Cool!
You live in a phenomenal state. I did several back-packing, slot canyon trips there when we lived in CO.
Get Your Hike On! - Picture Thread
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Cool!
You live in a phenomenal state. I did several back-packing, slot canyon trips there when we lived in CO.
SWMBO rock-scrambling, Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk (highest elevation, overlooking northern plains towards Bacchus Marsh)
Nice
On the bike yesterday and spotted some wildlife! The deer along the trails are so used to people it didn't even move. I got off my bike walked a little closer and it just ignored me and kept eating.
That's pretty cool.
I know I see a lot more deer than the hunters in my area. I swear they know who's toting a gun and who's got a camera
I know I see a lot more deer than the hunters in my area. I swear they know who's toting a gun and who's got a camera
They certainly discriminate movement patterns (farming vs. hunting) and seasons.
Off to Mt. Jefferson tomorrow. Pics to follow.
Your deer and our Roos are masters of camo - really had to look for that bugger! (In my defence I'm on the iPhone and my eyes are pretty well shot too...)
Incredible hike in the clouds today. Too pooped to post pics. Will get them off the SD card tommorow.
a morning hunter
I didn't see it at first either, the chick I was with holler'd out "deer!" I was like "where" there! "oh!"
Yesterday I planned on doing a really big hike, but life gets in the way so I scaled it back to a more manageable 11 miles of big mountain hiking. The weather forecast for the White Mtns. is always tricky. The Presidential ridge sits just under the jest stream, with Mt. Washington poking up in to it. Yesterday called for early clearing and a rare bluebird day. So here's the 06:00 view of Mt. Jefferson. Above treeline hiking in the fog isn't my favorite past time. Sometimes you have to play the hand you're dealt.
Ugh.
My route had my usual MO of circling a big ravine. At 4000 ft I was in the clouds with about 50 yds of visibility. Here's the dramatic view of Castle Ravine.
The trail I was on was Castle trail. It's named such because there are two large granite spines that you have to scramble over on a very exposed ridge. I was alone, in the fog, and the rock was quite damp and greasy. I gave serious consideration to turning back. Thankfully I didn't. Here's the first and harder "Castle" that I had to deal with. I'll give it some perspective in a later picture.
After clearing the most demanding part of the hike I refused to be denied summiting. The AMC and the RMC do an incredible job of blazing the open summits with cairns. Without them it would be like navigating the surface of the moon. Right around this picture I slipped in to a crack and almost snapped my tibia. Not the place to get injured.
As I neared the summit cone hope of some views was restored.
Ugh.
My route had my usual MO of circling a big ravine. At 4000 ft I was in the clouds with about 50 yds of visibility. Here's the dramatic view of Castle Ravine.
The trail I was on was Castle trail. It's named such because there are two large granite spines that you have to scramble over on a very exposed ridge. I was alone, in the fog, and the rock was quite damp and greasy. I gave serious consideration to turning back. Thankfully I didn't. Here's the first and harder "Castle" that I had to deal with. I'll give it some perspective in a later picture.
After clearing the most demanding part of the hike I refused to be denied summiting. The AMC and the RMC do an incredible job of blazing the open summits with cairns. Without them it would be like navigating the surface of the moon. Right around this picture I slipped in to a crack and almost snapped my tibia. Not the place to get injured.
As I neared the summit cone hope of some views was restored.
Finally summiting, I was treated to an incredible sea of clouds. They were alive and moving all around, flowing up the ravine walls on thermals.
Moon over the summit cone
Nearby Mt. Adams being overtaken by clouds.
After about 30 minutes it was time to start down. Heading towards the east side of Castle Ravine I would be back in the cloud deck again.
Of course, as I descended the clouds finally dissipated. I took a side trail to finally get a shot of the ravine. Here's the ridge I ascended.
Moon over the summit cone
Nearby Mt. Adams being overtaken by clouds.
After about 30 minutes it was time to start down. Heading towards the east side of Castle Ravine I would be back in the cloud deck again.
Of course, as I descended the clouds finally dissipated. I took a side trail to finally get a shot of the ravine. Here's the ridge I ascended.
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Here are the Castles that I had to deal with in the whiteout.
The hike down was thankfully uneventful. I dread descending those peaks as the rock hopping just beats your legs to hamburger. Both my calves are so tight today. Back below treeline it was quite serene and beautiful. That's my favorite part of solo hiking. Just me in "my" sanctuary.
One of the river crossing on the Israel Ridge trail
Towards the valley and my cold soda.
I don't know the proper name of these fungi, but I remember seeing them on hikes when I was very young. I think we called them pipe stem mushrooms back in the day.
Somehow I survived despite my less than perfect physical condition.
The hike down was thankfully uneventful. I dread descending those peaks as the rock hopping just beats your legs to hamburger. Both my calves are so tight today. Back below treeline it was quite serene and beautiful. That's my favorite part of solo hiking. Just me in "my" sanctuary.
One of the river crossing on the Israel Ridge trail
Towards the valley and my cold soda.
I don't know the proper name of these fungi, but I remember seeing them on hikes when I was very young. I think we called them pipe stem mushrooms back in the day.
Somehow I survived despite my less than perfect physical condition.
Finally, the view I didn't have from the trailhead. I ascended the right side of the ridge and descended the left.
I love the sign! The other pics are great too, but that one is a classic.
It's funny how they underline and make ONLY stand out
ugg I have all my flat land and swamps down here.
Great photos
Great photos
I'm gasping just looking at these pictures. I used to live in Albuquerque at about 5,500 ft and then struggle to hike to the top of Sandia Mountain near ABQ, which was at 10,000 ft. But 13,000 ft?
yep, love that sign...
I love the sign! The other pics are great too, but that one is a classic.
It's funny how they underline and make ONLY stand out
I call it the Vinny sign. I'm relatively sure it's intended for the completely unprepared, of which there are many. I see folks up there in t-shirts and cutoffs. No water, food, rain gear, compass, map. It's amazing. Most folks don't know that there is a guidebook that explains the perils of certain trails. Lots never check the weather.
Lots of Vinnies running loose in those parts. Some 30 something year old died last week of heat stroke on a smaller peak. Probably completely avoidable.
Sadly I'm off the trail for a few weeks. The next hike should be a big one. Not sure what yet, but definitely in the 15+ mile, 5-6k of vertical. Still trying to see if I can handle a full Presidential traverse this year. The window is starting to close. Need to fish or cut bait by the end of August.
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