Timberline Lodge, Mt, Hood

Three beautiful days of hiking has brought us to the stunning and historic Timberline Lodge on Mt Hood.  We started by hiking up the Eagle Creek Trail which joins the PCT 14 miles south and is an incredible detoure.  The valley is lined with basalt pillars and the steep sides produce endless waterfalls all around. There is even a part where the trail goes BEHIND a waterfall that is easily 200 feet.  Stunning.  We spent the night by a small lake and fell asleep to the sound of osprey diving for their dinner.  Even at 4000 we encountered the odd snow patch still holding on to the north side of the ridge.  In high rockfields we would hear pika warning calls but never got to see the cute little critters, i suspect they smell Roxi and are extra cautious about showing themselves.  On the north side of Mt Hood we spent the night near Ramona Falls, a gorgeous cascading waterfall that is a very popular hiking destination. 

Then the long climb up a buttress to Mt Hood itself.  Glacial morrains and giant glacial carved valleys with silty rivers cascading over boulders.  The boulders tumble down stream with the gushing glacial meltwater, across the valley rocks slide starting a small avalanche of boulders and silty sand, and up above us we hear the deep gutteral rumble of the mountain breathing, likely a rockslide, avalache, or a glacier creeping down the mountain.  The snowcover starts at 5000 feet and is entirely covering the ground at 5500 feet.  Up on the partially exposed mountianside a rogue thunderstorm rolls by tossing bits of hail on us.  We came across many day hikers that had hopes of strolling around to some popular day-hike spots, wearing sandals and looking hopefull that perhaps the snow might magically dissapear around the corner.  I reiforced that the snow is very much still present and to "have a great hike!".  Then comes my favorite part, roxi and I had to wait on the trail while snowboarders go whizzing by before be can safely cross the ski slope just above Tiberline Lodge. 

I have met another southbounder named "Crazy Cloud" and 3 northbounders, the first of the season.  Being in their presence is calming and wonderful.  Thru-hikers are another breed of human and many say you need to do it to understand.  These guys are the superheros of the thru-hiker world, they do 40 miles a day and still find time to enjoy a couple brews at the pub.  I think Lance Armstrong should give this a try and see how he measures up!  The main group of northbounders is still a long way off but it is really fun to be able to cross paths with the real legends, average Joe's in the real world but completely at home and thriving on this crazy trail. It is interesting to note that no-one has heard of a single southbounder that is managing to complete a true southbound thru-hike.  Because of the weather and formidable conditions, everyone has bailed or come up with other plans to continue on further south.  Meeting nourthbounders is also a prime resource for trail conditions ahead.  They report major snow still on the ground for significant stretches in the Oregon Highlands.... maybe we'll get lucky and it will melt before we get there =-)

Peace and Love,

Beads& Roxtar