Mt Jefferson and Mt Washington Wilderness

As we approached Mt Jefferson the clouds rolled in and the mozzies started to swarm.  The most imposing obstacle in front of us was a 7000' snow covered pass that drops us into a steep bowl, not the place to be on a cloudy day.  We rolled into Olallie Lake Resort and waited for our bid at the pass.  The first morning we woke up to rain so we spent the day in waiting mode.  The next morning was clear, this was our shot.  The clouds stayed high and we only made one navigation error, which was pretty good considering some of the highly technical aspects that we encountered.  The snow fields were stunning and Mt Jefferson loomed, reminding us of the amazing place we were in that so few people get the chance to experience.

I had been traveling with my new friend Crazy Cloud through the most dangerous snowy bits, safety in numbers.  After a long day we came across Lake Pamelia.  The sun was still out and we eagerly dropped our packs (and other articles) and plunged into the crisp water for a rare chance to wash off the layers of sweat and grime.  After getting out and drying out bodies in the sun we realized there were hikers with day packs and a family just down the coast setting up camp.  There are many times we seem to come in the back door.  Spending many days in the backcountry, at times it is difficult to tell how close we are to civilization.  Most people are keen to hear of our adventures and also eager to see if we need anything... the marshmallows were super tasty!!!

And for a small reprieve,  we are spending a day in Eugene, OR with a very good friend from college.  Last night was an odd case of being within a half mile and totally missing each other.  Of course without cell phones the best we could do was keep looking.  Finally, at 11pm, Chris Boveroux was driving back home from Mackenzie Pass with a very tired hiker and traildog in his car.  A true Trail Angel!!!!!



For the rest of Oregon Highlands we are expecting to encounter a bizarre combination of snow and swarms of mosquitoes.  All part of the adventure!!!

Happy Trails!
Beads & Roxtar

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

Oregon

In the interest of time, we are heading to Portland, OR today and will walk south from Cascade Locks on the Columbia River tomorrow.  We have had our share of fun in the Pacific Northwest while the weather sorted itself out, and it is now time to put our paws in motion.  We are certainly saddened with not being able to achieve our original goal, but as many say, "the mountains will always be there".  The remainder of our journey is no small feat indeed, we have our work cut out for us and we are more excited than ever to explore the next chapter of our journey on the PCT.

Peace and Love,
"Beads" & "Roxtar"

Land of the Lost WOLVES

Just last year, BBC sent a crew with rather expensive toys to this very region with a mission to further investigate the very real possibility that Wolves are coming from Canada back down the Cascades and recolonizing in Washington state and possibly even further south.  It is a 2 part series that is brilliantly done.  Also exciting to realize that we have been in the heart of where these beautiful and elusive creatures have been surviving and reproducing under the radar.  The stuff of fairy tales, it is easy to imagine them in this wild country, perfect for staying hidden.  How incredible would it be to see tracks or even hear a howl.  We would be truly blessed indeed.  It will be airing on the Discovery Channel soon, they have not posted the time yet but if someone finds it please post so everyone can watch.  There is a section that investigates the "Hozameen Pack" and that is exactly where I started out.  I didnt take this photo but it was taken on a beach that we were near.

The weather looks like it may be improving but of course I am hesitating because the weatherman is not always right.  It's official, this June was the wettest on record in the pacific northwest, validating that we aren't just being wimpy...  With all the precipitation the snow is actually melting faster than normal in lower elevations so there is still a chance we may get lucky.  Only time will tell.  It seems there are other part of the country experiencing their own crazy weather phenomenon, not to mention the wildfires in Colorado.  Be safe, and have fun exploring your own corner of the world!

"We are now in the mountains, and they are in us..."  ~John Muir

Peace and Love,
"Beads" & "Roxtar"