk, BLM Grants Pass Resource Area

RhododendronRhododendron – 7/15/23, Tumala Mountain, Mt. Hood National Forest

Ball-head waterleafBall-head waterleaf – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Pacific waterleafPacific waterleaf – 5/2/2023, Sterling Mine Ditch Trail System, BLM Medford District

BalsamrootBalsamroot – 5/27/23, Metolius Preserve, Camp Sherman

Hoary balsamrootHoary balsamroot – 6/15/23, Buckhorn Lookout, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Silky balsamrootSilky balsamroot – 5/4/23, Little Falls Trail Loop, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (first time seeing)

Deltoid balsamrootDeltoid balsamroot – 5/2/2023, Sterling Mine Ditch Trail System, BLM Medford District

BeargrassBeargrass – 7/4/23, Rockytop Trail, Santiam State Forest

Bigelow sneezeweedBigelow sneezweed – 10/7/2023, Sturgis Fork Trail, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

BindweedField bindweed (non-native) – 6/14/23, Eureka Bar, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

BindweedBindweed (non-native) – 8/26/23, Old Growth Cedar Trail, Rockaway Beach

BiscuitrootBiscuitroot – 5/4/23, Little Falls Trail Loop, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

BiscuitrootBiscuitroot – 5/13/23, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Sherwood

LomatiumBiscuitroot – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

BistortBistort – 7/31/23, Castle Crest Wildflower Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Blanket flowerBlanket flower – 6/14/23, Eureka Bar, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Bleeding heartBleeding heart – 4/29/23, Canemah Bluff, Oregon City

Blue dicksBlue dicks – 5/1/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, BLM Medford District

OokowOokow – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husem, WA

Large-flower triteliaLarge-flower tritelia – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Blue-bells of ScotlandBluebells of Scotland – 7/15/23, Sheepshead Rock, Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness

Tall bluebellsTall bluebells – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Scouler's bluebellScouler’s bluebell – 7/4/23, Natural Rock Arch Trail, Santiam State Forest

Blue-eyed MaryBlue-eyed Mary – 5/2/23, Cathedral Hills, Grants Pass

Giant blue-eyed MaryGiant blue-eyed Mary – 4/29/23, Canemah Bluff, Oregon City

Bog orchidBog orchid – 7/31/23, Castle Crest Wildflower Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Phantom orchidsPhantom orchid – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husem, WA

Bolander's yampah along Nez Perce – Nee-Mee-Poo National Historic TrailBolander’s yampah – 6/15/23, Nee-Mee-Poo National Historic Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Broad-leaved pepperweedBroad-leaved pepperweed (non-native) – 6/11/23, Hat Rock State Park, Hermiston

Brown's peonyBrown’s peony – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

BuckwheatBuckwheat – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

Butterflies on buckwheatBuckwheat – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

BuckwheatBuckwheat – 7/31/23, Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

BuckwheatBuckwheat – 7/30/23, Crater Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

BuckwheatBuckwheat – 6/3/23, Nestor Peak, Husem, WA

Wickerstem BuckwheatWickerstem buckwheat – 9/3/23, Threemile Canyon, BLM Burns District

BunchberryBunchberry – 7/4/23, Santiam State Forest

ButtercupsButtercups – 4/29/23, Canemah Bluff, Oregon City

California darlingtoniaCalifornia darlingtonia – 5/4/23, Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical Area, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

California gromwellCalifornia gromwell – 5/4/23, Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical Area, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Western stoneseedWestern stoneseed – 5/27/23, Metolius Preserve, Camp Sherman

California groundconesCalifornia groundcones – 5/3/23, Dollar Mountain, Grants Pass

California harebellsCalifornia harebells – 6/25/23, North Umpqua Trail, BLM Roseburg District

California popiesCalifornia poppies – 6/13/23, Highway 351, Joseph

CamasCamas – 4/29/23, Canemah Bluff, Oregon City

Death camasDeath camas – 5/4/23, Eight Dollar Mountain Boardwalk, BLM Grants Pass Resource Area

Mountain death camasMountain death camas – 8/14/23, Main Eagle Creek Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Candy flowerCandy flower – 5/3/23, Waters Creek Interpretive Trail, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

CandysticksCandysticks – 7/8/23, Santiam Wagon Road, Willamette National Forest

Carolina bugbaneCarolina bugbane – 7/15/23, Old Baldy Trail, Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness

Cascade lilyCascade lily – 7/4/23, Natural Rock Arch Trail, Santiam State Forest

CatchflyCatchfly – 7/4/23, Rockytop Trail, Santiam State Forest

Checker-mallowChecker-mallow – 5/13/23, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Sherwood

Checker-mallowChecker-mallow – 5/13/23, Graham Oaks Nature Park, Wilsonville

Checker-mallowChecker-mallow – 6/25/23, North Bank Habitat, BLM Roseburg District

Orange globe mallowOrange globe mallow – 6/14/23, Eureka Bar Hells Canyon National Scenic Area

ChicoryChicory (non-native) – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

ChokecherryChokecherry – 5/30/23, Riley Ranch Preserve, Bend

Mallow ninebarkMallow ninebark – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman

CinquefoilCinquefoil – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Shrubby cinquefoilShrubby cinquefoil – 8/14/23, Main Eagle Creek Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

ClarkiaClarkia – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husem, WA

Ragged robinElkhorn clarkia – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Tomcat cloverTomcat clover – 5/13/23, Cooper Mountain Nature Park, Beaverton

CloverClover (possibly Beckwith’s?) – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

CloverTwin clover – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (first time seeing)

Large-head cloverLarge-head clover – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Woolly-head cloverWooly-head clover – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Owl's cloverOwl’s clover – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Clustered broomrapeClustered broomrape – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Naked broomrapeNaked broomrape – 5/1/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, BLM Medford District

Coast flat stem onionCoast flat stem onion – 5/4/23, Jeffrey Pine Loop Trail, BLM Medford District

Swamp onionSwamp onion – 8/14/23, Main Eagle Creek Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Tolmie's onionTolmie’s onion – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

ColtsfootColtsfoot – 4/15/23, Enchanted Valley, Siuslaw National Forest

Columbian lewisiaColumbian lewisia – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Threeleaf lewisiaThreeleaf lewisia – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

ColumbineColumbine – 7/4/23, Rockytop Trail, Santiam State Forest

Fading yellow columbineYellow columbine – 8/17/23, West Eagle Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

ConeflowerConeflower – 8/16/23, West Eagle Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

CoralrootPacific Coralroot – 7/15/23, Plaza Lake Trail, Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness

Spotted coralrootSpotted coralroot – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husem, WA

Crater Lake collomiaCrater Lake collomia – 9/9/23, Cliff Lake Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness

Grand collomiaGrand collomia – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

Variable-leaf collomiaVariable-leaf collomia – 6/24/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, Wild Rogue Wilderness

Tiny trumpetTiny trumpet – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (first time seeing)

Creeping wirelettuceCreeping wirelettuce – 7/29/23, Stuart Falls Trail, Crater Lake National Park

CurrantCurrant – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Red flowering currantRed flowering currant – 4/14/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem

Cusick's speedwellCusick’s speedwell – 8/15/23 Bear Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

DaffodilsDaffodils (non-native) – 4/13/23, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Rickreall

Dalmation toadflaxDalmation toadflax (non-native) – 6/16/23, Copper Creek Day Use Area, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Deer vetchDeer vetch – 7/22/23, Shut-In Trail, Deschutes National Forest

Idaho milk-vetchIdaho milk-vetch – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

Rogue River milkvetchRogue River milk-vetch – 5/2/2023, Sterling Mine Ditch Trail System, BLM Medford District

Woolly-pod milk vetchWoolly-pod milk-vetch – 5/2/2023, Sterling Mine Ditch Trail System, BLM Medford District

VetchVetch – 5/13/23, Cooper Mountain Nature Park, Beaverton

VetchVetch – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Skipper on a peaPea (non-native) – 6/24/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, Wild Rogue Wilderness

Del Norte IrisDel Norte iris – 5/1/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, BLM Medford District

Tough leaf irisTough leaf iris – 5/13/23, Cooper Mountain Nature Park, Beaverton

IrisIris – 5/4/23, Little Falls Trail Loop, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Diffuse-flower evening-primroseDiffuse-flower evening primrose surrounded by blue-eyed Mary – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Drummond's anemoneDrummond’s anemone – 7/30/23, Crater Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Western pasque flowerWestern pasque flower – 7/8/23, Sand Mountain, Willamette National Forest

Western pasque flowersWestern paque flower (seedheads) – 7/31/23, Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Dwarf ceanothusDwarf ceanothus – 5/3/23, Limpy Botanical Trail, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Elegant brodiaeaElegant brodiaea – 6/24/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, Wild Rogue Wilderness

European centauryEuropean centaury (non-native) – 6/25/23, North Bank Habitat, BLM Roseburg District

Fairy slippersFairy slippers – 5/3/23, Limpy Botanical Trail, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Mountain lady slipperMountain lady slipper – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husem, WA

FiddleneckFiddleneck – 5/2/2023, Sterling Mine Ditch Trail System, BLM Medford District

Field chickweedField chickweed – 5/4/23, Forest Road 011, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

FireweedFireweed – 6/25/23, North Umpqua Trail, BLM Roseburg District

Flase helleboreFalse hellebore – 7/31/23, Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Dipping into fleabanes, asters and/or daisies, possibly the hardest to differentiate. These are my best guesses but I could be way off.
Desert yellow fleabaneDesert yellow fleabane – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

Crab spider on fleabaneSub-alpine fleabane – 10/7/23, Forest Road 600, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

FleabaneFleabane? – 6/14/23, Eureka Bar, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Fleabane?Fleabane? – 6/11/23, Hat Rock State Park, Hermiston

Eastern tailed blue - best guessNot even going to guess, could be a non-native. – 5/13/23, Graham Oaks Nature Park, Wilsonville

Eight-spotted Forester-Alypia octomaculataDiasy? – 7/4/23, Niagra Heights Road, Santiam State Forest

Hairy golden asterHairy golden aster – 6/14/23, Eureka Bar, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Oregon sunshineOregon sunshine – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

Oregon sunshineOregon sunshine – 6/3/23, Nestor Peak, Husem, WA

SunflowerSunflower – 9/3/23, Threemile Canyon, BLM Burns District

Foam flowerFoam flower – 8/5/23, McGee Creek Trail, Mt. Hood Wilderness

FoxgloveFoxglove (non-native) – 7/4/23, Natural Rock Arch Trail, Santiam State Forest

FringecupFringecup – 5/13/23, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Sherwood

GentiansGentians – 8/16/23, Tombstone Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Gold stars?Gold stars? – 5/2/23, Cathedral Hills, Grants Pass

GoldenrodGoldenrod – 7/22/23, Metolius River Trail, Deschutes National Forest

Grass-of-parnassusGrass-of-parnassus – 9/9/23, Pacific Crest Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness

Gray sagewortGray sagewort (among others) – 8/14/23, Main Eagle Creek Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

GroundselGroundsel – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husem, WA

GroundselGroundsel – 7/30/23, Plaikni Falls Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Heartleaf springbeautyHeatleaf spring beauty – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

HedgenettleHedgenettle – 7/22/23, Shut-In Trail, Deschutes National Forest

HoneysuckleHoneysuckle – 5/13/23, Cooper Mountain Nature Park, Beaverton

HoneysuckleHoneysuckle – 6/25/23, North Bank Habitat, BLM Roseburg District

Twinberry honeysuckleTwinberry honeysuckle – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Utah honeysuckleUtah honeysuckle – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Twinflower honesuckleTwinflower honeysuckle – 7/22/23, Metolius River Trail, Deschutes National Forest

HorkeliaHorkelia – 7/22/23, Metolius River Trail, Deschutes National Forest

Hounds tongueHoundstongue – 6/13/23, Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site, Joseph

Pacific hounds tonguePacific houndstongue – 5/2/2023, Sterling Mine Ditch Trail System, BLM Medford District

Jessica's stickseedJessica’s stickseed – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Hooker's Indian pinkHooker’s Indian pink – 5/3/23, Dollar Mountain, Grants Pass

Hooker's fairy bellsHooker’s fairy bells – 4/29/23, Canemah Bluff, Oregon City

HuckleberryHuckleberry – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Indian plumIndian plum – 4/13/23, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Rickreall

Mountain snowberryMountain snowberry – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman

SalmonberrySalmonberry – 4/8/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem

SalalSalal – 6/25/23, North Umpqua Trail, BLM Roseburg District

Oregon grapeOregon grape – 4/8/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem

ServiceberryServiceberry – 5/13/23, Cooper Mountain Nature Park, Beaverton

Strawberry blossomStrawberry – 4/29/23, Canemah Bluff, Oregon City

ThimbleberryThimbleberry – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husem, WA

Largeflower hawksbeardLarge-flower hawksbeard – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

Golden paintbrush and checker-mallow
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) – 5/13/23, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Sherwood

Hairy Indian paintbrushHairy Indian paintbrush (Castilleja tenuis) – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman

PaintbrushPaintbrush – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman

PaintbrushPaintbrush – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman

Paintbrush – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husem, WA

PaintbrushCobwebby paintbrush (Castilleja arachnoidea) – 7/31/23, Rim Trail, Crater Lake National Park

PaintbrushCobwebby paintbrush (Castilleja arachnoidea) – 7/31/23, Rim Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Wallow paintbrushYellow Wallowa Indian paintbrush (Castilleja chrysantha) – 8/15/23, Lookingglass Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

PaintbrushRosy paintbrush – 8/16/23, Tombstone Lake Trail, Eagle Cap WildernessFph

Indian warriorIndian warrior (Pedicularis densiflora) – 5/2/23, Cathedral Hills, Grants Pass (first time seeing)

Inside-out flowerInside-out flower – 7/4/23, Natural Rock Arch Trail, Santiam State Forest

Jacob's ladderJaccob’s ladder – 8/16/23, West Eagle Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

LarkspurLarkspur – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

LarkspurLarkspur – 5/1/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, BLM Medford District

Red larkspurRed larkspur – 5/1/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, BLM Medford District (first time seeing)

LarkspurTall mountain larkspur – 8/14/23, Main Eagle Creek Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Dwarf lupineDwarf lupine – 7/8/23, Santiam Wagon Road, Willamette National Forest

LupineMiniature lupine – 5/2/2023, Sterling Mine Ditch Trail System, BLM Medford District

Lupine with Mt. Hood in the backgroundLupine – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

LupineLupine (non-native colors) – 5/13/23, Graham Oaks Nature Park, Wilsonville

Lewis flaxFlax – 5/30/23, Riley Ranch Preserve, Bend

LousewortCoiled lousewort – 8/16/23, Tombstone Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

LousewortSickletop lousewort – 8/16/23, West Eagle Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Sea blush (plectritis)Sea blush (plectritis) – 4/29/23, Canemah Bluff, Oregon City

Longhorn plectritisLonghorn plectritis – 5/30/23, Riley Ranch Preserve, Bend

Beetle on a white mariposa lilyWhite mariposa lily – 8/14/23, Main Eagle Creek Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Sagebrush mariposa lilySagebrush mariposa lily – 6/14/23, Eureka Bar, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

White mariposa lilyMariposa lily (possibly a white sagebrush) – 6/14/23, Eureka Bar, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Sub-alpine mariposa liliesSub-alpine mariposa lilies – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husem, WA

Tolmie's mariposa lilyTolmie’s mariposa lily – 5/3/23, Dollar Mountain, Grants Pass

Manyflower tonellaManyflower tonella – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman

Small-flowered tonellaSmall-flowered tonella – 4/29/23, Canemah Bluff, Oregon City (first time seeing)

Lewis monkeyflowerLewis monkefylower – 7/30/23, Plaikni Falls Trail, Crater Lake National Park

MonkeyflowerMonkeyflower – 5/1/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, BLM Medford District

MonkeyflowerMonkeyflower – 6/3/23, Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Trout Lake, WA

Milk kelloggia (Kelloggia galioides)Milk kelloggia (Kelloggia galioides) – 7/31/23, Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

MonkshoodMonkshood – 7/30/23, Plaikni Falls Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Moth mulleinMoth mullein (non-native) – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Mountain heatherMountain heather – 8/5/23, Timberline Trail, Mt. Hood Wilderness

Mock orangeMock orange – 7/4/23, North Santiam Park, Mill City

Mountain ashMountain ash – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Showy milkweedShowy milkweed – 6/14/23, Eureka Bar, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Wester clematisWestern clematis – 6/16/23, Trail 1890, Hells Canyon Wilderness

Western blue clematisWestern blue clematis – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

NightshadeNightshade (non-native) – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Possibly a knotweedA knotweed? – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman

Shasta knotweedShasta knotweed – 7/31/23, Rim Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Nettle-leaf giant hyssopNettle-leaf giant hyssop – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman

Nuttal's linanthusNuttal’s linanthus – 8/15/23 Bear Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

One-sided wintergreenOne-sided wintergreen – 7/29/23, Stuart Falls Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness

WintergreenWintergreen – 7/30/23, Plaikni Falls Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Orange agoserisOrange agoseris – 7/15/23, Sheepshead Rock, Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness

PartridgefootPartridgefoot – 7/31/23, Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Pearly everlastingPearly everlasting – 7/29/23, Stuart Falls Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness

Granite prickey-phloxGranite prickley-phlox – 7/31/23, Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

PhloxPhlox – 5/4/23, Little Falls Trail Loop, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Showy phloxShowy phlox – 5/4/23, Eight Dollar Mountain Boardwalk, BLM Grants Pass Resource Area

Slender phloxSlender phlox – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

PhloxPhlox – 7/31/23, Rim Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Phlox?Phlox? – 6/14/23, Eureka Bar, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Penstemons is another genus that I have a really hard time telling apart.
Beardstongue penstemonWoodland beardtongue – 7/4/23, Rockytop Trail, Santiam State Forest

Globe penstemonGlobe penstemon – 8/15/23 Bear Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

PenstemonRoyal? penstemon – 5/30/23, Riley Ranch Preserve, Bend

PenstemonFinetooth? penstemon – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husem, WA

PenstemonShrubby penstemon – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Penstemon possibly Wilcox'sWilcox’s? penstemon – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

PenstemonScabland penstemon – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

PenstemonUnknown penstemon – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman

PenstemonGlaucous? beardtongue – 7/4/23, Niagra Heights Road, Santiam State Forest

PhaceliaSilverleaf phacelia – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

Threadleaf phaceliaThreadleaf phacelia – 5/30/23, Riley Ranch Preserve, Bend

A phaceliaA phacelia? – 8/16/23, Tombstone Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

PinedropPinedrop – 7/22/23, Metolius River Trail, Deschutes National Forest

Prairie smokePrairie smoke – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman

Prickly pear cactusPrickly pear cactus – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman (first time seeing)

Prince's pinePrince’s pine – 7/8/23, Santiam Wagon Road, Willamette National Forest

PussypawPussypaws – 7/8/23, Santiam Wagon Road, Willamette National Forest

PussytoesPussytoes – 7/30/23, Crater Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Rosy pussytoesRosy pussytoes – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Queen's cupQueen’s cup – 7/15/23, Old Baldy Trail, Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness

RagwortRagwort (non-native) – 8/26/23, Fort Yamhill State Heritage Area, Grand Ronde

RoseWild rose – 6/3/23, Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Trout Lake, WA

Rose campionRose campion (non-native) – 6/16/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallow-Whitman National Forest

Rough eyelashweedRough eyelashweed – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

Sagebrush false dandelionSagebrush false dandelion – 7/30/23, Crater Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

SandwortSandwort – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

SaxifrageA saxifrage – 7/4/23, Niagra Heights Road, Santiam State Forest

SaxifrageA saxifrage – 7/15/23, Sheepshead Rock, Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness

SaxifrageA saxifrage – 7/31/23, Rim Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Silvery RaillardellaSilvery raillardella – 7/31/23, Rim Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Scarlet giliaScarlet gilia – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Scenic Area, Wallowa-Whitman

Scarlet fritillaryScarlet fritillary – 5/2/2023, Sterling Mine Ditch Trail System, BLM Medford District

Siskiyou fritillarySiskiyou fritillary – 5/3/23, Limpy Botanical Trail, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Self-healSelf-heal – 6/25/23, North Umpqua Trail, BLM Roseburg District

Shooting starShooting star – 5/2/23, Cathedral Hills, Grants Pass

Scouler's woollyweedScouler’s woollyweed – 7/29/23, Stuart Falls Trail, Crater Lake National Park

SilvercrownSilvercrown – 5/3/23, Dollar Mountain, Grants Pass

SkullcapSkullcap – 5/2/23, Cathedral Hills, Grants Pass

Skunk cabbageSkunk cabbage – 4/15/23, Enchanted Valley, Siuslaw National Forest

HardhackDouglas spirea – 10/7/2023, Sturgis Fork Trail, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

SpireaMountain spirea – 7/4/23, Niagra Heights Road, Santiam State Forest

White spiraeaWhite spirea – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Spreading dogbaneSpreading dogbane – 7/22/23, Metolius River Trail, Deschutes National Forest

St. Johns WortSt. John’s wort (non-native) – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

SolomonsealSolomonseal – 5/27/23, Blowout Arm, Detroit Lake

Star-flower solomonsealStar-flower solomonseal – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

StarflowerStar flower – 5/13/23, Cooper Mountain Nature Park, Beaverton

Sticky purple geraniumSticky purple geranium – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Tasselflower brickellbushTasselflower brickellbush – 8/14/23, Main Eagle Creek Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Tiger lily and penstemonTiger lily – 7/4/23, Rockytop Trail, Santiam State Forest

Leopard liliesLeopard lilies – 7/29/23, Stuart Falls Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness

ToothwortToothwort – 4/15/23, Enchanted Valley, Siuslaw National Forest

TrilliumTrillium – 4/15/23, Enchanted Valley, Siuslaw National Forest

Giant white wakerobinGiant white wakerobin – 5/2/23, Cathedral Hills, Grants Pass

TwinflowerTwinflower – 7/8/23, Santiam Wagon Road, Willamette National Forest

Bettles on thistleThistle (wavy-leaf?) – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

ThistleThistle (Palouse?) – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

ThistleSnowy thistle – 6/24/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, Wild Rogue Wilderness

ThistleThistle (Canadian? if so non-native) – 6/25/23, North Umpqua Trail, BLM Roseburg District

StonecropStonecrop – 7/30/23, Crater Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

StonecropStonecrop – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

StonecropStonecrop – 8/16/23, Tombstone Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

ValerianValerian – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Goosefoot violetGoosefoot violet – 5/27/23, Metolius Preserve, Camp Sherman

Hookedspur violetHookedspur violet – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Marsh violetMarsh violet – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

VioletViolet – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

VioletViolet – 4/15/23, Enchanted Valley, Siuslaw National Forest

VioletViolet – 6/3/23, Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Trout Lake, WA

VioletsViolets – 5/4/23, Little Falls Trail Loop, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Wedgeleaf violetWedgeleaf violet – 5/4/23, Eight Dollar Mountain Boardwalk, BLM Grants Pass Resource Area

WallflowerWallflower – 5/30/23, Riley Ranch Preserve, Bend

Western meadowrueWestern meadowrue – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Western snakerootWestern snakeroot – 8/16/23, West Eagle Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

White-stemmed fraseraWhite-stemmed frasera – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Woodland-starsWoodland-stars – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

YarrowYarrow – 6/14/23, Eureka Bar, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Youth-on-AgeYouth-on-age – 4/29/23, Canemah Bluff, Oregon City

Silver-spotted Skipper on common buglossCommon bugloss (non-native) – 6/14/23, Eureka Bar, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

White campionWhite campion (non-native) – 6/14/23, Eureka Bar, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Wildflower along the Rocky Top TrailUnknown – 7/4/23, Rockytop Trail, Santiam State Forest

Wildflower along the Scramble trail from the McNeil Point Shelter to the Timberline TrailUnknown – 8/5/23, McNeil Point scramble trail, Mt. Hood Wilderness

Wildflowers along the Willard Springs LoopBest guess is a popcorn flower but? – 6/3/23, Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Trout Lake, WA

Wildflowers near a seep along the Nez Perce – Nee-Mee-Poo National Historic TrailUnknown, possibly non-native – 6/15/23, Nee-Mee-Poo National Historic Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Flower at Iwetemlaykin State Heritage SiteUnknown, possibly non-native – 6/13/23, Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site, Joseph

Flower along the Imnaha TrailUnknown, probably non-native – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Flower near the picnic areaUnknown, probably non-native – 8/26/23, Old Growth Cedar Trail, Rockaway Beach

The last flower we saw was a non-native in December.
Maybe a mustard?Unkown. probably non-native – 12/16/23, Mt. Tabor Nature Park, Portland

Categories
Hiking Oregon Washington Year-end wrap up

The Hikes of 2023 – A Look Back

2023 was another unique year of hiking for us. I made it outside for hikes on 62 days while Heather managed to join me, at least in part on 58 of those days. We set off from 109 trailheads and 5 times from our tent which was the highest number of starting points for us in a given year. While the 62 days marked my second highest number of days spent hiking the 608.5 miles hiked was just the 8th most miles in a year. In other words, 2023 was the year of shorter, multiple stop days allowing us to visit a good number of different trails.

In fact, our shortest hike was just over a quarter mile at Nesika Park in Lincoln City (post) while my longest hike was a 17.7 mile out-and-back up and over Mt. Hebo (post).

This year we visited city, county, and national parks as well as state and national forests. We also made it to a national monument and a national volcanic monument. We spent time at six national wildlife refuges and a couple days hiking in privately held nature preserves. Seventeen hikes took us into ten different designated wilderness areas. We truly are blessed to live in a region with so many options and so much variety.

While we continue to focus on hikes that we have not done before we spent a higher percentage of our time hiking in Oregon than typical this year. We spent just three days in Washington, none in California, and for only the second time hiked a trail in Idaho along the Snake River. That being said only 17 of our days brought us to a trail we’d hiked in a previous year and none of the hikes were an exact repeat of one we’d done before.

Our most northern hike was in Washington on the Boundary Trail North of Mt. St. Helens (post).
Mt. St. Helens

I would have guessed our Eastern most hike was the one in Idaho, but it was actually another stop we made that same day on the Oregon side of the Snake River (post).
Trail along the Snake River

While we didn’t hike in California this year our Southernmost hike at Tanner Lakes saw us briefly drive through part of the State to reach the trailhead (post).
Preston Peak and El Capitan from Tanner MountainPeaks in California from Tanner Mountain.

Once again our Western most hike was near the Pacific Ocean, but it wasn’t one of our beach hikes, it was actually slightly inland at Cape Mountain near Florence (post).
Pacific OceanThe Pacific Ocean from Cape Mountain.

In general the weather was good this year, almost too good, as drought conditions have been an issue. Aside from getting caught in a heavy thunderstorm at Cathedral Hills (post) precipitation was almost non-existent. Clouds and fog were also not much of an issue this year, with a trip to Mt. Hood (post) being the only day where our views were impacted by either of these. It wasn’t all clear views though as persistent smoke, first from wildfires in Canada then fires in California and Southern Oregon left most views with at least a hint of haze seemingly the entire year.

Our biggest accomplishment this year was reaching our goal of hiking all 100 featured hikes in one of William L. Sullivan’s
“100 Hikes/Travel Guide Southern Oregon & Northern California” edition 4.2 (post). During an October trip to Grants Pass we checked off the final hikes with the last being a visit to Babyfoot Lake in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness (post).

I hope to get our usual wildlife and flower galleries out at some point over the next couple of months, but I’ll leave this post with some of 2023 highlights.

Friends of Wildwoods TrailFriends of Wildwoods Trail – Lincoln City, OR (January)

Waterfall at Talking Water Gardens (man-made)Talking Water Gardens – Albany, OR (April)

Whiskey CreekWhiskey Creek – Rogue River National Recreation Trail, OR (May)

Wagner Butte from the Sterling Mine Ditch TrailWagner Butte from the Sterling Mine Ditch Trail – Southern Oregon (May)

Illinois River from the Kerby Flat TrailIllinois River from the Kerby Flat Trail – Southern Oregon (May)

Tualatin River National Wildlife RefugeMt. Hood from the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge – Sherwood, OR (May)

Deschutes RiverDeschutes River from the Criterion Tract – Central Oregon (May)

Mt. Adams from Conboy Lake National Wildlife RefugeMt. Adams from Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge – Washington (June)

Hat RockHat Rock – Hat Rock State Park, OR (June)

View from the Imnaha River TrailView from the Imnaha River Trail – Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR (June)

Pond at Iwetemlaykin State Heritage SitePond at Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site – Joseph, OR (June)

Snake RiverSnake River at Eureka Bar, OR (June)

Buckhorn LookoutBuckhorn Lookout, OR (June)

Blossom Bar on the Rogue RiverBlossom Bar – Rogue River, OR (June)

Middle Ridge TrailNorth Bank Habitat – Roseburg, OR (June)

Natural Rock ArchNatural Rock Arch – Niagra, OR (July)

View from Sand MountainMt. Jefferson and Three Fingered Jack from Sand Mountain – Willamette National Forest, OR (July)

Stuart FallsStuart Falls – Sky Lakes Wilderness, OR (July)

Plaikni FallsPlaikni Falls – Crater Lake National Park, OR (August)

View from Crater PeakView from Crater Peak – Crater Lake National Park, OR (August)

Crater LakeCrater Lake from the Cleetwood Cove Trail – Crater Lake National Park, OR (August)

Oregon Trail replica wagonOregon Trail replica wagon – Baker City, OR (August)

View from the Lookingglass Lake TrailEagle Cap Wilderness, OR (August)

Eagle Creek Meadow from the Bear Lake TrailView from the Bear Lake Trail – Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR (August)

Tombstone Lake below Swabb Mountain and China CapTombstone Lake – Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR (August)

Traverse LakeTraverse Lake – Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR (August)

Big Cedar at the end of the Rockaway Beach Cedar Preserve BoardwalkRockaway Beach Cedar Preserve Boardwalk – Rockaway Beach, OR (August)

Dry River CanyonDry River Canyon – Central Oregon (September)

Kurmbo ReservoirKurmbo Reservoir – Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, OR (September)

Seven Lakes BasinSeven Lakes Basin – Sky Lakes Wilderness, OR (September)

Sisi Butte LookoutSisi Butte Lookout – Mt. Hood National Forest, OR (September)

Olallie Butte from Lower LakeOlallie Butte from Lower Lake – Mt. Hood National Forest, OR (September)

Rock spireRock spire along the Castle Canyon Trail – Mt. Hood Wilderness, OR (September)

Sunlight bursting through the trees above the Burnt Woods Forest RoadSun rays at Strom Boulder Ridge – Burnt Woods, OR (September)

Boundary Trail passing through a meadowBondary Trail above Sturgis Fork – Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (October)

Lake Mountain Trail heading toward the taller Mount ElijahLake Mountain Trail heading toward the taller Mount Elijah – Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve (October)

East Tanner LakeTanner Lake – Red Buttes Wilderness, OR (October)

Grayback Mountain snow shelterGrayback Mountain snow shelter – Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (October)

Babyfoot LakeBabyfoot Lake – Kalmiopsis Wilderness, OR (October)

Vivian LakeVivian Lake – Diamond Peak Wilderness, OR (October)

Pool Creek FallsPool Creek Falls – Willamette National Forest, OR (October)

Tunnel BeachTunnel Beach – Oceanside, OR (October)

D RiverD River – Lincoln City, OR (November)

Mt. Hood through the shelter on Scouters MountainMt. Hood through the shelter on Scouters Mountain – Portland, OR (December)

Hidden FallsHidden Falls – Hidden Valley, OR (December)

Unfortunately, not everything was blue skies in 2023.
At the end of the year I retired my favorite hiking T-shirt after eight years. We’d found some Marvel T-shirts at Target in late 2014/early 2015 in their active wear section made of wicking material. I picked up a Punisher shirt for less than $20.00. Over the next 8+ years I wore that T-shirt on at least 85% of our hikes. That works out to over 450 outings and over 5000 miles. We’ve never been able to locate another like it that wasn’t at least part cotton. It was stretched out and had developed several holes of the last couple of years, but it performed admirably.
20240101_145704

20240101_145739

More disappointing was the closure of our local (and go to) outdoor store, Salem Summit in July. They closed their doors after 11+ years. It was a big loss for us and the Salem outdoor community, but we are grateful for all the help and support that Al and the staff provided through those years.
Hedgehog cactus and a Salem Summit bandana

Categories
California Hiking Oregon Washington Year-end wrap up

Progress Report – 500 “Featured Hikes” – January 2024 Update

In 2019 we posted about our goal to complete 500 “featured” hikes from William L. Sullivan’s “100 hikes” guidebook series. The following year we finished the first of the five guidebooks (post) and followed that up by completing two more in 2021 (post). That left us with just the Eastern Oregon and Southern Oregon/Northern California books to complete. In 2022 we managed to make significant progress on the hikes to the south by checking off 28 featured hikes from the southern book, but just 6 featured hikes in the eastern book (post). That left us with a reasonable shot at completing the southern book in 2023.

We began the year with the remaining 19 southern hikes on the calendar along with 8 more eastern hikes. As is usually the case things did not go exactly as planned. Two of the hikes we’d planned during our first trip to Grants Pass in May were inaccessible due to lingering snow, but we were able to push them both back to later dates and complete them later in the year. We completed our 99th and 100th featured hikes on 10/09/2023 (post).

Then on our first tip to Eastern Oregon in June resulted in our deciding to switch the version of Sullivan’s book from the 3rd edition to his more recent “100 Hikes Eastern Oregon” 1st edition. (The edition numbers reset when Sullivan changed the title from 100 Hikes/Travel Guide simply to 100 Hikes.) The switch was prompted by us not feeling comfortable with, or having the time to make, the drive to Dug Bar (post). Dug Bar had been removed as a featured hike in the newer 1st edition, along with a few others, so making the switch allowed us to avoid that drive. The tradeoff was needing to return to Steens Mountain in SE Oregon to hike one of the new featured trails at Threemile Canyon, a mere 350 miles from Salem. At least that trailhead was located along a paved highway though. We rearranged some hikes in both 2023 and future years to move up the new featured hikes and were back on track. We wound up completing 10 featured hikes instead of 8 from the eastern book, but after subtracting the 6 former 3rd edition featured hikes that we’d completed, and adding one new featured hike that we’d already completed we ended the year up only 5 from the end of 2022 (84 vs 79).

Here is where we now stand at the end of 2023, having been on 484 of the 500 featured hikes:

100/100 – “100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades” 4th Edition 2012 (post)

100/100 – “100 Hikes/Travel Guide Oregon Coast & Coast Range” 3rd Edition 2009 (post)

100/100 – “100 Hikes/Travel Guide Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington” 4th Edition 2018 (post)

100/100 – “100 Hikes/Travel Guide Southern Oregon & Northern California” Edition 4.2 2021 (post)

84/100 – “100 Hikes: Eastern Oregon” 1st Edition 2015

With just 16 more hikes to check off to complete our goal we are on track to finish the final hike in August 2024 somewhere in the Wallowa Mountains. Happy Trails!