This hike ended up being more than I expected/wanted but what the hay, I did it anyway. I hiked from dawn to dusk and did 27 miles. I started from the
Herman Creek Campground and set off with the intention of hiking the
Herman Creek
trail to Tomlike Mt. After passing the Nick Eaton Ridge
trail junction I came across these animal bones on the
trail.
Not sure what it is.
While passing through the Cedar Swamp area I came across this huge tree across the
trail. Luckily there was a stump next to it that I could walk up like a ladder to get over this.
Just before the
trail junction to head up Tomlike Mt. the snow showed up.
This definitely slows your progress.
A little help from my GPS and my destination was in sight!
It's a lot steeper in person than the way it appears in pictures.
Here's a view looking back from the top.
It was interesting to sit and watch the clouds blow by at eye level. Sometimes one would form up right in front of me.
I debated whether to head over to Chinidere Mt. There seemed to be enough time so I hiked back down into the snow covered forest and headed in the direction of Chinidere.
I had to spend extra time wandering around route finding with my GPS. Eventually I made it to the top of Chinidere Mt. Sadly the weather had completely socked in any views up here.
So I went back down and took the
Pacific Crest Trail back in the direction of
Herman Creek to make a big loop out of it.
Some areas had a lot of blow down next to the
trail.
Looking over to my right I could see the Nick Eaton Ridge. A hole in the clouds let the sun shine down like a spotlight on the top.
Soon I reached the Benson Plateau. This place is kinda creepy, more so when the clouds roll in.
Here's and interesting shelter that someone built.
Coming down the switchbacks into
Herman Creek I came across this view of Cascade Locks in the setting sun.
Almost back to my car. Just have to cross
Herman Creek
bridge.
It was nearly dark when I got back. Any later and I would have to don my headlamp to see. Quite a long day. It's amazing the changes in scenery as I moved from place to place along the
trail. Even the weather can drastically change the mood of a hike which it did today. Sometimes sunny, or cloudy and drizzling, or breezy and cold, or fogged in, or completely silent except for the crunching of snow under your feet.
