Cascade Head Hike

I've been dying to get out to some hikes on the Oregon Coast and yesterday I was finally able to!  I met my friend Caitlin at the lower trailhead. Note! There are multiple trailhead's to get to Cascade Head view points, but the lower trailhead is the one we took to allow for a longer hike (about 7 miles round trip). The upper trailhead comes in from a different side and is only a short mile long hike in.  Caitlin drove to the upper trail head originally and I was waiting for her at the lower trailhead!

We eventually got going and the beginning of the hike is a little weird and unclear of where you're going. But rest assured, follow the little hike posts! It follows the road out of Knight park, crosses the street and runs parallel to another road. At the top of this hill, it looks as if there is no more trail. Oddly on the left hand side of the street (opposite of where you come out) there is a little trail through some grass that leads down to a gravel road to the left. That's the one to follow! At the bottom of this hill, there will be a worn sign on the right hand side that says "Cascade Head Natural Area." Take this trail. The trail winds up and up and over little bridges until you finally emerge on the side of this mountainous hill. The views are immediately tremendous to the south. The Salmon River Estuary dominates an ocean view that extends to Lincoln City. There's a small oasis of trees is a draw, then the trail again hits the open slopes. The trail traverses along the ridge at about the 500 foot level, finally coming to a view north, down a cliff to the Pacific. From there, the trail switches back to begin climbing the slope. After several switchbacks, it levels out somewhat at the 1300 foot level at an upper viewpoint. Follow the narrow trails and you will see incredible views of the Oregon coastline. I will be completely honest, to get to the upper viewpoint is a total bitch. It was consistently uphill, narrow, uneven trails, and in the direct sunlight.  Super great for your calves and your butt though! Worth it for that alone!  You'll finally get to the top with some more great views in a nearly panoramic manner.

All in all, great hike! Thought I would be more sore today, but I am feeling great! Make sure to bring water and a snack, or get lunch in lincoln city afterward! Thats what we did!

• Date of hike: July 26th, 2014
• Distance: 7 miles roundtrip

• Elevation gain: 1300 feet

• Difficulty: Moderate (the last few hills were pretty difficult)
• Miles thus far: 125/200 miles this year

This is an arial view of how high we climbed! We started at the very bottom righthand side and climbed and weaved across to the left and up to the top right!

 Lower viewpoint

Caitlin and I at the lower viewpoint

There were lots of little side trails that opened up to views north of Cascade Head, like this one!

We finally made it to the upper viewpoint!

Realized on my drive home that I put sunscreen on everywhere except my chest... which resulted in this great burn, with a great white line across due to my backpack strap. Cute!

Incredible day, super hike, amazing views!

Joryville Park - Salem's Hidden Gem!

Many of my friends are now aware of my hiking hobby/obsession and are often asking which hikes are best or asking if they can join with me! I am loving it! My good friend Renegade (Matt) mentioned to me that he would love to hike with me one day. He was training for summer firefighting season and would  hike with a 50lb pack on his back and break in his boots.  Renegade is from south Salem and he told me about a hiking area near his house.

On fourth of July, I got up in the morning and headed out to Joryville Park.  To get there, take Liberty Rd. south past Kuebler Blvd. a few miles and take a right on Jory Hill Rd. You'll then take a left on Elmhurst Rd. which will lead you to a gravel parking lot.

I entered the gate to the park and immediately came to a fork in the road. To the left was a flatter trail and to the right went straight uphill. I ventured uphill. The paved path went up and lead to an adjacent earthy trail. I took the dirt trail and continued uphill. Finally, I came out of the woods and to a clearing. A giant grass field with a lone, majestic tree at the center and an incredible view of Mt. Jefferson.  There is a trail that wraps around this clearing. I started along it, then veered off back into the woods for a while on different trails and ended up back at the clearing. I then followed the perimeter of the clearing and dove back into the woods near where I had originally come out.  I aimlessly followed trails hoping to come out where the flatter trail had gone at the beginning of the hike. However, I ended up right where I started. I was curious if the paved road just went in a loop, so I climbed the hill again following the road until it ended at the top of the hill.  Giving up on how this park was structured, I headed back down and finished my hike.

• Date of hike: July 4th, 2014
• Distance: 2 miles

• Elevation gain: 304 feet

• Difficulty: Easy
• Miles thus far: 110/200 miles this year

The following week, Renegade and I went on an evening hike at Joryville Park. When we finished, he asked if I wanted to see another little spot. So we went over and hiked the Croisan Scenic Way Trail, which, out and back, is about a mile and a half. We made it back to the car just as it was getting dark! Its always fun to have a friend and hiking facilitates great conversation!

• Date of hike: July 11th, 2014
• Distance: 5 miles

• Elevation gain: no idea!

• Difficulty: Easy (except the heat...)
• Miles thus far: 113/200 miles this year

 Clearing at the top of the hill at Joryville Park

We didn't snap a picture, but this is Renegade my hiking buddy for Joryville!

Camp Silver Creek Hiking

The week of Fourth of July, my boss was in the Bahama's and I was to go out to several clinics for marketing. My good friend Cara came from Albany and kept me company as I drove around all over Salem, out to Dallas, and even to Stayton.  We made Stayton our last stop, said a quick hello to Cara's dad at his office, and headed out to Silver Falls State Park, but this time to camp! (One good reason for hiking from camp is that it didn't cost me to park there :) ) 

We hiked all around camp as I gave her a little tour of the place I call home. We then went out to the chapel area and straight up to the fire road.  Once at the fire road, we took a left and headed up hill following the road to an overnight spot we used at summer camp with campers called Chapel Spot.  It was quite warm and it was getting later in the day, so instead of continuing up to Marth's Mill, we headed back down. On the way back down, I totally missed the trail that goes back into chapel. We followed the fire road all the way back down to the main road leading into camp. This was fine because it lead us to the perfect spot for some photos!

• Date of hike: July 2nd, 2014
• Distance: 3 miles

• Elevation gain: no idea!

• Difficulty: Easy (except getting up chapel hill!)
• Miles thus far: 108/200 miles this year

Winter Falls

In late June I decided to hike at Silver Falls State Park in the morning, then head over to visit Camp Silver Creek as they were in the middle of staff training. I originally planned on doing the entire trail of ten falls (9 mile loop), however because I was just too antsy to get to camp, I cut over at Winter Falls and did the shorter 5 mile loop.

• Date of hike: June 23rd, 2014
• Distance: 5 miles

• Elevation gain: 1,300 feet

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Miles thus far: 105/200 miles this year

 Winter Falls

 Behind Lower South Falls

I couldn't wait to visit camp! It's like coming home!

Progress report!

I thought I might give and update of the changes in my body from the end of February to the time I hit my 100 miles of hiking mark!

In the three and a half months (from end of February to Mid June) of starting this challenge and making some changes of mindfulness in my diet I have: 

- Lost 37 lbs!
- Dropped from a size 24 to a size 18!
- Increased energy!
- Clearer skin!

Also! I upped my goal from 100 miles to 200 miles this year! I still have 6 months to get 100 more miles!

I thought a good way to show some of my bodily changes would be to use the dress I wore in my brother's wedding. This photo shows an almost exact one year difference!

Left: June 14th, 2013                 Right: June 13th, 2014
In March of 2013, I was 309 lbs             And here I dropped to 251 lbs
that's a 58 lb difference!

100 miles.... COMPLETE!

I thought it would take me the whole year to get to 100 miles of hiking, however, it only took about 3 1/2 months!

I have been doing my clinical hours for my Masters in Counseling internship in Corvallis on Thursdays and Fridays. I finished up this Friday early and decided to go hike Bald Hill on the west side of Corvallis. I have hiked this twice before, but this time I started in a different place.

I parked on the north side of the park off of NW Oak Creek Dr.  I took an immediate right turn and hiked along some farmland leading to another path that took me to the base of the hill. I winded around the hill a bit and then took a trail that lead me straight up to the top.  From the top I went back down on a different path and was a little unsure of where it would take me. It ended up being a loop back to the top, so I had to turn around and find a path that would take me to the bottom. I eventually got to the bottom and was near the other entrance to the park off of SW Reservoir Ave.  Following the paved path, I took a right where I thought it would take me back to the beginning where I started. However, after getting all the way to the end of this path, I realized I was not where I started, I was at the Benton County Fairgrounds! There was no path that would take me directly to where I started, so I had to go all the way back the way I came. After taking the correct way at the fork in the trail, I came across the trademark run down barn that is a part of this park.  Of course I had to stop and check it out. There was a field of incredibly giant dandelion wishes surrounding the barn. It was whimsical.  Back on the trail, I followed it to the end and successfully made it back to my car!

I had planned it to only be a couple miles, however, I took a couple wrong turns and it ended up being about a 5 mile hike...bringing me to my 100 mile mark!

I also have had a lot of extra energy lately and had weird urges to run/jog. And if anyone knows me, I am certainly not a person who enjoys running. The only way I am running is if someone or something is chasing me. So this hike I actually ran a good amount on the trails.

• Date of hike: June 13th, 2014
• Distance: 5 miles

• Elevation gain: 500 feet

• Difficulty: Easy
• Miles thus far: 100/100 miles this year

At the top of Bald Hill (left photo), Old restored barn (top right), View of Corvallis area from the top (bottom right) 

Giant whimsical wishes!

State Parks Day!

In June I went up to Silver Falls State Park to do the Trail of Ten Falls and to my pleasant surprise, it happened to be State Parks Day! Therefore, entrance to the park was free of charge! I have realized I probably should have just bought the $50 pass for unlimited visits for the year, but here I am.

• Date of hike: June 7th, 2014
• Distance: 9 miles

• Elevation gain: 1,300 feet

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Miles thus far: 95/100 miles this year

Portland's Pittock Mansion

I had a weekend class again, which traditionally can make it difficult to go hiking or even work out since I am in class all day Friday and all day Saturday in Portland.  However, while sitting in class Saturday afternoon I knew we would get out a little early. So I looked up good little hikes in the Portland city limits.  I landed on Macleay Park to Pittock Mansion! It was a beautiful day and just the right temperature to hike!

Starting at Lower Macleay Park, I followed Balch Creek for about three quarters of a mile. At that point I reached an old stone house. The trail either goes straight on or you can curve up to the right straight uphill. I was not positive on which trail was the correct one to take. As I tried to figure it out, another hiker came along and I was able to ask which trail went to Pittock Mansion. Straight on I continued onto the Wildwood Trail. Crossing over the creek on a footbridge, I began climbing out of the Balch Creek canyon to reach Upper Macleay Park on Cornell road.  I crossed Cornell Road and continued uphill on the Wildwood trail to the top arriving at the Pittock Mansion.

It was a wonderful view of Portland and of Mt. Hood.  There was several photoshoots happening while I was up there including a Quinceañera and an engagement shoot! 

It was a great hike without requiring much travel! I am now always aware of and researching hikes I can do when I am travelling!

• Date of hike: May 31st, 2014
• Distance: 5 miles

• Elevation gain: 900 feet

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Miles thus far: 86/100 miles this year

Pittock mansion (top photo), Stone house as you come to the Wildwood Trail (bottom left), Balch Creek (bottom right) 

Beautiful day at Pittock Mansion

 Incredible view of the city of Portland

Memorial Day Weekend

It was not my most intelligent moment in deciding to go hiking at Silver Falls on Saturday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend. Nonetheless, I did it. I was quite annoyed most of the hike because I kept getting stuck behind a multitude of tourists and groups of children. (I really do love children, just not when they are in my way on the trail...and I'm not responsible for them, just sayin.)

The good news! I got to use my GoPro! It is such a handy tool for hiking and getting quality photographs! I don't have to lug around my big Nikon, nor do I have to deal with the minimal quality of the camera on my phone.

• Date of hike: May 24th, 2014
• Distance: 9 miles

• Elevation gain: 1,300 feet

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Miles thus far: 72/100 miles this year

North Falls

At lower North Falls

(Hey! Look! My face is looking thinner!)

And because, why not? I had nothing better to do on Monday, Memorial Day...so I did the hike again! However, this time I learned from my experience. I went early morning and missed most of the tourist crowd, thank goodness!

• Date of hike: May 26th, 2014
• Distance: 9 miles

• Elevation gain: 1,300 feet

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Miles thus far: 81/100 miles this year

Lower South Falls

Multnomah Falls...Scratch that...Larch Mountain... Scratch that... Oneonta Falls

Back in May, I was up in Portland for a weekend class, which provided a great opportunity to hike in the Columbia River Gorge again!  I dropped my mom and step-dad off at the airport for their Hawaii trip (ridiculous right?) and headed out right from there. I brought my mom's 8 month old black lab puppy, Lucy, with me. I had to get that cool hiker image right? Which meant that if I had a dog hiking, I looked super cool and hip. (haha...right.)

My original plan was to hike Multnomah Falls.  However, when I got there I quickly found that due to landslides and rain, the trail was closed!  So I figured I would go down the road and start at Horsetail Falls again and head up either to Triple Falls, or further to Larch Mountain. So I steeply headed up the trail by Horsetail Falls, looped under Ponytail Falls, and on to the Oneonta Gorge.  There were beautiful waterfalls, beautiful views of the Columbia River Gorge,  the ground was muddy but wasn't at least it wasn't raining! Just past Oneonta Falls, as I was ascending the trail to Triple Falls, another hiker informed me that the trail ahead was also closed to rain and mudslide mumbo jumbo! It was disappointing, at the same time, I wasn't super bummed because Lucy was not the best hiking partner. She definitely needed a little more training. But as you'll see in the photos, she is so adorable!

• Date of hike: May 18th, 2014
• Distance: 3 miles

• Elevation gain: 610 feet

• Difficulty: Easy
• Miles thus far: 63/100 miles this year

This is as far as I got with Multnomah Falls, but it is still beautiful from a distance!

My sweet Lucy in front of Ponytail Falls

Lucy and I in front of Oneonta Falls

 Love this sweet girl, puppy love

 This was Lucy on our drive back into the city... she was totally pooped!

"Where we're going, we don't need roads" ~ Dr. Emmett Brown

Back to hiking solo! This meant a nice hike on the trail of 10 falls at Silver Falls State Park! I always love it!

• Date of hike: May 3rd, 2014
• Distance: 9 miles

• Elevation gain: 1,300 feet

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Miles thus far: 60/100 miles this year

Gotta get those miles in!

Selfie at the classic photo location for all tourists in front of South Falls

 The beautiful South Falls

 At North Falls

 North Falls

Opal Creek

Yay! Found a friend to hike with! Which means I got to explore a new location! My friend Cara and I drove out to Opal Creek in the North Fork/Santiam area just east of Salem.  I was a bit of a nervous driver with my little toyota corolla because the road to get in has a lot of pot holes, but it wasn't too shabby! It was definitely worth the anxiety! Plus, hey! I am halfway to my goal already!

• Date of hike: April 26th, 2014
• Distance: 10 miles

• Elevation gain: 500 feet

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Miles thus far: 51/100 miles this year

We parked at the trailhead and headed to Jawbone Flats and then further to Cedar Flats.  Once you enter, you definitely feel as if you have gone back into time. Everywhere you look, you have 450-year-old trees, but many are a thousand years old. Along the hike you will see many rusty old mining tools, an old watershed, and even a mining entrance into the mountain. 

At the 2-mile mark, you will come to the rusting machinery of Merten Mill on the right. The mill operated briefly during the Depression, using winches from the battleship USS Oregon, but folded after two of the mill's lumber trucks fell off the narrow canyon road. Definitely stop here and take a detour on a short side trail behind the building. This leads to Sawmill falls, also called Cascadia Los Ninos, a 30-foot cascade pouring into a deep green pool.

About a mile after Sawmill Falls, the trail leads to a small historic mining community called Jawbone Flats.  You will immediately be transported back in time to Oregon’s mining heydays.

After you take the time to check out this incredible historic community, take a right turn past a building humming with a water-powered generator.  When you reach the trail junction beside Opal Pool continue upstream 0.6 mile to a single-log footbridge. Along the way you'll pass several small waterfalls. If you like, continue 0.9 mile upstream on a rougher trail to Cedar Flat's trio of ancient red cedars, 500-1,000 years old.  We made it nearly to Cedar Flats, but it was starting to get late, so we opted to turn back. Plus, we were starving! And remember, the best thing about hiking is that you can eat nearly guilt free for dinner that night! :)

It was an incredible place and a great hike. Can't wait to go back with the warmer weather and get down into the creek!

 The junction to Cedar Flats with Opal Creek in the background

 There were a plethora of small and large waterfalls in this Oregon Wilderness Gem

 Cara above Sawmill Falls

 At Sawmill Falls

 Cara was a great hiking partner!

 Some shots of the historic Jawbone Flats

 The water was so clear!

 Cascadia de Los ninos - "waterfall of the children". This falls is the end of salmon and steelhead runs in the little north for Santiam River. This stream is the only river in the willamette river system that is un-damned from its source (opal lake) to the ocean.

So thankful for Cara as my hiking partner so I could discover this beautiful hike! I love living in the Pacific Northwest!