February 12, 2012 - HIKE NUMBER 50!!!!!!!!!

Lost Palms Oasis, Joshua Tree National Park

9.1 miles round trip including 3 different Oasis.



This was a wonderful, challenging hike. The first part of the hike is deceptively easy. Most people just walk down to this first set of palms at Cottonwood Spring. They certainly are beautiful, but being only about 0.25 mile from the parking lot does not really seem like an Oasis.

The trail that heads to the Lost Palms branches off southeastwards and is essentially straight for the 4 miles to the oasis, with an elevation gain of 450 feet. The surroundings are impressive from the start. There are many outcrops of granitic boulders that rise from an the plateau. The ground is covered by coarse light colored sand. It is amazing how many wildflowers were growing in this rough environment. I can imagine that this hike would be covered in wildflowers in the spring.

I liked this hike better than the two we did yesterday. The terrain seemed more varied and the flowers and cactus were very interesting. At one point, we headed off trail to climb on some of the enormous granite outcrops of rocks. Ken especially enjoyed climbing on the rocks. I think it reminded him of his climbing days back in Scotland.

About 3.5 miles into the hike we finally reached Lost Palms Oasis. It really is spectacular to see this stand of palm trees in such a dry area. 



 

After reaching the Lost Palms Canyon which is rated a moderate hike, we decided to continue on to the Victory Palms and Munsen Canyon that involved a great deal of boulder scrambling. This part of the hike was rated strenuous. It certainly was strenuous as we had to climb on some rocks that I was absolutely amazed that water could transport.

After making it to Munsen Canyon, we snapped several pictures and then headed back up the wash to Lost Palms. This was a wonderful way to spend my day in the desert. I am very greatful for my adorable husband who took me on this trip to celebrate not only my 50th hike but my 50th birthday as well. 

WELL, there you go, 50 HIKES TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS!!!!



February 11, 2012 - Hike 49

Split Rock Trail, Joshua Tree National Park

2.7 Miles


A beautiful late afternoon hike in Joshua Tree National Park. The weather has been absolutely perfect for hiking today. I think it was about 75 degrees and the sun felt warm and comforting.


As we started out on this hike, we heard this crazy noise coming from under the big rock. I thought it was the wind whistling through the cracks of the rock. But it had a more melodic sound...deep moaning. We hiked around the rock to a group of muscians playing didgeridoos. The rock had a small cave under it which acted like an amplifier. They had recording equipment and seemed to be making a permanent record of their time under the rock. Seemed appropriate since the didgeridoo comes from the land down under.

After listening for a while, we started our hike. The terrain was beautiful and as the sun headed down it cast some beautiful shadows. I took a picture of the shadow of a catus on one of the granite rocks.

After hiking for a little while longer, I began to need a break. The desert provided the perfect resting spot of which I took full advantage.



After resting a bit, we headed for "Face Rock". The walk through the desert was very pleasant. This hike is relatively flat and not too long. The disadvantage to this is that there are more people around, including these couple of crazy guys.

Overall, great day in the desert. Between this hike and the Lost Horse Mine hike we logged 9.2 miles for the day.

February 11, 2012 - Hike 48

Lost Horse Mine Trail, Joshua Tree National Park
6.5 Miles


YEA!!! Sunshine in the Desert near Palm Springs. Ken took me to Joshua Tree National Park for my 50th Birthday so I could finish my 50 hikes in the climate I LOVE.

Our first hike was a 6.5 mile round-trip to the Lost Horse Mine. Back in the 1800's, California was the place to be for gold and silver mining. The story of the Lost Horse Mine is that Johnny Lang and his son drove their cattle into the valley when there was nothing but cattle and Indians.

One night while camped, the Lang's horses got away from them. The next day while searching for their horses they came across a gold claim owned by another man "Dutch" Frank. Dutch was being threatened by cattle rustlers and was fearful for his life. He readily sold the mine to the Lang's for $1,000.

The Lost Horse Mine eventually produced 10,000 ounces of gold and 16,000 ounces of silver (worth approximately $5 million today) between 1894 and 1931. The picture above is what is left of that mine.

After visiting the mine, we headed down the mountain to an area that had many Joshua Trees. They are not the most beautiful trees, but for the Mojave Desert, they were very spectacular. We had a great time on this first day of desert hiking. OH! how I love the desert sun!!!!

February 2, 2012 - Hike 47

Horsetail Falls - Oneonta Gorge Hike 2.7 miles




Second hike at the Gorge today. This one is easily accessed from Portland by taking the Bridal Veil exit, #28, off I-84 from Portland. Drive east on the Historic Highway about 5.5 miles to the Horsetail Falls parking.

After parking, you will need to walk along the highway a short distance to the old tunnel. Walk through the tunnel to access the trialhead on the other side.

The trail begins with some easily graded switchbacks. At about a half mile into the trail, you will come to Ponytail Falls. The falls are very pretty and the trail goes under the falls to the other side of the valley.

After leaving ponytail falls behind, continue west along the bluff. There are some very nice views.The trail then continues into Oneonta Canyon.  Just past a weeping wall, the trail begins to switchback down to a crossing of Oneonta Creek. There's a view into the upper end of Oneonta Gorge from the second switchback. The trail crosses Oneonta Creek on a metal bridge.

This was a very nice hike. Being the second hike of the day, we left very tired and hungary. We stopped at Multnomah Falls lodge for some Cream of Red Pepper Soup, yummy and warming to the tummy.

February 5, 2012 - Hike 46

Latourell Falls Hike - 2.7 miles


Amazingly, we had another clear day for hiking, but was very cold and windy in the Gorge. We chose Latourell Falls for my 46th hike. It is the closest of the Columbia Gorge waterfalls to Portland. It's just barely visible from the highway, but a short walk up a steep paved path leads to a clear viewpoint. On this day, we chose to do the 2.5 mile loop which visits Latourell Falls, Upper Latourell Falls, decends down to the road where you can cross over to Guy Talbot Park.
To do this loop, begin at the Latourell Falls Trailhead, follow the paved viewpoint trail up to the viewpoint. From there, a dirt path leads away to the left, steeply around the basin. The picture at the left of a side view of the falls was taken along the trail.

The main trail continues and passes over several pleasant, small wooden bridges and then comes to Upper Latourell Falls.

After hiking past the upper falls, you will descend towards the road. You can return to the trailhead by hiking across the bridge, but there's more trail across the road. Look to the left of the trail exit, across the street and you will find a trail that leads to an old set of stairs. They take you into Guy Talbot Park. Guy Talbot is the man that owned Latourell Falls. The trail drops down to a parking area with picnic tables. From there another paved trail heads back under the highway bridge to the base of the main Falls.

Nice hike for a cold but sunny day. Our GPS showed a final distance of 2.7 miles round-trip.

February 2, 2012 - Hike 45

Nike Campus, Beaverton 2.7 Miles


Today was one of those rare sunny-winter days in Beaverton. It was almost painful to have windows in my classroom. The students were restless and I really wanted to get out and feel the sun on my face.

At 3:30 I rushed out the door to pick up Ken so that we could go for a hike before it became dark. We headed down Murray to the Nike campus. The trail that surrounds the campus winds around the parking area surrounded by well maintained grounds. One corner of the campus is predominately a natural wetland area. It has great big bull frogs that sing in the early mornings but today they were quiet. The wetland area is also a home to several varieties of ducks, geese and an occasional nutria.

If you choose to hike around Nike, be sure to take one of the trails to the center of the campus to check out the man made lake surrounded by gardens. It really is beautiful. If you happen to hike or run there in the early morning you will be able to experience a great solitude and watch the mist rise from the lake. It really is a great place for a little exercise in the morning. My friend and I have walked there at 5:30 am so many mornings I lost count. Usually we are alone on the trails and it is very peaceful.

Today, there were several people on the trail: runners, walkers and Nike employees just getting off work. Still a great way to spend an early evening. The sun did not start going down until about 5:00. Great time.

January 28, 2008 - Hike 44

Wild Cherry/Dogwood Trails
Forest Park - 3.5 Miles

What a beautiful day for a hike. After what seemed like weeks of grey weather we finally had a beautiful sunny day. Still a little cold but what a wonderful treat to feel the sun on our faces.

I often find myself wishing that I lived somewhere that has more sunny weather but every time I enter Forest Park, I am greatful to live in this area. It is such a joy to be able to decide on a hike and be at your destination in a matter of minutes.

Forest Park is the largest wooded city park in the U.S. It is a wonderful retreat from the city and covers 5,000 acres. The longest trail in Forest Park (and one of my favorites) is the 30.2-mile Wildwood Trail that traverses the park in a zig-zagging northwest/southwest direction.

Very few sections of the Wild Cherry trail is flat, as most sections climb and descend gradually. Occassionaly you will catch glimpses of the Wullamette River and Portland from the trail that is surrounded by Douglas fir, western hemlock, and western red cedar.

You can access the Wild Cherry trail from the trailhead at the end of NW Thurman Street—about 1.5 miles west of NW 23rd Avenue—you will need to walk along Leif Erikson Drive in a northwesterly direction for 1 mile. The Wild Cherry trail is on the left side of Leif Erikson Drive (permanently closed road) accessed from the parking area at the end of NW Thurman Street.

Great hike! I recommend it for anytime of year.