Gales Creek Trail: Gales Creek CG - Summit TH

We went to the  Storey Burns Trail: from Gales Creek CG to Storey Burns TH on June 23rd . We hiked up Gales Creek Trail from Gales Creek Camp ground to Summit TH (which is at the summit of the pass) and if time permited, we wanted to go past it towards Storey Burns trailhead (although we were not  able to reach it in the time we had). This was a moderate hike with a gradual climb along Low Divide Creek. Here is a map of the trail:

http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/TSF/docs/StoreyBurnTrail.pdf

Weather:
Partly cloudy in the evening...then mostly cloudy. High: 70F, Low: 50F.

Difficulty/Distance:
Moderate / ~6 miles

Directions:
At mile marker 35, turn right at the Gales Creek Campground.sign
Go 1 mile on the well maintained gravel road to the day use parking lot/Hiker sign

Coordinates:
45.549174, -122.901008

My Experience:
This was supposed to be the first hike when the dry sesaon started. But I realised that I like hikes better when it rains so that the vegeatation smells and looks awesome.  However, I was there to hike and this is whole new experience.

We were supposed to do a 6 mile hike, but due to the gradual climb, we were tired by the time it was just 2miles one-way. We decided to make it a 4 mile loop then.  The hike was not so very interesting. No wild flowers or great views. It was just a quiet stroll through the forest. Here is where we rested and had a snack.

I did not have any interest to take pictures cos there was not any subjects :( So we took finally a group picture at the end of the hike.

 This was my first hike with the hiking poles. Loved them. Experience is so very different and comfortable.
The only interesting part of the hike was Laura the lady in blue in this photo. She talked all through the return hike, non-stop ! My god I was just awed looking at her choice of topics. They were all wide ranged. Loved to listen to her though :) Some entertainment u see :P

Yay summer is finally here ! Weather forecast was wrong. No showers and it was perfeclty sunny. We could see the almost full moon. I captured these shots while I was on my way back to home.

I just loved this picture. I like the way the view originates from the right and it ends in the picture. Moon in the background was just perfect icing on the cake ! Overall a less interesting hike, but I was all excited cos the summer season started.

Wilson River Trail: Koenig Creek TH - Eastward (toward Footbridge TH)

This week’s hike completed out trek of the Wilson River Trail. We hiked from Koenig Creek TH eastward (toward Footbridge TH). This was an intermediate hike although the trail was a little overgrown – especially at the start of the hike. This hike crossed several tributaries feeding into Ryan Creek. The hike was around 6 miles RT. 
Here is a Map of this trail:

http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/TSF/docs/WilsonRiverWestTrail.pdf

Where:
Wilson River Trail: Koenig Creek TH - Eastward (toward Footbridge TH)

Difficulty/Distance:
Intermediate / ~5-6 miles

Directions:
Rt 26 West to Rt 6 towards Tillamook just past milepost 18
Right on Cedar Butte Road and go over the bridge
First left immediately after the bridge on Muesial Creek Road
Arrive at the TH in 0.2 miles

Coordinates:
 45.54343, -123.61256

Weather: Cloudy with a small possibility of a shower or two. High 59F Low 47. Winds SW 5-10mph.

Pictures: Here is the link to pictures.

My Experience:
This time it was raining as soon as we got there. I was kinda disappointed with the weather. But I was ready with a rain coat:)  The trail was not at like a trail. It was very overgrown. And till we reached the Cedar Butte road it was very steep for almost 1.5 miles.

 

This is the place where we stopped finally after a strenous hike. The last 1mile-1.5 miles were easy to do with almost plateau region. This is where we took a group picture.

 

We were just 6 of us on this  path and the other 2 just took another road. And here is the girls pic :)

And on the way back, it was very easy and then when we reached back the road, we saw a beautiful view.

And the way back, me and Tripti tried to take some pictures :) and we lagged behind. We had to run after taking each picture. And these are those precious pictures !

I just loved the purple pictures.  Loved that part of the trail which was totally covered with those flowers.

The funniest part of the trail was Tripti said "we were like soldiers walking very very fast without even taking time to admire the views" so we did and ran back :D
I loved my shoes this time cos ... they were totally waterproof and single water drop did not get into the shoe, whereas others got totally wet !