2015.6.27-28. Black Crater, Scott - Obsidian Loop in Three Sisters Wilderness

Consistently hot weather for a few weeks now. This weekend was expected to reach 100F. I almost canceled my hike. But it turned out to be overcast, and bearable heat, even though I got some heat rash.

2015/6/27, Saturday, Portland 92F, Sisters 100F. Black Crater. 7.5 mile RT, 2500' gain. 4 of us departed from Shannon's house in N. Portland at 7am. Set up my tent and scattered a few things at Scott Lake (4800') to secured a spot by the lake. Started hiking shortly ~11am. It was already too warm for me, maybe in lower 80s. The trail is unimpressive, and very dusty. Thankfully, in the woods mostly. At about 1 hour, you start to see Jefferson, Washington. Then some paintbrush and lupine, nothing interesting. I didn't prepare for the view. As I crested the flat rim, it was a bang! Stark red earth, all the volcano peaks and bumps, Sisters the town. Remnant of a lookout, now home to lots of flies, who don't fly too far from those anchor rocks. Total encountered: less than 10 people.

We were back to TH by 3pm. Decided to hit Sisters for happy hour. Couldn't find a brewery in downtown, ended up walking 1 mile in the 99F sun to Three Creek Brewery. It's the worst walk of this weekend. Food is so-so. Back to our camp ~5pm. I happily sat in the lake for quite a while to cool down. Later, walked (instead of swim) across the lake! It's that shallow. Silty bottom on big rocks. We all went to the north end of the lake to wait for sunset. Nice reflection.

6/28, Sunday, Portland 85F, Sisters 92F. 8am-5pm. I was too late when I got up at 6am for a good sunrise photo. Cloudy. We parked at Obsidian trailhead (limited access, but we have a day hike permit). Walked 0.4 mile to hit Scotts Trail first for the Scott-PCT-Obsidian loop. 19 miles 3500' including 4-in-1 Cone (on Scott Trail) and Collier Cone ridge (on PCT). 1st hour is all in the woods. Quite some Beargrass. Then we hit the lava flow. Can see North and Middle Sisters. Then back in woods (thankfully). At about 2 hours, we reached our first short detour.

Four In One Cone is our first major view point. The landscape around it seems stark, black, but now dotted with lots of little white and red flowers. Less than 0.5 mile up the cone. Great view of the Sisters, Jefferson, and surrounding bumps.

After some lupine fields, at mile 5, we reached PCT. This junction is now a most lovely meadow, in almost full bloom, and large. For at least a mile, there are trees and grass, no sign of volcanic activity. Refilled water at Minnie Spring, where the water comes out of ground.

As we approached Collier Cone (our 2nd short and not-to-be-missed detour), the land is again harsh, with interesting lava rocks. It's right dead in face of the North, Mid Sisters with Little Brother. Our mid-way point. Don decided to walk up the cone. The rest of us had a leisure lunch on the ridge enjoying the view. Mitul, this weekend's host, showed us photos taken last year in mid July, when they had to tread snow to get here. The little tarn is of a shiny blue. Now it's brown and at least 3 times as big. No sign of snow anywhere except on the Sisters.

Coming down Collier Cone, we pass a steep lava gully with a funny looking tree. Then, the west side is the lava flow (red black rocks) and east side, blue slopes covered with dense lupine.

At the next junction, we followed PCT for another mile to see Obsidian Falls. Itself is unimpressive, but this mile of PCT is very pretty. Multiple ponds and meadows. Broken obsidian rocks big and small. We met the #4 PCT through-hiker of this year. He's wearing sandles!

At the next junction, we turned west on Obsidian Trail all the way back to our car. This trail is less interesting than Scott Trail. For some reason, this trail and part of PCT requires special permission, and different permits for overnight and day hike.

On the drive back, we took I-5, and had dinner at Pizza Research Institude in Eugene. Not as hot as Sisters yesterday. I chose 2 slices, one each of #1 (pear +pesto + potato) and #3 (chevre + eggplant + onion). The slices are quite big. I had trouble finishing both. I really liked #1. #3 is too sweet for me. I also had a blueberry Hefeweizen from a brewer "down the road" (written on the menu). We arrived at Shannon's house in north Portland at 10pm.

2015.6.24. OMSI after dark

2015/6/24. Wednesday. Hot. I got 2 tickets from work to this sold-out cider event at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. OMSI hosts one "after dark" event each last Wednesday of a month in summer. Not really dark. 7-11pm. I only arrived after 9pm. Got reprimanded by the ticket dispense lady, because I was late. She was kind enough to give me my glass with 8 tokens - each for a (half glass) taste of about 20 different hard ciders presented tonight. I only managed to try 4 (randomly from dry to sweet, to spicy - chilly), as the lines are not short, and some ciders were out by the time I arrived. We were also allowed to have 4 free small samples of other beverage. I tried some very sweet bubbly by Bearfoot. The rest were out when I got there. Without much food, that's enough to make me lightheaded. Should have come earlier, and bring some food. Quite fun, but crowded. I didn't have time to look at most of the exhibition. Went to the only 2 talks: cider tasting 101, and cider history.

Went to hear journalist Fred Pearce speak about invasive species at Powell's before OMSI. Hence the late arrival.

2015.6.20-21. Tatoosh Ridge + Tatoosh Lakes

One of my last year's favorites is Tatoosh Ridge north of Packwood. Upon hearing the blooming flowers (and mosquitoes) in Goat Rocks (just south of Packwood), I decided to check this out on this solstice weekend.

Another warm weekend, in the 80s. Already too warm for me. We started late. The access road was blocked by a blow-down ~half mile before TH. The 3 mile steady upslope tired me out in the heat of the day. Didn't reach the camp until 5pm. Pitched the tent not far from a small slow stream fed by the diminishing snow (will be gone in a week), with a great front seat view of Mt Rainier. On the way, we passed 3 groups of total 7 people heading out. Saw two guys standing on top of the ridge over the camping area, and they were gone before we came back. Blue butterflies congregating on wet soil by a small creek.

After ~1 hour of rest, refilled water, we hiked back out and follow the trail all the way to the ridge. The slope is now filled with white and yellow. Other colors are starting. At 7:45, we hit the ridge. Clear view of the eastern hills, Goat Rocks, Adams, even a hint of Hood. The walk along this flower ridge is euphoric. Ate dinner at the lookout remnant. A patch of glacier lily here. On the way back, the setting sun casts a glow on everything. Temperature dropped to comfortable. We reached our tent after 10pm. No one else in sight. A warm night. Stars are not the best: clouds move in.

Sunday. No sunrise to speak of. Very cloudy. A group of 6 kids who camped at the lakes hiked up and left. They all carried day packs! The trail to the lake is steep and lined with thousands of avalanche lilies. No mosquitoes!

Back to the tent, picked up more water, headed out for scramble. My goal is to reach Boundary Peak and Blue Lake. Quite some scrambling. We could see faint trails sometimes. Didn't succeed. Wandered through some untouched meadows.

On the way out, saw one couple coming in the warm afternoon. Temperature rising. There's less snow now than last year when I was here early August. Flowers are everywhere, especially avalanche lily. Only saw 4 beargrass in bloom. The flower show should last at least 2 more weeks.

Before heading home, we detoured to Paradise in Mt Rainier. Reflection Lake is lovely as ever, even without reflection. Flowers are in good shape. A week or so from full bloom. Saw a deer right by the trail. Strange thing is that no one else saw her(busy chatting with each other), and we saw her twice. Here's a more recognizable photo of Tatoosh Range view from the north.

2015.6.14. Bluegrass Ridge

Sunday. Warm. Cloudless. 10 people + 1 dog hiked Bluegrass Ridge (map) one way hike with car shuttle. Coming in from Elk Meadow TH, ending with a detour to Tamanawas waterfall. Total ~13 miles. Started hiking shortly before 10am, finished ~5:30pm, with a couple of long breaks, 2 creek crossing (not difficult). Very dusty. Almost constant view of Hood, on the ridge, Rainier and Adams are clearly visible, and at some point Jefferson and 3 Sisters. Countless fallen trees with sharp broken branches pointing at you. No blood shed, plenty scratches and bruises. The best thing of this hike is NO other people along the ridge. I'm surprised to see this many flowers in June.

Elk Meadow TH is right next to Meadows ski area: ample parking. Easy gentle slope, tons of beargrass, until Newton Creek. More than 2 places with logs cross, so no difficulty. The slope picks up after Newton Creek, more beargrass. At the next clearly marked 4-way junction (left to Gnarls Ridge and connect to Timberline, straight is Elk Meadow), we turned right, and upwards for Bluegrass Ridge, all the way with beargrass. Once arrived at the ridge, we took the short spur trail ahead to Elk Mountain Vista, and had a good break. View of Jefferson, 3 Sisters, semi-concealed by the trees. I walked down slope for a better photo shot with lupine and mariposa lily.

Back to the 3 way junction, turn north, starting walking in mostly dead trees. Beargrass gave away to lupine, and lots of lupine. Some places penstemon and some yellow flowers. This is ridge walk, unmaintained, but still easy going. Mt Hood can always been seen to the left, dark green valley to the right. Not much shade. Lunch. Soon, the ridge goes downhill. More downfalls, and more, until our pace slowed down to crawl. At one spot, saw hundreds of Columbine, with no sign of water. Odd. As we came down the slope, finally found the faint trail again. Still fallen logs, but not as bad. Eventually, we saw evidence of trail work: freshly cut log. THANK YOU, volunteers!

After crossing Coldwater Creek (only Robert and I were able to walk the single log across), we finally hit Elk Meadow Trail again. Turn right (north) to Pollalie TH. We took a short in(up)-and-out to see the Tamanawas Falls. Lovely. Wide and tall. You can walk behind it too! Feels refreshing on this warm (hot) day. Reached the 2 shuttle cars, happy with the ice cold beer Juergen brought in his cooler. 10 of us and the dog piled in 2 SUVs and drove to the beginning of the hike for the 3rd car.

The group decided to stop at Zigzag's El Burro Loco for Mexican food. I had wild boar taco - too dry. Outdoor seating, not crowded, fresh guacamole. I didn't get home until 10pm.

2015.6.11. Microsoft IT Camp on Azure

Looks like Microsoft is trying very hard to promote their version of cloud services. Microsoft is hosting these one day (9am-4pm) classes all over the country. Upon the second time receiving an unsolicited email regarding this event, I signed up, installed Azure Powershell on my PC, and registered a free 30-day trial of Azure by giving away my credit card #.

I arrived shortly after 9am. Breakfast was laid out (cut fruits, croissant and scones nicely cut in half, bagel unfortunately is in whole). Coffee, tea and orange juice. Lunch has salad, grilled veggie, chicken, and stuffed bell pepper. Desert was kept till end of class. Coffee tea throughout the day.

About 20 students, from all around the area. Half in DevOp. We had to introduce ourselves. Azure has 19 regional data centers in all continents except Antarctica and Africa. It promotes Microsoft OS and its own storage. It charges on storage (comparable to AWS, according to today's teacher), and CPU time, and data egres. There are also giveaways. I (among 7) received a coupon code worth $100 at Microsoft online store, expires on 6/19 (just a week). Not sure what to buy.

2015.6.7. Hamilton Mt.

6/7 Sunday. 92°F today. We hiked from 8:30am for ~4 hours, before the heat became unbearable. Total 9 people, ~7.5 miles, 2100'.

Hamilton Mt Loop in Beacon Rock State Park (map. First series of viewpoints are falls on Hardy Creek (two short side trails). I like "Pool of Wind" - a plunge pool of the upper falls. The temperature by the pool is at least 5° cooler. Cross the bridge, many switchbacks later, you emerge from the forest onto a ridge, and more ridges overlooking Columbia River. Not much shade here. Plenty of cliff hanging flowers. As you gain elevation, you start to see Hood. The summit is anti-climatic: views are obstructed by thimbleberry bushes - just as high as my eyes. You can see Adams from here. We marched a bit further along and sat in the shade (no view), by the narrow trail.

Continuing forward ~10-15 minutes after the summit gets to the so-called "the Saddle" viewpoint. This is a much better place for lunch and lingering. Open, great views on both sides, a gentle ridge full of flowers. Then, all in the woods again. We took Hardy Creek trail to loop back. It's more like a road. Don's Cutoff trail should be equally long. Then back to the initial trail with the waterfalls, a good place to stop and wash your sweat.

Arranged a pickup of my forgotten phone in the afternoon. Very hot.

2015.6.6. Summit to Sea

6/6. Saturday, 88F in Portland, 64F at the beach. Fog -> sun. Jim, today's event host titled today's outing as Summit (lunch at Mt Hebo) to Sea (dinner at Cape Kiwanda). 12 met at Hillsboro P&R (took me a good 10 minutes to find them), and 2 waited for us at Hebo Lake, south of Tillamook. Today, it's very busy: a free fishing weekend. Lots of kids. The day use parking was completely full. One camper family kindly let us park 2 cars on their site.

We took Pioneer Indian Trail (#1300). Gradual and smooth trail. Mossy trees and miner's lettuce first, the dryer salah bushes, until a grassy plateau, with many purple irises. Here, we walked back on road and followed a spur to the summit: a rocky flat plateau full of penstemons and radio towers. You can see the coast, now in thick clouds. Also saw St Helens, Adams, and Hood. Total today is ~10 miles, 1500'. A slower group, but a nice bunch none the less.

We arrived at Cape Kiwanda's Pelican Pub and Brewery at 5pm. Wait time was only 20 minutes. So we were told to call back and off we went. This time I walked up the dunes and to the other side: took longer than I thought. 62F and windy. Need a jacket here. At 6:30pm, we reconvene at a table by the window (yes, indoor) for food and beer. Here, all food item come with beer recommendation. Some of us are quite chatty. Left the restaurant ~8pm, and back to Hillsboro P&R at 10pm. Temperature then was 75F! I put my headlamp on, and biked home. Quite pleasant, the bike ride, actually.

Forgot a phone in the car.