Indian Point

Spring is finally here in full force! What a spectacular day. 






No group hike this weekend due to the holiday, but I hit the trail solo anyway. Had missed the Indian Point hike a few weeks back when I was working and wanted to check out the trail. So glad I did!

Indian Point

Started out in the Gorge just past Cascade Locks on the Herman Creek trail. After a few miles there was a small side trail that led out to Indian Point itself. 

The last little bit took me on a narrow rocky trail with steep drop-offs on each side and impeccable views. 
I had sent the a link with the following quote about the trail to my Mom before I left to tell her about the trail. However I hadn't really read what it said: 

Ridge to get to Indian Point

"If you're adventurous (or foolish?), take the short side trip to Indian Point . . . beware that this trail gets dangerous as it goes along with a narrow trail, steep drop-offs on both sides, no railings, and no warning signs. If you fell it would almost certainly be fatal."  


Didn't seem too scary in real life, but might have thought twice about trekking out there if I had read it first. Sorry Mom! Didn't mean to scare you! 

Headed back down via the Nick Eaton trail which had beautiful views of the gorge. 

Already many wildflowers have cropped up on the side of the hill, and I bet it's going to be absolutely covered in the next month or two. Seriously considering a return trip for that reason. 









The group hikes have been so fun recently, but I have missed hiking alone. It's great to stop for a photo or water break without holding the group up. And walking in the woods in silence calms the soul.





Tally 
Mt Rainier                          17 mi      9,000 ft elevation gain
Training Hikes So Far        46 mi     15,400 ft elevation gain

Climbers Clinic

rainy day out in the snow

Yesterday the group headed up to Timberline on Mt Hood for some good training on climbing techniques, and play with ice axes and crampons. We were blessed with cold rainy weather for testing gear in those conditions as well (yea for us!)

crampons

It was great to have experienced climbers there showing us various ways to climb up and down snowy slopes without falling off the mountain or poking an eye out with an ice axe. We were able to practice some of the techniques as well and I had fun plunge stepping down and duck stepping up the hill. (Even though at one point I plunge stepped right up to my waist, not so easy to get up again!)

on the practice hill (I'm 3rd from the left)

Tally (same as last week since this wasn't a traditional trail hike)
Mt Rainier
                 17 mi      9,000 ft elevation gain
Training Hikes So Far        
                 37 mi     12,600 ft elevation gain


Fundraising update: Have raised 29% of my total, thanks to you all! I have been so blessed by your generosity. This past week I even received a donation from someone I have never met, amazing. If you want to track my progress or make a donation click here.

Tilly Jane

Snowshoeing again today!
We hoofed it up the trail at Tilly Jane.






Great area. Much of the trail climbs through the remnants of the 2008 Gnarl Ridge fire and many charred trees surrounded us.





Although clouds blocked views of Mt Hood there was still much beauty around to behold.

On the way up I was mostly focused on keeping up. We churned out our first 1,000 feet of elevation gain in 45 minutes. (If you're not familiar with elevation gain tracking; a pretty fast pace is 1,000 feet gain in 1 hour. On the Mt Rainier climb we will probably be doing 1,000 feet gain in 1.5 to 2 hours. In other words, we wore moving!)







After a couple of hours we stopped for a much needed lunch break near the Tilly Jane A-Frame that can be reserved for overnight stays.













Then we trekked a bit further upward, just about to the tree line, before heading back down to the car.

Tally: 
Mt Rainier      
                 17 mi      9,000 ft elevation gain
Training Hikes So Far        
                 37 mi     12,600 ft elevation gain

Dog Mountain

Absolutely love the Columbia Gorge! Could spend a lifetime exploring the area and never tire of it. Today I finally hiked Dog Mountain, which has been on the list for a while. Fantastic trail and, in spite of clouds, beautiful views.

How can you not love this!

Started out with sunshine at the trailhead, and the weather stayed fairly mild throughout the morning. On one part of the trail windblown trees were spitting nice-sized chunks of ice down on us (see left).






Soon afterwards the wind really picked up as we entered into a winter wonderland. I was glad for each and every layer of clothing in my pack!




Fortunately the summit was well protected by trees and the wind wasn't too brutal when we stopped for lunch.






Some wind on the descent as well, but back to sunshine and being nice and toasty by the time we reached the cars.

Tally: Finally made the summit :)
Rainier                            17 mi              9,000 ft elevation gain
Training Hikes so far      30.5 mi          10,500 ft elevation gain





Fundraising: A GIANT THANK-YOU to everyone who donated this past week, made up a lot of ground and am almost a third of the way done! Click HERE to check out my progress or make a donation.