Opening pic:
Photo by Water
Gather round kiddos! It's time for a mid-week trip report to chase away those rainy Weds blues. OH hikers miah66 and Water, along w/ buddy Dan laced em up to venture into the (possible) probable snow on Mt Hood last Sunday. We picked a low elevation hike as freezing levels were supposed to be pretty low, and we decided on the Pioneer Bridle Trail as an exploration, as we had never been on it before. We parked at 10am at the pullout on the N side of Hwy 26 at mile marker 48/Kiwanis Camp Rd.
Here we go:
mis compañeros:
The woods had a light dusting of snow, which was a welcome sight.
Photo by Water
As we climbed on the route of the old Oregon Trail, the dusting turned to a bit of accumulation on the trees, though the floor remained wet and mostly clear.
I just loved the open forest character of the wide old trail here.
Some pioneer left this out here for some unknown reason:
Those crazy pioneers, always chucking off unnecessary items along the way.
A.J. McCall, an early traveler on the Oregon Trail, made light of how some pioneers tried to "take it all." He wrote: "They laid in and over supply of bacon, flour and beans, and in addition thereto every conceivable jimcrack and useless article that the widest fancy could devise or human ingenuity could invent – pins and needles, brooms and brushes, ox shoes and horse shoes, lasts and leather, glass beads beads and hawks-bells, jumping jacks and jews-harps, rings and bracelets, pocket mirrors and pocket-books, calico vests and boiled shirts." Link.
Sounds like me on a backpacking trip! An old mineshaft is fenced off.
Anyone know anything about this thing? I kept joking that it was probably Sam Barlow's mine, the genesis for the original road! When he didn't strike it rich, he mined the pioneers pockets instead.
An old wall along the trail:
Just prior to a tunnel under an abandoned highway section.
Cool finding these features out here abandoned.
We took a detour after the tunnel to the Zig Zag falls TH at an old quarry, where I really loved this golden snowy tree, and the little guys clinging to the rock face.
We hiked out to see the falls, and the creek was flowing nicely.
https://youtu.be/CJIyKszVTs4
Inviting, no?
Photo by Water
The falls:
Water took the opportunity to do some beer photography...and I always seem to take pics of him doing it, much to his chagrin.
@mountainbrewski on instagram...follow him!
A secret picnic table, a lovely spot for a summer picnic!
Then it was back to the old highway to return to the trail. Awesome foliage and snow.
Snow was getting deeper up here as we neared Gov't Camp
Finally we got to Enid Lake. I hear there is a great view of Hood here when it's clear.
We decided to follow the ski trail in a loop around the lake and return the way we came. The snow continued to fall intermittently, but at times it was quite heavy.
Here we are following the abandoned highway again back towards the Bridle Trail.
We took a side detour, intending to cross Hwy 26, go down the old abandoned highway to the famous Laurel Hill "chute". However, it became clear that we would need to backtrack uphill a bit, and crossing the highway here was not a good idea, especially in this weather. So we dropped off the highway cut and veered back into the woods and rejoined the Bridle Trail.
Photo by Water
Then it was back to the tunnel as the snow peppered us.
The way we had come in had gained some snow now. I think about 1 1/2" fell throughout the day while we were there.
Photo by Water
We took the opportunity to build a snow man/bear while Water did his thing.
It was an awesome day being out in the snow after such a long time without. I really enjoyed wearing my softshell jacket and pants, for what feels like the first time. I was comfortable all day. Temps were at or below freezing all day.
GPS Track:
http://gpsfly.org/g/5119
Thanks Dan, Water! Only a few more days until the weekend...and more hiking!
I'd like to follow in your footsteps up there someday.