Yocum Ridge in February?

Trip recommendations, current conditions, and other trail related Q&A
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Kerraeb
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Yocum Ridge in February?

Post by Kerraeb » February 16th, 2018, 11:08 am

Thoughts?

I want to try winter camping. Just one night to start. I have all of the gear (including snowshoes).

I want to hike 8-10 miles in then out the next day.

I want to be within a couple of hours of Portland.

Any other ideas if Yocum is a bad choice?
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retired jerry
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Re: Yocum Ridge in February?

Post by retired jerry » February 16th, 2018, 12:06 pm

There have been trip reports of people doing this in prior years

There's low snow right now so this might be an opportunity

It's kind of a long trip, maybe it would be better to do something on the Zigzag ridge. Like Burnt Lake or Cast Creek trail up to East Zigzag. Somebody did that recently.

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Guy
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Re: Yocum Ridge in February?

Post by Guy » February 16th, 2018, 12:31 pm

Kerraeb wrote:Thoughts?

I want to try winter camping. Just one night to start. I have all of the gear (including snowshoes).

I want to hike 8-10 miles in then out the next day.

I want to be within a couple of hours of Portland.

Any other ideas if Yocum is a bad choice?
Since you will have to start at the gated sandy bridge it's going to be 7 miles just to get to Ramona Falls. If it's your first winter camping trip something a little easier might be good.
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Kerraeb
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Re: Yocum Ridge in February?

Post by Kerraeb » February 16th, 2018, 12:38 pm

If this snow continues, I can snow camp at Ramona! I've hiked and camped there before.

I was also thinking about going west on the PCT a ways, just to go somewhere different.
(Leaving from the Ramona Falls trailhead.)
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retired jerry
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Re: Yocum Ridge in February?

Post by retired jerry » February 16th, 2018, 12:47 pm

according to http://adamschneider.net/hiking/snow_depth.html there would be snow all the way

8-10 miles of snowshoeing is a lot more difficult than 8-10 miles of hiking

You could park at the closed gate at the Sandy, then be flexible. Maybe go to Ramona Falls or just stay on the South side of the Sandy River. Or go up Cast Creek trail.

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Kerraeb
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Re: Yocum Ridge in February?

Post by Kerraeb » February 16th, 2018, 12:55 pm

Just looked up Cast Creek. That looks great!

I'm hoping not to need snowshoes the whole way. We'll see how conditions continue.

I can easily hike 12-15 miles a day with up to moderate elevation gain. A little more on flatter terrain.
Cast Creek could be a great way to get some distance in with that jaunt to the lake but not be too crazy if it wipes me out.

If I find an experienced person to go with me, I might push the envelope more. If I'm soloing, I'll be conservative. (And bring my DeLorme either way!)

Thanks!
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Kerraeb
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Re: Yocum Ridge in February?

Post by Kerraeb » February 16th, 2018, 1:08 pm

The Cast Creek write up states that there is a gate that is closed in winter. It's difficult to tell how far that is from the trailhead.

Does anyone know?
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retired jerry
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Re: Yocum Ridge in February?

Post by retired jerry » February 16th, 2018, 1:25 pm

There's a gate, currently closed, where the road crosses the Sandy River

Then it's about 1/2 mile to the Cast Creek trailhead. There's a currently closed gate to Riley Horse Camp which is the trailhead for Cast Creek.

The Cast Creek trail basically just goes up that ridge until it get's to the Zigzag Ridge. Few obstacles. No streams. The trail will probably be covered by snow and difficult to follow, but you can just head up the ridge on any route. Make sure and keep track of where you came from so you can get back.

gps track that includes cast creek
1trackswestmthood.gpx
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