(sorry if this shows up twice, had some trouble with computer)
_______________________________________________
Posted By: pdxgene in Organize and Invite! (Upcoming Hikes)
Subject: Re: Elk Meadows hike thursday
________________________________
the report will be up a bit later but the creek crossing is a breeze. there's some pics over on the yahoo site. i'll try to see if i can get them over here a bit later. Jane has 'volunteered' for the trip report writing duties.. it'll definitely be a more scenic in a few more weeks when beargrass and flowers line the trail in bloom. the person working the MtHood Info Center said there'd be too much snow and she had not heard of anyone making it up there yet. now that's a challenge if i ever heard one.... making it in was easy....
_________________________________
Elk Meadows hike report 6-22-06
(Hike #18 in Geralds "60 hikes within 60 miles of Portland" )
yes, getting "in" was easy.....
Gene and I met up in Sandy around 9a.m. Thursday morning to carpool, a little dubious with dark clouds at that time. Headed up Hwy.26, and had blue skies and sun by the time we got to Gov. Camp, continued on 35 north to trailhead, geared-up and on we went. Crossed the creeks with care, but weren't as challenging as we thought they might be. Some pieces of logs someone had put at Newton Creek helped!
We were somewhat worried seeing many patches of snow going up, then ran into almost a solid snow blanket (I sunk to knee level if wasn't careful) after the steep switchbacks, about a half mile before the meadow.
We checked map, continued fairly straight ahead (dealing with much blowdown too), and found an opening to the beautiful meadow (at about 5040' elev.). It was completley framed with snow, we tried to stay on the perimeter mostly, and finally got to the little wood shelter. We saw one other person hiking and relaxing in the area also.
After a leisurely lunch and mountain gawking, we attempted to leave the meadow. Well, even with a couple bright tree-tie markers we left on our way, maps, compass, and perfect weather conditions - we got disoriented, uncertain, confounded, perplexed, mixed-up- yep, kinda LOST. The snow was our Nemesis indeed.
We'd find our tracks then lose them, find a trail then lose it. We kept our wits and never ventured more than 20 minutes of a questionable direction, either returning to the meadow and trying again, or a cleared section of trail (we went up Gnarl Ridge for a ways attempting that way out to then loop down, but soon it was buried in snow too) but finally found our way.
We realized our major mistake was not clearly marking the "exact" spot we entered the meadow area. And, not utilizing our maps and compass readings more efficiently with the snow and blowdown covering so many acres. Note to self: boning up on those skills!! (how'd that other hiker found his way, we didn't know.)
It was a seven hour day, guessing we put in around 8-10 miles with all the extra traversing. The cold Cokes Gene had brought in his cooler were heartily welcomed, and except for our above mentioned unfortune, a great day of hiking and enjoying the truly beautiful area!
With the abundance of snow at the top, might be smarter to try in a few weeks or so
Thanks, Jane
| 
