the-wandered-blog

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i think i’m done for the year. i am quite far behind (fourteen hikes) and the weather is getting rainier and colder here. after all of the fires throughout the state, moving, starting a new job, and dealing with my mental health, this just fell to the wayside. i may start again next year but i am not sure. i don’t even know if this blog will stay active. i wish i was finishing. i started this (albeit later in the year) ready to go and intended to finish. it just didn’t work out. i’m sorry (to myself). maybe next year.

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on tuesday i took t. to hayden bay near jantzen beach. the weather was nice (similar to the last time i was out there. but these photos are different, i assure you). it is quite a long bus ride but we got through it. we walked along the water stopping along the way as the sun made it hotter than it was supposed to. we avoided the geese when we got to them and had a nice stroll through the streets to finish the loop. this is definitely an urban hike. since it’s on the oregon hiker’s website i count it as one for this challenge. i don’t know when or if i’ll do it again but it’s always good to try something and t. is glad she went. i didn’t get photos from the second half of the hike but it was still just as similar to when i was here last.

-n.

2.5 miles, elevation gain: 10 ft.

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i finally back hiking. t. and i have settled into our new flat, as has her kitty lady. the weather has been cooling down. it’s the start of rainy season. there are still fires all over the state, but they are slowly but surely being contained. we got outside today for a quiet hike as t. wanted to go back to forest park and complete the hike to pittock mansion. unfortunately the lower macleay and parts of the wildwood trail were closed due to construction. we only found out when we got to macleay park.

instead we went towards the zoo with an intended loop through the hoyt arboretum in mind. we started in the arboretum but soon found ourselves back in forest park. after a long while i didn’t know if we’d been following the route directly or not. later we saw a sign for pittock mansion, a mile away. we decided to go for it. there was some rain here and there on us, but is felt nice.

we then made it to the mansion. due to the weather mt. hood wasn’t visible from the grounds but t. appreciated the view and the various flowers. we eventually headed back down to complete the hike. we had seen a trail map earlier and decided on our route. we ended at the visitors center and took the free washington park shuttle back to the zoo. we stopped at the international rose test garden but eventually left as t. saw how massive it actually was. we were tired and wanted to stop a couple of places before heading home.

we both really enjoyed the hike. sometimes you can’t go by a map or a trail guide, you have to forge your own path. sometimes the trail doesn’t lead you were you think you’re supposed to go or where you want but you find so much more. hiking is so parallel to life. sometimes you just have to breath in the fresh air and keep going.

-n.

4.15 miles, elevation gain: 670 ft.

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update.

i know i haven't posted on here in a while. there has been a heatwave in oregon this summer. alongside that there have been numerous fires, specifically around southern oregon (which is where i am). i want to be safe when hiking and these conditions are not ideal to be out in the heat and smoke-filled air. i am moving back home to portland in a week and a half and once i get settled i will start hiking again. i won't have mt. tabor in walking distance but i will have forest park among other great trails close to me. i have more access now. i want to be out in nature but the conditions here prohibit me. i can't wait to start hiking again after i am all moved in. stay tuned. hikes definitely coming soon.

-n.

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today t. and are in portland and i took her hiking at powell butte. she had never been and i knew she’d enjoy it. we started at the holgate boulevard trailhead, went half a mile in to the elderberry stairs, then went up pipeline lane to meadowland on our way to summit lane to see to the mountain viewfinder. we went back the way we came afterwards.

it was warmer out but there were slight breezes during parts of the hike. we started in forested area as i knew t. would enjoy the nature. she also enjoyed the wild blackberries we found on our way. the sky was a bit hazy so we didn’t get the clearest view of the mountains. we did see them though. i was talking more photographs and videos with my other cameras to take any on my phone. i just forgot. but i did get a few at the trailhead before we left and one of t. when she found a spot under the trees at the top to rest before heading back down.

this is a hiking spot that i will always recommend in the portland area. of the boring volcanoes this is my favourite of buttes in the city. there are various types of trails for all experiences. when t. and i are back in the city i know we’ll come here again.

-n.

2.5 miles, elevation gain: 600 ft.

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on sunday t. and i we’re back in ashland as we had to back to pick her mother up from the medford airport. we went back to lithia park to hike. last time we hiked part of the bandersnatch trail. then we had drove up past the granite street reservoir and went about 0.2 miles on what was still a connection to the bandersnatch trail. i didn’t add it that time.

this time we went back to that connection and hiked. the trail isn’t really a trail in some parts as it is rocks and boulders on the ashland creek. we went as far as it looked the trail went. we also didn’t want to be stuck just climbing over rocks and trees. the hike was only 0.75 miles so we added a connection with the trail, lower in the park near the upper duck pond. this then made the entire hike 1.01 miles. i say this counts for a hike.

now i am caught up with the hike challenge as of this week. again, if you are in ashland, lithia park is a great place to explore. there are trails even for the novice hiker to explore. running along ashland creek you get a variety of natural settings around you. i don’t know if we’ll be back in ashland before we move next month but it has been great to explore while we can. though i cannot wait for longer hikes back in portland and those surrounding areas.

-n.

1.01 miles, elevation gain: 90 ft.

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early this morning t. and i had to take her mother to the medford airport. we decided to spend half the day in ashland which is about twenty minutes from medford. it was still dark out so we ended up trying to sleep more in the car. once it was light out we found a hiking trail (bandersnatch trail; most the trails have alice in wonderland names which i love).

we followed the trail along the ashland creek and went up in elevation for a short loop. it was pretty flat and easy. we had gone so early in the morning because we have a heat advisory warning with temperatures near and over one hundred degrees.

in the end t. and i really both liked this park and the hike. it’s great to have hiking trails so close to town. i have that back in portland and will again next month with t. there is much more to this park than hiking trails though. there are fountains, duck ponds, and even a swimming reservoir. there are specific fountains at the entrance to the park with “lithia water” which is natural to the area (and how the park got its name). try it if you wish but it tastes terrible, like carbonated egg salad water. that’s the only way to describe it.

hopefully the weather cools down so we can hike again soon so i can catch up with my hikes. as of now i believe i am one behind. i will continue on.

-n.

1.75 miles, elevation gain: 200 ft.

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update.

i'm sorry for the lack of posts here. i haven't hiked recently and have been unmotivated to do so. it has also been in the 90s here thus there is only a short time window to hike when it's not blasting out. i do know that when i return to portland i will catch up and be doing more than one a week. i do intend to still hike while i'm in southern oregon as i have five weeks left. as of now, with being two ahead previously i should be caught up exactly. i'll hike soon. -n.

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i’m back at hiking again after taking a week off. i am still two hikes ahead though. t. and i went out to moore park. there are various trails and it’s easily accessible. we went at golden hour and it was beautiful. the sun was setting over klamath lake, illuminating the mountains. it was a simple and short hike to get us outside. it has been quite hot here, in the nineties so we’re glad it cools down at night. it’s nice to know i’m still not far from nature and outdoors here in southern oregon.

-n.

1.05 miles, elevation gain: 115 ft.

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still camping, on wednesday i went on a solo hike up humbug mountain. i knew that if i didn't hike it while there i would regret it and felt like i missed out. t went back to camp to rest after we spent a long morning exploring tide pools and sea caves at battle rock beach. she dropped me off at a trailhead on the highway and i began my journey.

hike routes i found showed the trailhead starting at the campsite but you are able to start at the highway. there is a parking lot there. as you start the trail you cross over the creek to the left and start the upwards journey. after about a mile and a half you can take either the west or east trail. the west trail has a few views of the coast while the east trail shows trees for miles. this isn't a hike for the views as there aren't many. it really is just dense forest.

i took the west trail up. it is steeping but it is a mile and a half compared to two miles for east trail. you are just switchbacking up the side of the mountain. it is hard to see where the top is as it just keeps going. eventually there are some benches but it's not the top. the. continuing up as it starts to level out you're still not at the top. soon you'll see a sign that points in the direction of both west and east trail. from there you head on a trail to the top.

the top doesn't have a view. it is just a bench and trees around you. it doesn't meant the hike isn't worth it. it is a good workout, and the forest is beautiful. you cross some small creeks, see tall trees, and smell the ocean air. there are some fallen trees you have to climb over or under currently but they are manageable. coming down from the summit i took the east trail. i wanted a bit easier hike, one less steep. it was nice to have a quiet forest hike down.

once i was finally down the mountain i took the trail under the highway and back to the campsites. i didn't track my hike due to my phone being on low battery but had information on the length and elevation gain. while i didn't not start at the trailhead from the campsite i did have to walk back to my campsite as we were at loop closer to the highway. if you're in the area you should hike this mountain. if you hike and there is something beautiful like this available to you there's no reason not to explore it.

-n.

5.5 miles, elevation gain: 1730 ft.

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last weekend i decided not to hike as i was one ahead and wanted to rest. i just moved as well and have been settling in. the past few days t and i have been camping at humbug mountain state park on the southern oregon coast. it is beautiful out here. we have found expanses of dark sandy beaches and rocky coves. one thing is the same though, as all the oregon coast is, the water is really cold.

on tuesday we went to sisters rock state park. there is no sign for it and it is relatively new in terms of state parks. between mile markers 314 and 315 there is a small turn off (it's not a proper road). it is easy to miss. we found it and took a short hike. the hike was to a giant sea cave. of the three sisters, two of them are attached to the headland while one is in the ocean. we went up a path on one and things took a turn for me.

a rain path looked like a path to go on so i climbed. in actuality i had read the directions one way and they meant another. there is a path on the left to frankport beach. then a fork and you take the right one. the directions i found talked about it with the first sister rock and i thought it meant the closest one. it also talked of something looking like a crater and we thought this one did. the info i found also said to scramble up a hundred feet. you're not supposed to climb on the monoliths and that's what happened. eventually i got scared and it was unsafe so i went back down, slowly. it was hard as the rocks to hold on to were mainly loose dirt rocks. at one point i was trying to find a way down and there was about a foot drop to the next place to get down. i couldn't find a way down and things to hold onto. i was on the verge of tears. thus my trail name for the day is " cliff crier". t had the nickname of "pit master" or "campfire chef" because she has made great meals on our slightly sad looking fire pit.

after i got down we explored more and then finally found the right of that fork. we climbed up some rocks and found the sea cave. it was massive. then we went along a bit of beach before going back to the other trail to frankport beach. when we were tired and cold we hiked back to the car to come back to camp.

if you are on the southern oregon coast near port orford (about fifteen to eighteen miles south) or nesika beach (about six to eight miles north) you should see this place. it's a hidden spot with beautiful views. don't make the same mistake i did of climbing where you're not supposed to. but it is fun to explore the rest of the state park. there's something about being places most people usually miss.

-n.

1.1 miles, elevation gain: 180 ft. (at least the websites i looked at said this)

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today i went back to conquer larch mountain. i am moving sunday and have other plans tomorrow so this was my last day for a few months to do this. i knew it was going to rain today but the forecast showed it clearing up. never trust weather forecasts in the pacific northwest, seriously.

i got up early again to catch the first gorge express bus. i did get a few more hours of sleep than the last time which was good. the bus first stopped at rooster rock state park (first photo). the water levels of the columbia river were so high that some of the stairs down were underwater. when i visited here last september there was a long stretch of sandy beach. this time it was just water.

then getting to multnomah falls, i started on trail. i knew my way so i was ready. what i didn’t expect is the downpour of rain. for most of the way up i was drenched in rain. i was just wet and cold. my phone camera kept getting wet thus the photos are not all clear. it does make them more haunting though. so for five miles i trudged through water and mud. i eventually made it to the same point i had turned around previously. the third photo is the view from there. then i kept going. at one point i saw a group with some children more than half my age. if they could get to the top with that much energy and gusto, so could i.

on the way up there were a couple moments of questioning the route but i trusted my instinct and was right. and then i made it to the top. but to be honest it was a bit anticlimactic. maybe it was because of being soaked but it didn’t feel as momentous. at the top there is basically a circle to walk around and then a paved path to sherrard’s point. there is also a trail for a crater and i could’ve added it on but with the weather choose not to. i did go to sherrard’s point. there are about one-hundred and twenty-two stairs leading to the viewpoint. if the weather was clearer it may have felt more epic. it was just miles of fog. that added to the haunting effects and vibes i felt.

then i turned around. i was ready to go down. i had gotten to the top just before half one, so it took me just under four hours. i was still in pouring rain. i just wanted to get down so i could get home to take a hot shower, not smelling as rank anymore. i have what i called “mind markers” for hikes where i make mental notes of notable things on the hike. this has the top of the multnomah falls trail, dutchman tunnel, the footbridges and trail markers for larch mountain, the rock field, and certain trees. so i was able to know where i was by what i saw around me. it’s a good way to gage where you are on a hike.

near my last two miles the rain finally let up. but i was still wet. i was thinking of the other side hikes i could’ve done because of the time. but decided to just head back. leaving sherrard’s point at half one i got back at quarter to five, so just over three hours. my phone didn’t die this time as i didn’t track my hike or spend too much time taking photos. i also kept it turned off for the bus ride there. i decided to get the five-ten bus back into the city and was able to get home around six-thirty. i have since showered and am glad to be relaxing. this hike marks 104.25 miles. i am having a more relaxed day tomorrow in the city but may hike mt. tabor tomorrow. the weather is “supposed” to be good. for my last portland hike in a few months that one feels right. and i’d be pleased to make it 1.75 miles to have an even 106 miles for being halfway through the 52 hike challenge.

so larch mountain has been completed. i recommend it, but only in good weather. the rain and the cold wasn’t as fun. and you do need to be more careful, especially going over rocks. my legs need to rest but feel good. i may take it easy for the next few weeks, not doing hikes as long or as high in elevation gain.

-n.

14 miles, elevation gain: 4,056 ft.

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yesterday (as it’s after midnight) i had another REI class, this time on lightweight backpacking (outdoors not travel, as i am already well versed in that). in having this class i decided to hike again before that. my intent was to do the marquam trail hike but the directions became confusing for me so i made my own way. the intended hike is a 10.6 mile hike, out and back. so i wanted to have my hike be around ten miles. my hike ended to being marquam trail at washington park/hoyt arboretum to terwilliger blvd.

the trail starts at hoyt arboretum and continues in washington park before moving on to marquam nature park. traversing through the park, there is also a stop at council crest (a hike i’ve done before). the way the light was hitting the flora was beautiful, even though it was mostly overcast. also the trail has a gradual descent, though most of it feels quite level to me. i was able to get through each half quite quickly. it definitely feels shorter than it is.

my legs don’t hurt as much right now but i will be resting today. i need to gather my energy because on friday i intend to hike larch mountain again. i move in less than four days, which can be overwhelming but i am ready and excited. t means i will have southern oregon hikes to add to this challenge. i am keeping up with it and am on track. i feel good about hiking the mileage i did today. i did what i set out to do.

-n.

10.5 miles, elevation gain: 1,000 ft.

p.s. i don’t know if i have written this but the reason i am doing this challenge is to get me moving and outdoors again. i let my mental health keep me inside when i love nature. this is helping me explore. i don’t care about going the farthest mileage or highest elevation. i just want to be outdoors in the fresh air and breathe.

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there are a lot of photos here. as well as this being quite a long post. yesterday i went out to the gorge to hike and spent the day climbing larch mountain. while i didn’t make it to the top i did hike a total of seventeen miles. the longest hike i have done for this challenge so far has been 5.3. so this is a step up. so we have an express bus that you can pay for and catch to take you to both multnomah falls and rooster rock state park on fridaym saturday, and sunday. i had less than a few hours of sleep, waking up at seven in the morning, in order to catch the first bus at 8:45a.

i had researched this hike and found it was a fourteen and a half mile hike, over 4,000 feet in elevation, and would take about nine hours. i only had nine hours until the last bus left multnomah falls. i had set a phone alarm to let me know when it was 1:45p because i would turn around at two regardless of where i was in order to get back to the bus on time. i went in with the notion it was difficult and challenging as everywhere i read said it was. i knew i was in for quite the hike.

the hike starts at multnomah falls, heading up towards the upper falls vewpoint. if you head there before turning onto the larch mountain #441 trail it will make the hike fourteen and a hald miles. i instead went straight for the trail. you pass by various waterfalls along multnomah creek and go under dutchman tunnel. you cross some footbridges and generally stay along the creek. it was not long after that i got turned around. my lack of a sense of direction had me read a sign wrong. instead of turning onto the larch mountain trail, where it continues, i accidentally went on multnomah basin road thinking it was the trail. i did have a nice conversation with another hiker though staying at a lodge nearby. the hike here was beautiful still. when i went past neska lodge and felt i was going the wrong way i went back and the people there were so sweet, i got directions and was even offered a cookie. by this point i had wasted close to two miles.

once i found my trail it was time for 4,000 feet ascent. the trail was somewhat muddy but i didn’t mind. the sun came out periodically and even when it wasn’t it was still beautiful. the recent rain made everything so vibrant. the incline is actually gradual, or at least it felt that way for me. some uphills are worse than others. partway through you cross a rock field which is actually an ancient shield volcano. some of the rocks are loose so you have to watch your footing. i was getting closer when i saw a sign saying i was four miles away. then another when i was 1.5 miles. that was a steeper incline. it was going up here that got to me more and caused me to turn around. during this climb my phone had died and it was closing in on two o'clock. i wish i could have taken a photograph as is was my favourite view of the hike. these low misty clouds were low and still in the trees. it was such a sight. it was taking me twice as long to hike half a mile than usual and when i had a mile to go i turned around.

i wish i made it to the top. i know that i would’ve wanted my phone to have charge to take photos. and to be honest, i could have made it. i know this because of how long it took me to go down. on the way down i mucked up again going ont he wrong trail. luckily it wasn’t for very long. on the way down i even went to the upper falls viewpoint for multonomah falls. but i got down in about half the time. i still had over an hour until the last bus. i went to the bathroom and then decided to head home. one of the bus workers said i did the right thing by coming down and that there was issues that day with busses running on time. in some regards i am glad i went home though. currently i am at my place, resting on my couch. i felt it in my legs when i got back, but i was a good feeling to know the workout i had. i also went to bed and slept for over ten hours. i needed it.

if my two year old self could high five it would. but i am sure all it could do to congratulate me is clap and giggle. even though i didn’t make it to the top, i know i can next time. and knowing that i made it down in the time that i did means i am able to do this. i also went through the hike knowing some parts were more strenuous but i found it more moderate than difficult. if i wasn’t sure before, i am for certain now, that hiking is in my nature even though it was nutured. for a novice hiker, this isn’t easy. but for someone who hikes you will either find this moderate as i did or challening, depending on your level of experience.

i know that i will be back here again and make it to the top. for long stretches of this hike you are alone. i find that to be the best. my learning disorder causes me to be over-focused, noticing everything. while that can be a challenge (specifically when i was in school), it was nice here. i heard the rushing creek water, the birds, the slighest of breezes, and even my own heartbeat. i had a water hydration backpack on with food in the pockets. i also had my rain jacket tied to the top of it just in case (and it was getting in the way being tied to my waste). i was well prepared. i had healthy and energising food all day. i came to terms with various things, including not making it to the top. this propels me forward and i am excited for the next hike and my move.

-n.

17 miles, elevation gain: 4,000 ft.

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i have been busy lately as i am moving this upcoming sunday and my mental health hasn’t been great, so i didn’t post about this hike when it happened. this past thursday i went out to washington park do a loop hike. if i had gotten up earlier i cold have connected it with the hoyt arboretum hike. i went out because later in the day i went to an REI class on hiking the pacific crest trail (pct). i don’t intend to hike it but do want to a do a thru-hike one day.

my sense of direction got the best of and i didn’t know where i was going. i was also unsure of where trail markers where. instead i just wandered on my own. i am actually glad i did because i found so much more. i wandered on the mac trail finding the international rose test garden, the zoo train tracks, where the park connects with forest park (and the wildwood trail), the archery range, and eventually getting up the road to the zoo where i took the light rail back into downtown.

it’s all these places i haven’t been to. i also ran into a teacher from the nonprofit i work with that i haven’t seen in a bit. but i am a creature of habit, and in a lot of ways complacent. i am ready to move and come back with a fresh new perspective. wandering got me to see more of the city, parts i knew about but never saw. i will definitely hike this area again when i return. next time with a better sense of direction.

-n.

4 miles, elevation gain: 550 ft.

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not hiking this week.

i have some deadlines at work to finish and am just tired, so i am not hiking this weekend. i am one over where i should be in terms of hiking once a week this year. i am possibly doing two more long or intense hikes this next weekend as well. i just know i need a bit of a break to rest not only my body but my mind. but i will be back with a hike on friday and then over next weekend if things work out (meaning i get to bed and wake up on time).

also yesterday was national trails day, state parks day, as well as the inaugural oregon outdoor recreation day. i did leave my house but unfortunately not into nature. i will soon.

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today we hiked again, this time staying on my side of the river climbing mt. tabor. as a hike i do often i thought he’d appreciate seeing the city from a different view. we climbed the green trail on the northern side to get to the top. the weather was the same sunshine and heat as yesterday. mt. hood was again visible, but yesterday we could see more snow on it. from our angle there were more shadows. we also had a different view of downtown and the rest of the city. we then made our way down using the blue trail on the southern side. i was glad we were able to hike again. if felt good.

-n.

1 .75 miles, elevation gain: 350 ft.