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Hiking Year-end wrap up

2025 Wildlife Gallery Part 2 – Featherless Friends

Part two of 2025 wildlife wrap-up is a collection of the non-bird critters that we were able to get a photo of during our 2025 outings. I checked one animal off the list of those that we hadn’t seen while hiking during our Tygh Creek hike in May when I spotted a skunk making its way up the trail ahead. Heather unfortunately missed out on that sighting. We also saw a sea otter during our visit to Olympic National Park in May however it was so far away that we weren’t sure what we were looking at until we were able to look at the couple of photos that I had taken. It was exciting to have seen one, but it would have been more exciting had we realized what we were seeing at the time. The other exciting (and scariest) sighting was just our second rattlesnake in the Criterion Tract along the Deschutes River, also in May. We didn’t see it until we heard the loud hiss and rattle letting us know that we were getting too close.

Bee heading for phacelia
Bumble bee – Mt. Hood National Forest, 05/24/25.

Honeybee swarm
Bee swarm – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/25.

Bees
Unknown bee species – Criterion Tract, 05/25/25.

Beetle
Beetle – Criterion Tract, 05/25/25.

Beetle on yarrow
Beetle – Criterion Tract, 05/25/25.

Beetles on beargrass
Beetles – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, 07/14/25.

White-stemmed frasera
Beetles – Mt. Hood National Forest, 06/14/25.

Potato bug
Isopod – Olympic National Park, 05/15/25.

Western sea slater (Ligia occidentalis)
Western sea slater (Ligia occidentalis) – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Camas and a spider
Spider hiding in the camas – Thurston Hills, 04/19/25.

Crab spider on prince's pine
Crab spider – Clearwater River Trail, 06/21/25.

Slug
Slug – Thurston Hills, 04/19/25.

Slug
Slug – Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, 05/03/25.

Slug
Slug – Olympic National Park, 05/13/25.

Slug
Slug – Olympic National Park, 05/12/25.

Slug
Slug – Olympic National Park, 05/15/25.

Snail
Snail – Oswald West State Park, 04/05/25.

Snail
Snail – Loon Lake Recreation Area, 05/03/25.

Snail
Snail – Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, 05/03/25.

Snail
Snail – Umpqua National Forest, 05/31/25.

Dragonflies
Dragon flies – Mt. Washington Wilderness, 07/19/25.

Caterpillar
Caterpillar – Olympic National Park, 05/13/25.

Tent caterpillars
Caterpillars – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, 07/17/25.

Cinnabar moth
Cinnabar moth – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Linn County Oregon, 07/17/25.

Plume moth on arnica
Plume moth – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Linn County Oregon, 07/17/25.

Moth
Moth – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Marion County Oregon, 07/14/25.

Moth
Moth – Mt. Washington Wilderness, Linn County Oregon, 07/19/25.

Moth on yarrow
Moth – Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 06/14/25.

Brown elfin
Brown elfin (and fly) – Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 05/24/25.

Ochre ringlet
Ochre ringlet – Criterion Tract, Wasco County Oregon, 05/25/25.

Cabbage white
Cabbage White – Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Washington County Oregon, 05/01/25.

Margined white
Margined white – Oswald West State Park, Tillamook County Oregon, 04/05/25.

Western white?
Western white? – Mt. Hood National Forest, Hood River County Oregon, 07/12/25.

California tortoishell
California tortoiseshell – Mt. Hood National Forest, Hood River County Oregon, 07/12/25.

Checkerspot
Sagebrush checkerspot (f) – Criterion Tract, Wasco County Oregon, 05/25/25.

Checkerspot
Sagebrush checkerspot? (m) – Criterion Tract, Wasco County Oregon, 05/25/25.

Checkerspot on cinquefoil
Checkerspot (Hoffman’s?) – Mt. Hood National Forest, Hood River County Oregon, 07/12/25.

Clodius parnassian
Clodius Parnassian – Sourgrass Mountain, Lane County Oregon, 06/28/25.

Propertius duskywing on penstemon
Propertius duskywing – Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 06/14/25.

Duskywing
Possibly a Pacuvius Duskywing (Erynnis pacuvius) – Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 05/24/25.

Skipper
A skipper – Criterion Tract, Wasco County Oregon, 05/25/25.

Field crescent
Field crescent – Mt. Washington Wilderness, Linn County Oregon, 07/19/25.

Meadow fritillary
Meadow fritillary – Mt. Rainier National Park, Yakima County Washington, 08/08/25.

Fritillary
A fritillary but not sure which one. – Criterion Tract, Wasco County Oregon, 05/25/25.

Fritillary on an orange agoseris
Another of the fritillaries. – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Linn County Oregon, 07/17/25.

Western sulphur
Wester sulphur – Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 06/14/25.

Indra swallowtail
Indra swallowtail – Criterion Tract, Wasco County Oregon, 05/25/25.

Swallowtail
Pale tiger swallowtail – Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 06/14/25.

When it comes to the Lycaenidae Family (Gossamer Wings) I am almost always out of my depth trying to identify them.
Copper butterfly
Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Marion County Oregon, 07/14/25.

Butterfly on whitestem frasera
Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 05/24/25.

Butterfly on lupine
Mt. Washington Wilderness, Linn County Oregon, 07/19/25.

Butterfly
Criterion Tract, Wasco County Oregon, 05/25/25.

Butterfly
Olympic National Park, Clallam County Washington, 05/13/25.

Butterflies near the Kinzel Cabin
These might be Echo Azures – Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 05/24/25.

Crab
Crab – Olympic National Park, Clallam County Wasing 05/14/25.

Shell
Hermit Crab – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Velella velella
Velalla velella – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Anemone
Anemones – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Starfish
Starfish – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Lions mane jellyfish
Lions mane jellyfish – Rockaway Beach, 09/06/25.

Sealion
Sealion – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Seals
Seals – Olympic National Park, 05/15/25.

Sea otter
Sea otter, albeit a poor picture – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Tree frog
Tree frog – Mt. Washington Wilderness, 07/19/25.

Frog
Frog – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, 07/14/25.

Bullfrog
Bullfrog (invasive) – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/25.

Painted and a western pond turtle
Painted and western pond turtles – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/25.

Dunn's salamander
Dunn’s salamander – Thurston Hills, 04/19/25.

Rough skinned newt
Rough skinned newt – Driftwood Beach, 01/11/25.

Lizard
Lizard – Mt. Hood National Forest, 05/24/25.

Snake
Snake – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/25.

Snake on Patterson Road 600
Snake – McDonald-Dunn Forest, 07/05/25.

Western racer
Western racer – Mt. Hood National Forest, 05/24/25.

Western rattlesnake
Western rattlesnake – Criterion Tract, 05/25/25.

Olympic chipmunk
Olympic chipmunk – Olympic National Park, 05/13/25.

Chipmunk
Townsend’s? chipmunk – Silver Falls State Park, 10/13/25.

Yellow Pine Chipmunk
Yellow pine chipmunk – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/04/25.

Golden-mantled ground squirrel
Golden-mantled ground squirrel – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/04/25.

Squirrel
Douglas’ squirrel – Olympic National Park, 05/13/25.

Gray squirrel
Western gray squirrel – William L. Finely National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/25.

Ground squirrel
California ground squirrel – E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area, 04/27/25.

Nutria
Nutria (invasive) – Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, 05/01/25.

Yellow-bellied marmot
Yellow-bellied marmot – Three Sisters Wilderness, 07/15/25.

Hoary marmot
Hoary marmot – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/05/25.

Pika
Pika – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, 07/14/25.

Rabbit
Rabbit – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/25.

Racoon
Racoon – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Skunk
Skunk – Mt. Hood National Forest, 05/26/25.

Coyote
Coyote – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/25.

Doe along the Avalanche Lily Trail
Black-tailed deer – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/04/25.

Buck
Mule deer – Criterion Tract, 05/25/25.

Elk
Elk – Elk Run Trail, 10/11/25.

Mountain goats
Mountain goats – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/05/25.

Being fortunate enough to witness animals in their natural habitat is one of the perks of hiking and we hope to see many more this coming year. We’re still on the lookout for several species that are possibilities. Most notable and likely of these are porcupines, giant pacific salamanders, and cougars. Much less likely but possible are wolves, wolverines, and moose among others. Happy Trails!

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Hiking Year-end wrap up

2025 Waterfall Gallery

We visited a number of nice waterfalls in 2025, some new to us as well as some old favorites. Below are the named, and a couple of unnamed, falls we saw in the order witnessed.
Shellburg Falls
Shellburg Falls – Santiam State Forest, OR

Lower Shellburg Falls
Lower Shellburg Falls – Santiam State Forest, OR

Stassel Falls
Stassel Falls – Santiam State Forest, OR

Cascade along the Falls Loop
Unnamed falls – Barlow Wayside Park, OR

Labyrinth Falls
Labyrinth Falls – Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA

Unnamed waterfall along the Nels Rogers Trail
Unnamed waterfall – Tillamook State Forest, OR

University Falls
University Falls – Tillamook State Forest, OR

Loon Lake Falls
Loon Lake Falls – Elliott State Forest, OR

Camp Creek Falls
Camp Creek Falls – Douglas County, OR

Beaver Falls
Beaver Falls – Columbia County, OR

Barrier Falls
Barrier Falls – Clatsop State Forest, OR

Mineral Creek Falls
Mineral Creek Falls – Olympic National Park, WA

Sol Duc Falls
Sol Duc Falls – Olympic National Park, WA

Marymere Falls
Marymere Falls – Olympic National Park, WA

Wildwood Falls
Wildwood Falls – Lane County, OR

Shadow Falls
Shadow Falls – Umpqua National Forest, OR

Cavitt Creek Falls
Cavitt Creek Falls – Douglas County, OR

Clearwater Falls
Clearwater Falls – Umpqua National Forest, OR

Whitehorse Falls
Whitehorse Falls – Umpqua National Forest, OR

Umbrella Falls
Umbrella Falls – Mt. Hood National Forest, OR

Whitewater Falls
Whitewater Falls – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR

Obsidian Falls
Obsidian Falls – Three Sisters Wilderness, OR

Walupt Falls
Walupt Falls – Goat Rocks Wilderness, WA

Myrtle Falls
Myrtle Falls – Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

Narada Falls
Narada Falls – Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

Christine Falls
Christine Falls – Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

Carter Falls
Carter Falls – Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

Madcap Falls
Madcap Falls – Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

Silver Falls
Silver Falls – Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

Van Trump Falls along Van Trump Creek
Van Trump Falls – Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

Bloucher Falls
Bloucher Falls – Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

Comet Falls
Comet Falls – Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

Fairy Falls
Fairy Falls – Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

South Falls
South Falls – Silver Falls State Park, OR

Lower South Falls
Lower South Falls – Silver Falls State Park, OR

Lower North Falls
Lower North Falls – Silver Falls State Park, OR

Drake Falls
Drake Falls – Silver Falls State Park, OR

Double Falls
Double Falls – Silver Falls State Park, OR

Middle North Falls
Middle North Falls – Silver Falls State Park, OR

Twin Falls
Twin Falls – Silver Falls State Park, OR

North Falls
North Falls – Silver Falls State Park, OR

Upper North Falls
Upper North Falls – Silver Falls State Park, OR

Upper Lava Canyon Falls
Upper Lava Canyon Falls – Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA

Lava Canyon Falls
Lava Canyon Falls – Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA

Middle Lava Canyon Falls
Middle Lava Canyon Falls – Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA

Lower Lava Canyon Falls
Lower Lava Canyon Falls – Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA

Zigzag Canyon Falls
Zigzag Canyon Falls – Mt. Hood Wilderness, OR

June Lake
June Lake Falls – Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA

Winter Falls
Winter Falls – Silver Falls State Park, OR

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Koosah Falls – Willamette National Forest, OR

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Unnamed Falls – Willamette National Forest, OR

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Sahalie Falls – Willamette National Forest, OR

IMG_3545
Unnamed waterfall- Santiam State Forest, OR

There are still a number of waterfalls in Western Oregon and many further away that we hope to visit someday. A handful of those are on the schedule for 2026. Happy Trails!

Categories
Hiking Year-end wrap up

The Hikes of 2025 – A Look Back

2025 was the first time in several years where we weren’t focused on achieving a specific hiking goal. It also marked the first year in which I had significantly more vacation time than Heather. We also adjusted our off-season modus operandi from “one hike a month” to “at least one hike a month and more if the weather cooperates”. These factors along with some medical restrictions resulted in a very different set of hikes in 2025 than previous years. For the first time since 2014 we didn’t spend any time backpacking, spent minimal time hiking in either Eastern or Southern Oregon, and for only the second time since 2012 failed to hike at an elevation above 8000′. In fact, it was the first year in which the average highest elevation of our outings came in under 3000′ at 2947′.

One thing that did not change was our focus on visiting new trails or, in the case of areas we’d visited before, new sections of trail. Together, Heather and I spent 46 days exploring trails, and I headed out on an additional 20 days. The 66 days for me marked the most days hiking in a calendar year topping the previous high of 64 in 2017. With multiple stops on several of the days the number of trailheads I started off from was 98 (75 for Heather). Fifty-eight of those ninety-eight stops, and twenty-eight of the days were entirely new. The only hike that was 100% on trails previously hiked was to celebrate our friend’s birthday with a hike to Dimple Hill in the McDonald-Dunn Forest. The hikes on our 46 days together came to 402.8 miles with another 245 miles on my 20 solo hikes resulting 647.8 miles for me in 2025. Of those miles 440.6 were new. Our shortest hike was just 0.9-miles when we stopped to check out McCredie Hot Springs on the way home from Bend in October, and my longest was the 17.8-mile Obsidian Loop in the Three Sisters Wilderness in July.

As far as where we spent our time the Central Cascades were at the top followed by the Oregon Coast & Coast Range, NW Oregon, and Washington. The hikes in Washington were one of the reasons for the low number of hikes in Eastern and Southern Oregon. Our two vacations were spent at National Parks in that state, Olympic and Mt. Rainier.
Screenshot 2025-12-20 050649
Locations of the trailheads we started from in 2025. (There are 96 THs since we hiked multiple trails on a number of days.)

Our northernmost hike this year, Ozette Triangle in Olympic National Park, was also the furthest north we’d ever hiked. This was also the furthest west we would be all year.
View from the beach
Looking north from the most northerly location we’ve been.

Our southernmost hike was on the Cow Creek Trail SE of Roseburg, OR in the Umpqua National Forest.
Blowdown and a slide along the Cow Creek Trail
Downed trees that marked my turn around point, and southernmost point, on the Cow Creek Trail.

Not surprisingly our easternmost hike was our sole hike in Eastern Oregon in the BLM’s Criterion Tract.
Off-Trail in the Criterion Tract
Roughly the furthest point east we reached this year.

The 2025 wildfire season was comparatively tame to the last few years however there were still more than 1,100 fires from early June to mid-October. According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal over 700 of those fires were human caused which is disappointing as these are by and large avoidable.
While none of the fires directly impacted our plans this year, sadly 200 homes and structures were lost this past year and several trails we’d previously hiked were burned.

On a more positive note, we once again were blessed to be able to see and experience so many beautiful places. So many in fact that in addition to our usual wildlife and wildflower galleries we’re adding one for the waterfalls we saw in 2025.

Driftwood Beach
January – Driftwood Beach, OR

Clackamas River from the McIver Memorial Viewpoint
February – Clackamas River from Milo McIver State Park, OR

Labyrinth Trail
March – Catherine Creek/Coyote Wall, WA (This area burned in July 2025 in the Burdoin Fire.)

Nels Rogers Trail
April – Devil’s Lake Fork, Tillamook State Forest, OR

Rich Guadagno Memorial Loop Trail
April – Basket Slough Wildlife Refuge, OR

Mt. Hood
May – Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, OR

Taft Creek
May – Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park, WA

Devil's Punch Bowl
May – Devil’s Punchbowl, Olympic National Park, WA

Rialto Beach
May – Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, WA

Little Badger Trail
May – Little Badger Trail, Mt. Hood National Forest, OR

Deschutes River Canyon
May – Deschutes River, BLM Criterion Tract, OR

Blue Lake
June – Blue Lake, Hampton Family Forests (Private Timberland), OR

Fivemile Butte Lookout
June – Fivemile Butte Lookout, Mt. Hood National Forest, OR

Champoeg State Heritage Area
June – Champoeg State Park, OR

Clearwater River
June – Clearwater River, Umpqua National Forest, OR

Elk Camp Shelter
Elk Camp Shelter, Willamette National Forest, OR

Middle Wizard Way Trail
July – Mt. Hood, OR

Mt. Jefferson form Bays Lake
July – Bays Lake, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR

North Sister, Middle Sister and the Collier Glacier from Collier Cone
July – Three Sisters Wilderness, OR

Three Fingered Jack from Craig Lake
July – Craig Lake, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR

Hoodoo and Hayrick Buttes from Big Lake
July – Big Lake, Willamette National Forest, OR

Walupt Lake
August – Walupt Lake, Goat Rocks Wilderness, OR

Mt. Rainier
August – Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

Mount Fremont Trail
August – Mt. Freemont Trail, Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

Snow Lake
August – Snow Lake, Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

Mt. Rainier and Naches Peak
August – Naches Peak Loop, Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

Ladder along the Lava Canyon Trail
August – Lava Canyon Trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA

Zigzag Canyon
September – Zigzag Canyon, Mt. Hood Wilderness, OR

Twin Rocks
September – Twin Rocks, Rockaway Beach, OR

Tarn below Broken Top
September – Three Sisters Wilderness, OR

Duffy Butte from Duffy Lake
September – Duffy Lake, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR

View from Fuji Mountain
September – Fuji Mountain, Willamette National Forest, OR

Mt. St. Helens from the Loowit Trail
September – Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA

Charlton Butte from Charlton Lake
September – Charlton Lake, Deschutes National Forest, OR

Head of Jack Creek
October – Head of Jack Creek, Deschutes National Forest, OR

Nehalem River
October – Nehalem River, Nehalem, OR

Smith Creek Trail
October – Silver Falls State Park, OR

Mt. Jefferson and Three Fingered Jack
October – Maxwell Butte, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR

Mushrooms along the Equestrian Trail
October – Willamette Mission State Park, OR

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November – Silver Falls State Park, OR

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November – Clear Lake, Willamette National Forest, OR

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December – Little Rock Creek, Santiam State Forest, OR

Looking ahead to 2026 there are still trails we’ve yet to explore and many that we’d be more than happy to revisit. We’re looking forward to continuing the journey for as long as we are able. Happy Trails and have a wonderful New Year!

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Year-end wrap up

2024 Wildflower Gallery Part 1

In 2018 we began a tradition of posting a collection of the variety of flowers that we encountered during that year’s hikes. We continue to work on learning to identify the flowers we see and remain 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. We’ve split this into two posts this year due to the number of pictures (Part 2). (Any IDs provided are best guesses and any corrections or additional IDs are greatly appreciated.)

The first blooms we spotted were Indian plum during a February 24th hike at Fernhill Wetlands in Forest Grove (post).
Indian plum

Here are the others with date and location/hike. 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.
AgoserisAgoseris – July 26th – Mount Howard, OR

AllumrootAllumroot – July 26th – Mount Howard, OR

Alpine pennycressAlpine pennycress – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA

American saw-wortAmerican Sawwort (Saussurea americana) – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

An arnicaArnica – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

AnemoneDrummond’s anemone seedhead – August 4th – Crater Lake National Park, OR

AnemonesColumbia windflower (Anemone deltoidea) – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA

Apple blossomsApple blossoms – April 13th – St. Cloud Trail, WA

ArnicaHeartleaf arnica – May 26th – Bull Prairie Lake, OR

ArnicaBroadleaf arnica – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA

Arrowleaf buckwheatArrowleaf buckwheat – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR

AsterWestern mountain aster – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR

AsterShowy? aster – August 22nd – East Fork Wallowa River Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Buckwheat and asterThick-stemmed aster and buckwheat – July 21st – Granny View Overlook (Hells Canyon), OR

Aster or fleabaneAnother aster (or fleabane) – August 20th – Bowman Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

AvensLargeleaf avens – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR

Bachelor buttonsBachelor buttons (non-native) – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA

Ballhead sandwortBallhead sandwort – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Ballhead waterleafBallhead waterleaf – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR

BalsamrootCarey’s balsamroot – May 25th – Willow Creek Canyon, OR

BalsamrootArrowleaf balsamroot – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR

BaneberryBaneberry – May 18th – Wilson River Trail, OR

Bastard toadflaxBastard toadflax – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain, OR

BeardtongueWoodland beardtongue – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR

BeargrassBeargrass – June 8th – Cedar Butte, OR

Big leaf mapleBigleaf maple – March 30th – Mulkey Ridge Trail (Corvallis), OR

BindweedBindweed – August 18th – Cliff Creek Trail (Wallowa-Whitman National Forest), OR

BiscuitrootBarestem biscuitroot – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR

BlackberryTrailing blackberry – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR

Bleeding heartBleeding heart – April 27th – Devil’s Rest Trail, OR

Blue-eyed MaryBlue-eyed Mary – April 13th – Wind Mountain, WA

Bluebell-of-ScotlandBluebell-of-Scotland – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR

Bluehead giliaBluehead gilia – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA

Bog orchidBog Orchid – July 23rd – McCully Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Bolander's ragwortBolander’s Ragwort – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA

Buckhead Nature TrailDaisies (non-native) – June 19th – Buckhead Nature Trail, OR

Sulphur-flower wild buckwheatSulphur-flower wild buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum) – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR

BuckwheatBarestem wild buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum) – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR

Cushion wild buckwheatCushion wild buckwheat – July 26th – Mount Howard, OR

Alpine buckwheatAlpine wild buckwheat – August 4th – Crater Lake National Park, OR

Buek's groundselBuek’s groundsel – July 26th – Mount Howard, OR

BugbaneCarolina bugbane – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

BunchberryBunchberry – July 13th – Joyce Lake Trail, OR

ButtercupButtercup – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR

Butterfly on bistortBistort – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR

California-teaCalifornia-tea – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR

California cornlilyCalifornia cornlily – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

CamasCamas – April 20th – Jackson Bottom Wetlands, OR

Canadian milk-vetchCanadian milk-vetch – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

CandyflowerCandy flower – April 13th – Sams-Walker Day Use Area, WA

Cardwell's penstemonCardwell’s penstemon – June 8th – Tillamook State Forest (Road FB3), OR

CatchflyCatchfly – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA

CeanothusCeanothus – June 15th – O’Leary Mountain Trail, OR

Checker (chocolate) liliesChocolate lily – April 13th – Doetsch Ranch, WA

Checker-mallowMeadow checker-mallow – May 28th – Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR

CheckerbloomRose checker-mallow – May 28th – Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR

CheckermallowOregon checker-mallow – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

ChickweedChickweed – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA

CinquefoilCinquefoil – June 29th – Hiyu Ridge, OR

CinquefoilShrubby cinquefoil – July 21st – Hat Point, OR

ClarkiaFarewell to spring (Clarkia amoena) – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA

Cliff beardtongueCliff beardtongue – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA

Clodius on mountain coyote mintCoyote mountain mint – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR

CloverClover – August 22nd – East Fork Wallowa River Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Coastal manrootCoastal manroot – May 11th – Crescent Beach Trail, OR

Columbian larkspurColumbian larkspur – March 16th – Middle Fork Willamette Path (Eugene), OR

ColumbineColumbine – June 29th – Hiyu Ridge, OR

Common butterwort?Common butterwort? – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Common madiaCommon madia – May 28th – Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR

Common whippleaCommon whipplea – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR

ConeflowerConeflower – August 17th – Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area, OR

Cusick's speedwellCusick’s speedwell – July 23rd – McCully Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Cut-leaf thelypodyCut-leaf thelypody – May 25th – Willow Creek Trail, OR

Cutleaf anemoneCutleaf anemone – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Death camasDeath camas – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR

Desert yellow fleabaneDesert yellow fleabane – May 25th – Willow Creek Trail, OR

Devil's clubDevil’s club – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR

DogwoodDogwood – April 20th – Rood Bridge Park, OR

Dusty maidensDusty maidens – July 26th – East Peak (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Dwarf aplinegoldDwarf alpinegold – August 4th – Crater Lake National Park, OR

Dwarf lupineDwarf lupine – August 4th – Crater Lake National Park, OR

ElderberryElderberry – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain, OR

Elephants headElephants head – July 25th – Minam River Trail, OR

Elkhorn clarkiaElkhorn clarkia – July 21st – Granny View Overlook (Hells Canyon), OR

English plantainEngilish plantain (non-native) – May 11th – Fort Stevens State Park, OR

Explorer's gentianExplorer’s gentian – September 21st – Black Wolf Meadows, OR

Fairy bellsFairy bells – April 27th – Wahkeena Trail, OR

Fairy lanternsFairy lanterns – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR

Fairy slipperFairy slipper – April 13th – Wind Mountain, WA

Fawn liliesFawn lilies – March 30th – Mulkey Ridge Trail (Corvallis), OR

Felt-leaf everlastingFelt-leaf everlasting – August 4th – Crater Lake National Park, OR

Finetooth beardtongueFinetooth beardtongue – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA

FireweedFireweed – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Flase helleboreFalse hellebore – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

FleabaneA fleabane? – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain, OR

Showy FleabaneShowy? fleabane – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Flett's ragwortFlett’s ragwort – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR

Ground-ivy (non-native) at Sams-Walker Day Use AreaGround-ivy (non-native) – April 13th – Sams-Walker Day Use Area, WA

Foam flowerFoam flower – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA

FringecupFringecup – April 13th – Lower Archer Falls, WA

Fringed pinesapFringed pinesap – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR

GentianGentian – August 19th – Pine Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

GeraniumGeranium – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Ghost pipeGhost pipe – August 22nd – East Fork Wallowa River Trail, OR

Giant wakerobinGiant purple wakerobin (Trillium kurabayashii) – April 20th – Jackson Bottom Wetlands, OR

Giant white wakerobinGiant white wakerobin (Trillium albidum) – April 20th – Jackson Bottom Wetlands, OR

GingerWild ginger – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA

Glacier liliesGlacier lilies- May 26th – Madison Butte, OR

GoldenrodRocky Mountain goldenrod – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Gold starsGold stars – April 27th – Wahkeena Trail, OR

Grass-of-parnassuisGrass-of-parnassus – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Grass widowsGrass widows – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR

Gray's licorice-rootGray’s licorice-root – August 3rd – Castle Crest Wildflower Trail (Crater Lake NP), OR

Greene's goldenbushGreene’s goldenbush – August 3rd – The Pinnacles Trail (Crater Lake NP), OR

GroundselGroundsel – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA

HarebellsHarebells – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

HedgenettleHedgenettle – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR

Hoary CressHoary Cress (non-native) – May 25th – Barnes Butte (Prineville), OR

HoneysuckleHoneysuckle – June 29th – Hiyu Ridge Trail, OR

Hooded ladies tressesHooded ladies tresses – August 20th – Chimney Lake Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Idaho licorice-rootIdaho licorice-root – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Inside-out flowerInside-out-flower – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR

Jacob's-ladderRoyal Jacob’s ladder – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR

Jacob's ladderJacob’s ladder – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Jessica stickseedJessica’s stickseed – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR

Lance-leaf spring beautyLance-leaf spring beauty – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR

Large-flower triteleiaLarge-flower triteleia – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA

Largeleaf sandwortLargeleaf sandwort – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain Trail, OR

LarkspurMenzies’ Larkspur (Delphinium menziesii) – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR

LarkspurPossibly rockslide larkspur (Delphinium glareosum) – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR

LarkspurSierra larkspur (Delphinium glaucum) – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Leafy fleabaneLeafy fleabane – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR

Leafy mitrewortLeafy miterwort – May 18th – Wilson River Trail, OR

Lemon-scented madiaLemon-scented madia – May 25th – Willow Creek Canyon, OR

Lewis flaxLewis flax – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain, OR

Lewis monkeyflowerLewis monkeyflower – August 3rd – Castle Crest Wildflower Trail (Crater Lake NP), OR

Lily of the valleyFalse lily of the valley – April 20th – Rood Bridge Park, OR

Little-leaf montiaLittleleaf montia – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR

Little prince's pineLittle prince’s pine – June 15th – O’Leary Mountain Trail, OR

Longhorn plectritisLonghorn plectritis – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR

Sickletop lousewortSickletop louswort – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR

LousewortCoiled lousewort – July 23rd – McCully Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

LupineLupine – May 18th – Wilson River Trail, OR

LupineLupine – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Lyall's GoldenweedLyall’s goldenweed – July 26th – Mount Howard, OR

MicroserisMicroseris – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA

Milk-vetchBasalt? milk-vetch – May 25th – Barnes Butte (Prineville), OR

Mock orangeMock orange – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

MonkeyflowerCommon monkey-flower (Erythranthe guttata) – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA

MonkeyflowerChickweed monkey-flower (Erythranthe alsinoides) – June 8th – Cedar Butte Road, OR

MonkeyflowerCoastal monkey-flower (Erythranthe dentata) – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR

MonkshoodMonkshood – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Mountain ashMountain ash – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Mountain death camasMountain death camas – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Mountain heatherMountain heather – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR

Musk monkeyflowerMusk monkey-flower (Erythranthe moschata) – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR

Naked broomrapeNaked broomrape – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain, OR

Nettle-leaf giant hyssopNettle-leaf giant hyssop – July 21st – Granny View Overlook (Hells Canyon), OR

Northern phloxNorthern phlox – June 15th – O’Leary Mountain Trail, OR

Northwestern rabbit-tabbacoNorthwestern rabbit-tabbaco – September 13th – Pacific Crest Trail (Mt. Jefferson Wilderness), OR

Northwestern twaybladeNorthwestern twayblade – July 13th – Nasty Rock Trail, OR

Nuttall's linanthusNuttall’s linanthus – July 25th – Minam River Trail, OR

Categories
Hiking Year-end wrap up

2023 Wildlife Gallery Part 2 – Featherless Friends

As we did last year we’ve split our wildlife recap into two posts, feathered (post) and featherless. As with all our wildflower and wildlife posts any corrections or additions to our attempts at identifying what we’ve photographed is greatly appreciated. One other note, while we really enjoy taking pictures as a way to record what we see on our hikes, we are by no means photographers. We use our phones and a point and shoot camera on the auto setting, so the pictures are far from professional, but we hope you enjoy them. Finally, we do practice Leave No Trace Principles including Principle 6: Respect Wildlife which means observing from a distance, never feeding, and respecting any area wildlife closures. We urge others to do the same and recreate responsibly.

The highlight of the year was getting to watch a badger make its way down Central Patrol Road in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on 9/4/23.Badger

AntsHarvester ants – 5/29/23, Riley Ranch Preserve, Bend

PenstemonAnt on penstemon – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Crab spider on California harebellsCrab spider on a California harebell – 6/25/23, North Umpqua Trail, BLM Roseburg District

Bee on a sunflowerBee – 9/3/23, Threemile Canyon, BLM Burns District

Bees on Sand MountainBees – 7/8/23, Sand Mountain, Willamette National Forest

Prickly pear cactusSweat bee? and a beetle on a prickly pear cactus – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

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

Beetle and clodius parnassiansBeetle – 7/29/23, Stuart Falls Trail, Crater Lake National Park

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

Beetle on spireaBeetle and another bug on spirea – 7/4/23, Rocky Top Trail, Santiam State Forest

Bettles on thistleBeetles on thistle – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Ladybug on a daisyLadybug on a daisy – 7/4/23, Natural Arch Trail, Santiam State Forest

Potato bugCommon pill-bug – 6/25/23, North Bank Habitat, BLM Roseburg District

Stink bugBeetle – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

Beetle and a butterfly on buckwheatBeetle and a butterfly on buckwheat – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

GrasshopperGrasshopper – 9/3/23, P Ranch, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

CricketCricket – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

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

CaterpillarCaterpillar – 7/1/23, Hummocks Trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA

Moth larva on larkspurCaterpillar – 8/16/23, West Eagle Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

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

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

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

Fireweed Clearwing Moth (Albuna pyramidalis)Fireweed Clearwing Moth (Albuna pyramidalis) – 7/4/23, Niagra Heights Road, Santiam State Forest

Moth on Oregon sunshineMoth – 7/4/23, Niagra Heights Road, Santiam State Forest

MothsMoths – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husum, WA

Pretty moth along the Buck Creek TrailMoth – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husum, WA

MothMoth – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husum, WA

MothMoth – 6/16/23, Trail 1890, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

MothMoth – 7/4/23, Rocky Top Trail, North Santiam State Park

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

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

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

Moth on a logMoth – 7/8/23, Santiam Wagon Road, Willamette National Forest

Sphinx mothSphinx moth – 8/17/23, West Eagle Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Fly and butterfly on buckwheatFly and butterfly – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

Boisduval's blueBoisduval’s blues? – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husum, WA

Acmon blue?Acmon blue? – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

Eastern tailed blue - best guessEastern tailed blue? – 5/13/23, Graham Oaks Nature Park, Wilsonville

ButterflyButterfly in the Lycaenidae family – 5/2/23, Sterling Mind Ditch Trail System, BLM Medford District

ButterflyButterfly in the Lycaenidae family – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

ButterflyButterfly in the Lycaenidae family – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

ButterflyButterfly in the Lycaenidae family – 6/13/23, Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site, Joseph

Echo Azure butterfliesEcho azures? – 5/4/23, Forest Road 011, Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest

Butterfly on a cat's ear lilyButterfly in the Lycaenidae family – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husum, WA

Butterflies on Oregon sunshineButterflies in the Lycaenidae family – 7/4/23, Niagra Heights Road, Santiam State Forest

Gray hairstreakGray hairstreak – 6/11/23, Lewis & Clark Trail, Hermiston

HairstreakThicket hairstreak? – 7/8/23, Sand Mountain, Willamette National Forest

Hairstreak on Oregon sunshineA hairstreak – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husum, WA

Butterflies along Deep CreekVarious butterflies – 6/16/23, Deep Creek Stairway Trail, Payette National Forest, ID

Lorquin's admiralLorquin’s admiral – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Red AdmiralRed admiral – 7/23/23, Metolius River Trail, Deschutes National Forest

California sisterCalifornia sister – 10/8/23, Forest Road 041, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Painted ladyPainted lady – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Tortoiseshell butterfly California tortoiseshell – 9/16/23, Fish Lake Trail, Mt. Hood National Forest

Milbert's tortoiseshellMilbert’s tortoiseshell – 8/14/23, Main Eagle Creek Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Hoary commaHoary comma – 7/8/23, Sand Mountain, Willamette National Forest

Mourning cloakMourning cloak – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Common wood nymphCommon wood nymph – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Ochre ringlet on rough eyelashweedOchre ringlet – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

CheckerspotCheckerspot – 7/29/23, Stuart Falls Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Checkerspot on dwarf lupineCheckerspot – 7/1/23, Boundary Trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA

Snowberry checkerspotSnowberry checkerspot – 7/1/23, Boundary Trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA

Edith's checkerspotEdith’s checkerspot – 7/8/23, Sand Mountain, Willamette National Forest

Mylitta crescentMylitta crescent – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Mylitta crescentA crescent? – 5/13/23, Graham Oaks Nature Park, Wilsonville

Fritillaries on scatFritillary butterflies – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

Fritillary butterflyA fritillary – 7/4/23, Rocky Top Trail, Santiam State Forest

A fritillary butterflyA fritillary – 7/15/23, Forest Road 4610, Mt. Hood National Forest

Indra swallowtailIndra swallowtail – 5/4/23, Kerby Flat Trail, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Ladybug and an Oregon swallowtailOregon swallowtail? with ladybug – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

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

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

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

Sulphur butterfly on asterA sulphur – 9/9/23, Alta Lake Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness

Large marbleLarge marble – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

Becker's whiteBecker’s white – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Male margined white?Male margined white? – 8/29/23, Newell Creek Canyon Nature Park, Oregon City

Mountain parnassianMountain parnassian – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Clodius parnassianClodius parnassian – 7/29/23, Pumice Flat Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Silver-spotted Skipper on common buglossSilver-spotted Skipper – 6/14/23, Eureka Bar, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

SkipperA skipper – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District

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

SkipperA skipper – 6/24/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, Wild Rogue Wilderness

SkipperA skipper – 9/3/23, Threemile Canyon, BLM Burns District

Skipper on a sagebrush mariposa lilySkipper on a sagebrush mariposa lily – 7/23/23, Metolius River Trail, Deschutes National Forest

Skipper on asterA skipper – 9/3/23, P Ranch, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

Duskywing on a peaDuskywing? – 6/24/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, Wild Rogue Wilderness

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

Dreamy duskywingDreamy duskywing – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

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

DragonflyDragonfly – 7/1/23, Hummocks Trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA

DragonflyDragonfly – 7/15/23, Plaza Lake, Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness

DragonflyDragonfly – 7/31/23, Godfrey Glen Trail, Crater Lake National Park

DragonflyDragonfly – 9/2/23, Idlewild Loop Trail, Malheur National Forest

Slug on the Licorice Fern TrailSlug – 4/29/23, Canemah Bluff Nature Park, Oregon City

SnailSnail – 4/15/23, Enchanted Valley Trail, Siuslaw National Forest

Rough skinned newtRough skinned newt – 4/15/23, Cape Mountain, Siuslaw National Forest

TadpolesTadpoles – 9/9/23, Pacific Crest Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness

Cascade toadsWestern toads – 9/9/23, Pacific Crest Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness

Cascade toadFull grown western toad – 9/9/23, Pacific Crest Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness

FrogCascade frog – 9/9/23, Pacific Crest Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness

FrogPacific treefrog – 9/3/23, Threemile Canyon, BLM Burns District

Northern red-legged frogNorthern red-legged frog – 8/26/23, Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Cloverdale

BullfrogBullfrog (invasive) – 4/22/23, Talking Water Gardens, Albany

Western pond turtlesWestern pond turtles – 4/22/23, Talking Water Gardens, Albany

Alligator lizardSouthern alligator lizard – 6/24/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, Wild Rogue Wilderness

Lizard along the Waters Creek Interpretive TrailWestern fence lizard – 5/3/23, Waters Creek Interpretive Trail, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

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

Pygmy short-horned lizardPygmy short-horned lizard – 7/8/23, Santiam Wagon Road, Willamette National Forest

Gopher snakeGopher snake – 6/25/23, North Bank Habitat, BLM Roseburg District

Snake along the Dave Clark Riverfront PathGarter snake – 4/22/23, Dave Clark Riverfront Path, Albany

Snake on the Imnaha TrailRubber boa? – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

NutriaNutria (invasive) – 5/13/23, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Sherwood

BeaverBeaver – 5/29/23, Riley Ranch Preserve, Bend

Yellow-bellied marmotYellow-bellied marmot – 7/31/23, Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Gray squirrelGray squirrel – 4/22/23, Dave Clark Riverfront Path, Albany

SquirrelDouglas’ squirrel – 4/22/23, Dave Clark Riverfront Path, Albany

SquirrelEastern fox squirrel? – 4/29/23, Newell Creek Canyon Nature Park, Oregon City

Columbian ground squirrelColumbian ground squirrel – 8/16/23, Tombstone Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Golden-mantled ground squirrelGolden-mantled ground squirrel – 7/31/23, Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

ChipmunkChipmunk – 8/5/23, McNeil Point scramble trail, Mt. Hood Wilderness

PikaPika – 8/5/23, McNeil Point Trail, Mt. Hood Wilderness

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

RabbitMountain cottontail – 5/29/23, Riley Ranch Preserve, Bend

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

DoeDoe – 5/20/23, Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Washougal, WA

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

Elk along the road to Buckhorn LookoutElk – 6/15/23, Buckhorn Road (FR 46), Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Horses seen from the Threemile TrailHorses – 9/3/23, Threemile Canyon, BLM Burns District

Bat in the Sterling Mine Ditch TunnelBat -5/2/23, Sterling Mine Ditch Tunnel, BLM Medford District

SealsSeals – 11/18/23, Siletz Bay, Lincoln City

ShellShell with inhabitant – 11/18/23, Nelscott Beach, Lincoln City

Starfish at Short BeachStarfish – 10/28/23, Short Beach, Oceanside

Trout in Tombstone LakeTrout – 8/16/23, Tombstone Lake, Eagle Cap Wilderness

Fish in Hells Canyon ReservoirFish – 6/16/23, Hells Canyon Reservoir, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

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

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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!

Categories
Hiking Oregon Year-end wrap up

2022 Waterfalls

The 2022 hiking season wound up being full of waterfalls. That wasn’t necessarily the plan at the beginning of the year but when Heather’s season was cut short I wound up doing three waterfall filled hikes on top of several waterfall hikes we’d done earlier in the year. By the end of the year we’d seen 50+ named waterfalls and 20 unnamed cascades. That seems like enough to warrant a post so here are the waterfalls and cascades that we saw throughout the year.

Starting with the unnamed cascades were a pair of small drops near the Nehalem Divide Railroad Tunnel.
Small falls near the Nehalem Divide Railroad Tunnel

Falls on the East Fork Nehalem River

On that same hike we visited a seasonal fall just off the Crown Zellerbach Trail.
Season fall along the CZ Trail

In April we saw a series of cascades along Silvas Creek from the Klickitat Trail
Falls on Silvas Creek

Falls on Silvas Creek

During a June hike to Black Hole Falls we passed three unnamed cascades on the North Fork Siouxon Trail.
Small cascade along the North Fork Siouxon Trail

Small fall on an unnamed creek

Waterfall on an unnamed creek

The following week we passed a nice little fall on the North Umpqua River Trail heading to Lemolo Falls.
Waterfall along the North Umpqua River

Our next notable unnamed cascade was below Devil’s Punchbowl in the Siskiyou Wilderness which we visited on July 2nd.
IMG_5964

On July 12th we encountered an impressive split cascade in the Eagle Cap Wilderness on the way to Burger Pass along the Buck Creek Trail.
IMG_7288

In August we saw a few unnamed falls/cascades starting with a little slide falls along Hemlock Creek.
IMG_8812

IMG_9353Unnamed waterfall along Riley Creek in the Mt. Adams Wilderness

IMG_9973Unnamed waterfall below East Boulder Lake in the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

A September hike along Union Creek produced several unnamed cascades.
IMG_2310

IMG_2329

IMG_2334

IMG_2375

My October waterfalls hikes produced two unnamed cascades.
IMG_3330Cascade on Wahkeena Creek.

IMG_4244Small cascade along the North Fork Silver Creek.

The final unnamed cascade came on a chilly November hike along the Eagle Creek Trail beyond Seven Mile Falls.
IMG_4722

Now for the named waterfalls (All names come from the Northwest Waterfall Survey.)
Mosier Creek FallsMosier Creek Falls (post)

Black Hole FallsBlack Hole Falls (post)

Highway 138 Waterfalls (post)
Susan Creek FallsSusan Creek Falls

Toketee FallsToketee Falls

Surprise FallsSurprise Falls

Columnar FallsColumnar Falls

Watson FallsWatson Falls

Warm Springs FallsWarm Springs Falls

Lemolo FallsLemolo Falls

Alsea Falls Recreation Area (post)
IMG_8570Alsea Falls

IMG_8601Green Peak Falls

Hemlock Creek/Lake (post)
IMG_8749Yasko Falls

IMG_8773Hemlock Falls

Tributary FallsTributary Falls

Middle Hemlock FallsMiddle Hemlock Falls

Clover FallsClover Falls

Grotto FallsGrotto Falls

Wolf Creek and Fall Creek Falls (post)

IMG_9061Fall Creek Falls

IMG_9111Upper tier of Wolf Creek Falls

IMG_9128Lower tier of Wolf Creek Falls

South Umpqua FallsSouth Umpqua Falls (post)

20220920_070421Union Creek Falls (post)

IMG_2910Chitwood Creek Falls

Larch Mountain Trail (post)
IMG_3043Multnomah Falls

IMG_3093Lower Dutchman Falls

IMG_3098Upper Dutchman Falls

IMG_3108Wiesendanger Falls

IMG_3112Ecola Falls

IMG_3326Fairy Falls

IMG_3357Wahkeena Falls

Silver Falls Perimeter Loop (post)
IMG_4201Upper North Falls

IMG_4230North Falls

IMG_4254Twin Falls

IMG_4264Winter Falls

IMG_4282Middle North Falls

IMG_4301Drake Falls

IMG_4313Double Falls

IMG_4327Lower North Falls

IMG_4354Lower South Falls

IMG_4396South Falls

Eagle Creek Trail (post)
IMG_4443Sorenson Falls

IMG_4459Metlako Falls

IMG_4470Lower Punchbowl Falls

IMG_4479Punchbowl Falls

IMG_4520Loowit Falls

IMG_4551Skoonichuck Falls

Four Mile FallsFour Mile Falls

IMG_4582Tenas Falls

IMG_4612Wy’East Falls

IMG_4644Grand Union Falls

IMG_4770Tunnel Falls

IMG_4685Twister Falls

IMG_4696Seven Mile Falls

Categories
Hiking Year-end wrap up

2022 Wildlife Gallery Part 2 – Featherless Friends

This year we split our wildlife gallery into two posts starting with our feather friends (post). We now move on to our featherless friends which ranged from tiny ants to bull elk and an almost too friendly black bear. It was an especially good year for deer including several encounters with does and fawns.

We’ll start out small and work our way up to the larger mammals.
IMG_6653Ants dropping sawdust from a log along the Catherine Creek Trail. We sat and watched these busy ants for quite a while. They had created a good-sized pile on the ground below.

Lady bugs on Observation PeakWe see a lot of beetles but usually not all at once like these lady bugs on Observation Peak.

LadybugLady bug – Upper Table Rock

Beetle on a California poppyYellow & black beetle – Mule Mountain

IMG_5905Redish brown beetle – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_5941Green beetle – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_6578Hitchhiker – Mt. Ireland

IMG_6831Blueish green beetle – Catherine Creek Meadows

IMG_6836Small beetle – Catherine Creek Meadows

20220711_064348Green beetle on a geranium – Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_8377Green beetle on a wallflower – Silver Star Mountain

IMG_1487Stripped beetle – Spring Valley Greenway

Water skippers on Big Twin LakeWater skippers – Big Twin Lake

IMG_6019Spider on thimbleberry – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_6708Crab spider – Eagle Cap Wilderness

20220714_094414Another crab spider – Eagle Cap Wilderness

20220824_144345Cricket – Pacific Crest Trail

20220824_140037We are often literally struck by grasshoppers as we hike. Sometimes they stick when they hit us such as this one along the PCT.

Bee on phaceliaBee on phacelia – Mule Mountain

Wet bumblebee on lupineWet bee on lupine – Julia Butler Hanson Wildlife Refuge

IMG_8781Bumble bee – Hemlock Creek Trail

IMG_9449Lots of pollen – Mt. Adams Wilderness

Marsh marigold with a visitorBee landing on a marsh marigold along the PCT

IMG_5329Bee approaching penstemon – Siskiyou Wilderness

Bee and ant in bindweedBee and a tiny ant in a bindweed – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_7688Insects on thistle – Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_7600Wasp? – Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_8429Some sort of wasp – Silver Star Mountain

IMG_7791Insect along Bear Creek – Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_0149My brother and I used to call these “weird things”; I have no idea what it actually is – Trinity Alps Wilderness

Damsel flyDamsel fly – Denman Wildlife Area

IMG_8876Damsel fly – Hemlock Lake

IMG_4843Dragon fly – Goat Marsh Lake

IMG_5430Dragon fly – Siskiyou Wilderness

Dragon flyDragon fly – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_7975Dragon fly – Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_8117Dragon fly along the Wallowa River – Wallowa Homeland

IMG_8716Dragon fly – E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area

IMG_8871Dragon fly – Hemlock Lake

IMG_2635Dragon fly – Sky Lakes Wilderness

Snail on the Rock Creek TrailSnail – Rock Creek Trail

Snail on the Payette TrailSnail – Applegate Lake

SnailSnail – North Siouxon Trail

SnailSnail – Julia Hansen Butler Wildlife Refuge

IMG_6043Snail – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_2814Snail – Cascade Head

IMG_3254Slug – Larch Mountain Trail

Slug on a flowerSlug (and a fly) – Susan Creek Trail

IMG_1364Slug – Fish Lake

Slug on lupineSlug on lupine – Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge

Slug and an unfortunate earth wormSlug and an unfortunate earth worm – Rock Creek Trail

Worms on the trailWorms – Chehalem Ridge Nature Park

MillipedeMillipede – North Siouxon Trail

MillipedeMillipede – Rock Creek Trail

Milli or centipedeMillipede – Illahee Rock

MillipedeMillipede – Eagle Cap Wilderness

Woolly bear caterpillarWet caterpillar – Yakona Nature Preserve

IMG_3245Dry version – Larch Mountain Trail

CaterpillarCaterpillar – Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge

IMG_5393Caterpillar – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_5584Caterpillar – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_3169Caterpillar – Larch Mountain Trail

IMG_3240Caterpillar – Larch Mountain Trail

IMG_3243Caterpillar – Larch Mountain Trail

Moth?Moth – Klickitat Trail

IMG_7092Moth -Eagle Cap Wilderness

MothMoth – Twin Lakes

IMG_6645Moth – Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_7670Moth – Eagle Cap Wilderness

20220714_094512Moth – Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_9093Moth – Wolf Creek Falls Trail

IMG_3002Moth – Cascade Head

Propertius duskywing - Erynnis propertiusPropertius duskywing (Erynnis propertius) – Klickitat Trail

IMG_5978Duskywing – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_5374Northern Cloudywing? – Siskiyou Wilderness

Silver-spotted skipperSilver-spotted skipper – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_9637Skipper – Grizzly Peak

IMG_1233Skipper – Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness

IMG_8702Skipper – E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area

A hairstreakHairstreak (bramble?) – Siskiyou Mountains

IMG_5289Cedar hairstreak – Siskiyou Wilderness

Thicket Hairstreak?Hairstreak (possibly thicket) – Eagle Cap Wilderness

Ochre ringlet on fiddleneckOchre ringlet – Jack Ash Trail

IMG_5972Butterfly – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_0779Butterfly – Trinity Alps Wilderness

IMG_0813Butterfly – Trinity Alps Wilderness

Butterfly on buckwheatButterfly – Upper Table Rock

Butterfly on scatButterfly – Mule Mountain

IMG_7644Butterfly – Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_6852Butterfly – Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_9401Butterfly – Mt. Adams Wilderness

IMG_9455Butterfly – Mt. Adams Wilderness

IMG_6555Butterfly – Mt. Ireland

IMG_0243Butterfly – Trinity Alps Wilderness

IMG_8481Butterfly – Silver Star Mountain

IMG_0333Butterfly – Russian Wilderness

IMG_0185Butterfly – Trinity Alps Wilderness

Sara's orangetipSara’s orangetip – Klickitat Trail

IMG_8677Common woodnymph – E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area

IMG_1256Another woodnymph – Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness

IMG_5133Orange sulphur – Siskiyou Wilderness

Mountain ParnassianMountain parnassian – Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_8937Clodius parnassian – Hemlock Lake

20220712_102723Western white? – Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_0926Western white – Trinty Alps Wilderness

20220824_134541Pine white – Russian Wilderness

IMG_6882Butterfly – Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_0311Butterfly – Russian Wilderness

IMG_9418Butterfly – Mt. Adams Wilderness

Possibly a northern checkerspotButterfly – Mule Mountain

IMG_8310Butterfly – Silver Star Mountain

IMG_8508Butterfly – Silver Star Mountain

IMG_8445Butterfly – Silver Star Mountain

IMG_8364Western meadow fritillary? – Silver Star Mountain

IMG_8450A fritillary – Silver Star Mountain

IMG_0210A fritillary – Trinity Alps Wilderness

IMG_0342A fritillary -Russian Wilderness

IMG_1193A fritillary – Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness

Mourning cloakMourning cloak – Klickitat Trail

IMG_5152California tortoiseshell – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_6900Milbert’s tortoiseshell – Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_7654Lorquin’s admiral – Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_9704Common buckeye – Mt. Shasta Wilderness

IMG_2417Hoary comma – Sky Lakes Wilderness

Green comma?Green comma? – Eagle Cap Wilderness

Swallowtails:
Anise swallowtailKlickitat Trail

SwallowtailJulia Butler Hanson Wildlife Refuge

IMG_8127Eagle Cap Wilderness

IMG_0394Tadpoles – Russian Wilderness

IMG_9385Tadpole transforming – Mt. Adams Wilderness

IMG_0479Frog – Russian Wilderness

IMG_4761Frog – Goat Marsh Lake

IMG_5227Tree frog – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_0169Frog – Trinity Alps Wilderness

IMG_0171Toad – Trinity Alps Wilderness

IMG_9667Toad – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness

IMG_0354Fish – Siphon Lake

Rough skinned newtRough skinned newt – Yakona Nature Preserve

Western painted turtleWestern painted turtle – Julia Hansen Butler Wildlife Refuge

Garter snakeBaby snake – Miller Woods

Garter snakeGarter snake – Julia Hansen Butler Wildlife Refuge

LizardLizard – Mule Mountain

LizardLizard – Upper Table Rock

IMG_0585Lizard – Russian Wilderness

IMG_5200Lizard – Siskiyou Wilderness

LizardLizard – Klickitat Trail

LizardLizard – Upper Table Rock

Alligator lizardAlligator lizard – Mule Mountain

ChipmunkChipmunk – Observation Peak

IMG_0470Ground squirrel – Russian Wilderness

Ground squirrelGround squirrel – Klickitat Trail

IMG_7344Ground squirrel – Eagle Cap Wilderness

Ground squirrelGround squirrel – Upper Table Rock

SquirrelSquirrel – Rock Creek Trail

SquirrelSquirrel – Twin Lakes

IMG_3250Squirrel – Larch Mountain Trail

IMG_7945Marmot – Wallowa Homeland

Jack rabbitJack rabbit – Denman Wildlife Area

IMG_8674Rabbit – E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area

IMG_8461Pika – Silver Star Mountain

MuskratMuskrat – Julia Butler Hansen – Wildlife Refuge

Otter at Killin WetlandsOtter – Killin Wetlands

IMG_2902Sea lion – Hart’s Cove

DeerDeer – Memaloose Hills

DoeDoe – Miller Woods

DoeMamma – Roxy Ann Peak

FawnFawn – Roxy Ann Peak

Columbain white-tailed buckColumbian white-tailed buck – Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge

Doe and fawn in Donomore MeadowsDoe & fawn – Donomore Meadows

IMG_5571Three bucks – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_6285Buck – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_0197Buck – Trinity Alps Wilderness

IMG_0384Doe & fawn – Russian Wilderness

IMG_0496Buck and does – Russian Wilderness

IMG_1923Two bucks – Crater Lake National Park

Elk on Road 200Elk – Yakona Nature Preserve

Bull elk at Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for Columbian White-tailed DeerBull elk – Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge

Mountain goat below the Mt. Ireland LookoutMountain goat below the Mt. Ireland Lookout – Mt. Ireland

Goat on the other side of Highway 4Domestic goat – Near the Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge

IMG_6302Black bear – Siskiyou Wilderness

IMG_5594The same black bear making eye contact the day before.