What to do with your Valentine?

Dog Mountain, WA. Happy Valentines Day

We made the short trip across the Bridge of the Gods. $1 to cross. This in Cascade Locks(the Oregon side) We were following the map and directions while paying attention to the landscape. after about 15 or 20 miles on highway 14 on the Washington side of the Columbia river we got our first glimpse of Dog Mountain. It was not that impressive. There was new snow on the trees, but it was really not that massive.

But wait . . ., that was not Dog Mountain; we came around a curve in the road and saw snow on the mountain all the way up into the clouds. This was going to be a fun day.
6.9 mile loop and about 2900 feet up and down. The book said very nice views, meadows and wild flowers. We saw nothing of that. As we left the trail and climbed up the Augsperger Mountain trail we quickly walked into a cloud. We kept telling ourselves, "If we run into snow we can always turn back." We didn't and it was worth it.

About thirty minutes into the walk, we started seeing water falling. We thought it's just snow melt in the tree tops. Another 15 minutes it was snowing on us. We broke out the rain jackets we would not need but packed anyway. This was about the point the visibility went to about 1/8 mile or so, we marched on.

After another 30 minutes or so, we were committed to going all the way. Ankle deep in snow and still climbing up. We looked at the map, it was pretty useless. We knew we were on the north side of the mountain, just not where exactly on the trail.

The snowfall was not enough to cover the trail completely so we were in no danger of getting lost. We stopped for lunch at the intersection of the Dog Mountain Trail. The visability was about four trees, about 20 feet. Lots of snow falling. What a great day!

At one point on the ridge of the north side I had thoughts of Donners Pass. This was a small universe we were walking through. We passed one couple, they were on their way down as we were still going up. The drifts here were about 2-3 feet deep, and across the trail.

Finally we see some humans in the distance; those little spots look like a picture of mountain climbers, from our perspective.

I bet the views from the view point and summit are great. I hope to see them sometime. Today we can see about 50 feet into nothing from the top.

The going down was a thrill. Much sliding and shoe skiing. I'm happy with the trekking poles. I would not go anywhere without them. The poles saved me from a fall several times. Back into the slush, we took the short steep way back to the trail head, down and fast.

We made it out in about 4 hours. After the late start(sleeping in) it was a full day, and great fun.
I recommend Dog Mountain.

We are going back in the Spring to see the flowers and views.

Crescent Beach, new pictures

Of course the plan was to get up early and hike Saddle Mountain, then meet friends and hike to Crescent Beach for an afternoon picnic.

The real deal is we got up not moving very fast, this is Saturday. We shuffled around the house until almost noon. Packed and got on the road.

We met friends C and C in and around Banks, Oregon. The drive to the beach was nice. The sun broke out and it looked like a nice afternoon.

We got to Cannon Beach and turned up the road to the trail head. Our friends had never been there, one was far along in her pregnancy and worried about the hike. We were amazed at the installation of electric parking pass machine installed. This was new. I was telling a story of a time we returned to the parking lot here at dusk one day to see a herd of elk, when one friend said "Like those elk?' Yes, there was a herd of elk grazing near the parking lot. That was neat.
The hike in was great, the recent ice storm toppled a few trees. One or two were as big around as I am tall.

The beach was amazing.

I have never been here after such a high tide. The water cleans everything away. It was all brand new.

We saw about five people on Crescent Beach, the tide out so we walked down and peeked at Cannon Beach and saw about 150 thousand people. It's great knowing we can walk about a mile and a half and visit a secluded nature spot.

The recent higher tide wiped out most of the remembered tidal pools. That was sad, but I know they will be back.

The hike out was a great sunset, one picture does not do it justice. Looking back at the beach from the hill was unreal. Those are three people and their reflections. The picture does not show the reflection to the sun setting sky, it was inspiring.

We got back to the car and shared the space with the herd of elk. Again, amazing . . .