Pittock Sanctuary at Audubon Society of Portland

On June 30th, we went to this hike in a wildlife sanctuary with about 4.5 miles of forested trails with Old Growth Douglas Firs and a nice pond to stop and enjoy a snack. We tried to cover as much of the trail as possible. Here is a map of the trail:
http://www.audubonportland.org/sanctuaries/visiting/trailmap/trailmap

Weather:
Tomorrow: Mostly Sunny. High 72, Low 54F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph (awesome day to come out in shorts)
Where:
Pittock Bird Sanctuary at Audubon Society of Portland
5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97210

Difficulty/Distance:
Moderate / ~4.5 miles
Directions:
5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97210
It is about 10 miles from most Intel campuses; parking is available on the north and South sides of Cornell Road.

Coordinates:
45.528362, -122.732386

My Experience:
This forest has a speciality, this was in the middle of the busy city. It was called Forest in the city.This was supposed to be a kid-friendly hike since it was holiday season for the kids. Naveed got his kid to the hike.

We dint see much wild-life like I expected. Though we were able to see few birds and some empty bird houses. I was delighted to see the cute bird houses :)

There was this 300 odd year old tree. My god it was so huge and so tall ! Never such a big one !  We took a break here.

Then we stopped at the pond for a snack.

Then there was a small creek. Creek was not very scenic, but there was this wierd shaped tree which was so beautiful. Totally loved capturing it.

I was so happy to see a small bracnch with beautiful white flowers dangling. Though I felt I did not get the perfect shot, I got something :)

Along the stroll we also found nice hut shaped sitouts at several points to enjoy picnics.

After we covered walking through the sanctuary, we started our trail at this trail. This was a unique signboard covered with moss :)

The hike was overall very good, though short this time :) I drove this time so it was flexible!

Saddle Mountain

Next week we are planning on going to Saddle Mountain. This is an Intermediate to expert hike but as one of the hikers put it a few years ago, this hike provides the best exertion-to-view ratio. It starts off fairly easy and then get more difficult as you climb towards the top. The views of the ocean and the all the area peaks at the top are absolutely breathtaking. The occasional wild life sightings are a bonus. It takes longer to get there so we will have to leave earlier (5:00pm). Please Note: Turn around time for this hike will be 7:40pm. Please plan on turning around by 7:40pm whether you are at the top or not.
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_197.php



Where:

Saddle Mountain



Difficulty/Distance:

Moderate-Difficult / 5 miles



Directions:

Map

Rt 26 West for about 40 miles

Turn right (North) at the Saddle Mountain State Park road sign

Go 7 miles on Saddle Mountain road to the trail head

Coordinates: 45.96269, -123.69015, (515m)

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 !

Wilson River Trail: Jones Creek CG - Eastwards (toward North Fork Bridge)

In this fourth week on the Wilson River Trail, we continued westwards. We hiked from Jones Creek CG - Eastwards (toward North Fork Bridge). This was an intermediate hike on a well maintained and very beautiful trail. This hike crosses Wilson River on the North Fork Bridge.
Here is a Map of this trail:

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

Where:
Wilson River Trail: Jones Creek CG - Eastwards (toward North Fork Bridge)

Difficulty/Distance:
Intermediate / ~4-7 miles

Directions:
Rt 26 West to Rt 6 towards Tillamook
At mile marker 23, turn right at the Jones Creek Campground sign. Park in the day use lot

Coordinates:
45.58718, -123.55313

Weather:
It turned out to be a really beautiful day for this hike. We had clear skies and a warm (but not hot) day.

Pictures:
Here is the link to the pictures.

My Experience:
It was wierd in the beginning cos it was just the hike organizers and me from JF campus ...but soon after we reached there we saw a huge turnout. This time I was very hungry right at the beginning of the hike and I completed my snack bar.

The trail was beautiful with all the wild flowers in full bllom.

I liked the greenery and the tiny white flowers which were present all through the hike. 

There was tiny waterfalls (may be Wilson Falls) and the water here was gushing!  

This is where we reached after a 2mile hike. There was this mossy path which led to this place and I slipped and hurt myself badly. We played here for sometime before turning back. I could not do more than 2 mile 1 way! I was very tired.  

This one is for posing :)  My gloves ...I was cold after I slipped on that path :( 

 

And this is the suspension bridge right above that place that we played at. We wondered if it was really made all out of wood :P

 

And here I was testing my photography skills ! This is almost to the end of the hike. The sunset lighting was perfect for taking these pictures.

On the drive back, I slept for most of the time ! And I missed a deer which crossed our car. A real beautiful hike overall!! 

Wilson River Trail: King Mt TH - Westwards (toward North Fork Bridge)

In this third week on the Wilson River Trail, we covered some more ground than the last couple of weeks. We hiked from King Mt TH westwards (toward North Fork Bridge). This is an intermediate hike on a well maintained and very beautiful trail. This hike crosses several tributaries of Lester Creek. Here is a Map of this trail:

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

Where:
Wilson River Trail: King Mt TH - Westwards (toward North Fork Bridge)

Difficulty/Distance:
Intermediate / ~5-7 miles

Directions:
Rt 26 West to Rt 6 towards Tillamook
The trail is on the north side of Rt 6 near milepost 25 at the Hiker sign
Coordinates: 45.59709, -123.50626

Weather:
A few clouds from time to time. High 53, Low 41F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.  It was perfect weather  for a hike.

Co-ordinates:
Coordinates: Start: 45.59709, -123.50626 (180m)

Pictures:
My Pictures
David's Pictures

My Experience:
This week's hike was the most difficult one till now. The weather was very dissappointing in the afternoon when I saw a hail storm. By the time we started for the hike, it was a beautiful sunny evening. It has already become a norm that we desis formed a small group withing ourselves already :)

After we started, we were hoping the trail would end sloping at atleast some point. It did not. All throughout the hike, we were gaining more and more elavation with very little plateau regions.
I was so tired, I could not even chew my snack bar :) So I could not even take pictures along the way.

There were many wild flowers on the way, which added color to the totally green trail :)

 

The trail was not so not so green like it was last week but it looked very beautiful with few small creeks along the way.

The final view where we saw the Wilson River Valley was worth the difficult hike.

Here is where we took our group picture.

Poor guys, Sourav and Jayaram they had to wait for us till we were done taking pictures cos they drove us :)

While coming back the tints of the sky with the hues of green, were such a delight to the eye.

I was able to capture few very good snaps on the way back. I think I am starting to get better at looking at things from that angle ;) Here are few of them.

Beautiful weather, good trail and a nice workout :)

On our way back while we driving, we saw a car turned out and the car was on smokes. There was an accident and we tried stopping and helping but later drove ahead till we got a telephone signal to inform 911. Luckily everybody was safe and the ambulance reached pretty soon.

Wilson River Trail: King Mt TH - Dog Creek

Continuing our trek from one end of the Wilson River Trail to the other, we started this weeks hike from Kings Mtn TH and work backwards to Dog Creek. This is a beginner to intermediate hike on a well maintained and very beautiful trail. The hike leads to the beautiful Dog Creek and the log bridge across the creek. Here is a Map of this trail:

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

Where:
Wilson River Trail: Kings Mtn TH - Dog Creek

Difficulty/Distance:
Beginner to intermediate / ~3-4 miles

Directions:
Rt 26 West to Rt 6 towards Tillamook

Co-ordinates:
The trail is on the north side of Rt 6 near milepost 25 at the Hiker sign
Coordinates: 45.59709, -123.50626

Weather:
Cloudy with occasional rain showers. High 51F, Low 43F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph (be prepared for some showers – bring a rain jacket and dress in layers)

Pictures:
Link to the blog
David's Pictures
My Pictures

My Experience:

This time the weather changed drastically in the 30-40 min it took to drive down to the trailhead. It was cold and gloomy when we started, it then turned sunny and then almost when we reached the Tilamook National Forest, it started raninig :(. Since all these hikes were RAIN or SHINE, we jsut continued the hike.  Everything around us looked very green and very fresh. Even though it was raining, the greenery made it look very beautiful.

We reached the end of the trail in no time. It was very short this time, not many slopes too along the way. The Dog creek was gushing with water due to the rain. It was just awesome :) This is where I started experimenting the manual setting in my point and shoot camera. And I dont know if it was the place or the camera, I just loved clicking pictures.

Since I learnt it the hard way last time, I came prepared with a snack bar and a camera :) Though this time I missed a rain caot so much !

We headed back very soon and it was a real mess getting into the car because the trial turned out to be very muddy and our shoes all got spoilt. But we managed. Overall loved this hike, though it was not much of a workout :)