Hiking the Great Northwest: 6 Month Update

The last 6 months have been a bit of a whirlwind, so I've definitely been behind on the blog! I left in June to be a Mental Health Specialist at a residential summer camp for about 10 weeks. Naturally, being in the middle of the woods, I was a bit out of commission! Therefore in the interest of catching up, here are a list and some pictures of the hikes I've done!

1. Beacon Rock, Washington
Date of hike: April 18th, 2015
Distance: 2 Miles
Elevation gain: 680 Feet
Difficulty: Easy

The crew that went with! (Left to right: My brother, Cody, Me, Emily, Steph, and Asher)

Can I just highlight how stunning this couple is? I could write a whole blog post on how I'm in love with these two, just saying.

2. Mt. Zion, Angeles National Forest, California

Date of hike: April 24th, 2015
Distance: 10 Miles
Elevation gain: 2,200 feet
Difficulty: Difficult

It was super cloudy in Southern California that day, but still stunning. It was unreal and expanded my vision of what to picture when I think of California.

The poor drought diminished one of the only waterfalls near Los Angeles to a trickle.

At this point, the top of Mt. Zion, I may be smiling but rest assured I was so angry. I was exhausted and sore already and then had no view at the top! It was incredibly foggy, and quite eerie to be honest since not many people were around.

3. Stahlman Point

Date of hike: May 9th, 2015
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation gain: 1,300 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

The crew that hiked with me! Rebecca and Katy definitely loved the steepness of this hike!

1,300 feet gained in 2.5 miles? Hello calves!

Spectacular view of Mt. Jefferson from this summit!

Poor Detroit Lake was pretty sad this summer after a fairly dry winter! #budgetcuts

4. Henline Falls

Date of hike: May 16th, 2015
Distance: 2 miles
Elevation gain: 200 feet

Difficulty: Easy

On this short hike near Shellburg Falls, Jesus and Rebecca tagged along!

5. Mary's Peak

Date of hike: May 25th, 2015
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation gain: 1,200 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

Mary's Peak is the highest point in the Coastal Range.

What a stunning day this was.

I love this girl.

6. Butte Creek Falls

Date of hike: May 30th, 2015
Distance: 1 mile

Elevation gain: 320 feet
Difficulty: Easy

Butte Creek Falls was really more of a short jaunt with Katy!

This secluded spot would be perfect for a picnic date with your someone special!

7. Tamanawas Falls

Date of hike: June 11th, 2015
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation gain: 590 feet
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

My mother folks. She is the cooler, funnier, smarter version of me.

She's not a huge fan of hiking, hills, or falling and fracturing her tailbone. I swear she'll never hike with me again! Sorry mama!

8. A multitude of hiking near and far while at camp!

I hiked with the kids several times throughout the summer, and the longest one was from camp to Shellburg Falls!

Relaxing at Marth's Mill about 2 miles from main camp

I've blogged about my first time hiking at a first year counselor at camp back in 2009 before, but this summer I actually got to hike the path we take from camp to Shellburg Falls. This was the first time going this way since that unknowing historic hike 6 years ago! I went with about 30 teenagers and it was awesome!

Trail clearing with "Hush Puppy" up to one of our overnight spots for campers, North Fork Spot, roughly 4 miles from main camp.

Many times throughout the summer we took the kids over to the Upper North Falls portion of Silver Falls State Park. And you might be surprised to find out that, as many times as I have hiked through Silver Falls, I have never realized this part of the trail and this falls even existed! It is a phenomenal spot!

Ragger's Point is an uphill trail that I frequented many mornings before the children began their day

9. South Sister

Date of hike: September 2nd, 2015
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation gain: 4,000 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous

South Sister Summit has been my goal since the very beginning of my hiking life and I finally felt ready. If I could go back, I definitely would have done this hike just before camp. My normal exercise routine was on hold throughout the summer and unknowingly, I lost a lot of the strength I built up. South Sister, a hike that climbs nearly 5,000 feet in 6 miles, tested my endurance to its very limit. Every step was difficult and I had to stop and rest quite a few times. I was determined to make it to the top, however, the grace of God stopped me. It ended up to be a very foggy day and as we climbed higher the trail became much more treacherous due to icy, cold, and freezing rain conditions. My guess is that we made it about a mile from the summit before we decided to turn back. But rest assured, South Sister has not seen the last of me! I'll be back and I will summit. You better believe that picture will be sick!

My friend Glen went with (and had no trouble hiking by the way! Which of course was frustrating to me!) He was not amused by my GoPro action.

10. Three Pools

Date of hike: October 15th, 2015
Distance: 3 miles
Elevation gain: no idea
Difficulty: Easy

Katie and I definitely meant to hike the entire Little North Fork Hike as found on Oregon Hiker's Field Guide. However, we realized that we began in the wrong spot and ended up enjoying this spot on the river near the falls to chit chat and dream about her upcoming wedding! I guess we better go back!

11. Opal Creek Wilderness

Date of hike: October 31st, 2015
Distance: 10 miles
Elevation gain: 1,240 feet
Difficulty: Difficult

I'll be honest. The post-camp, post-schooling depression is real. In October, I had been unmotivated to move from the couch even, let alone hike. But on Halloween I forced myself to get outside in the pouring rain and flooded trails to trek 10 miles through Opal Creek Wilderness. At this point I decided it was time to refocus and find new motivation.