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Owl Point/Vista Ridge Trail Project - July 21 Pics!

Posted by Splintercat (2007-07-22)

This week's rainy weather gave an unexpected opportunity to do a bit more chainsaw work on the Vista Ridge Trail to Owl Point -- the lost trail on the north side of Mount Hood. My father-in-law Al was again my logging partner, and we both noticed that our progress on the earlier trips makes for a longer hike in to the next batch of logs!

The word for today was "misty", as in low clouds blowing through the trees, and a LOT of dew on the brush. We were soaked by day's end, and as mentioned on the Field Guide description, this is a hike best done when it's very dry - unless you like wet! As it turns out, wet is good for chainsaw work, since the fire danger was zip.

Today's work began high on the Vista Ridge trail, above the Clear Branch valley - Katsuk Point is just visible through the mist in this view from the trail:

Here's a "before and after" view of one of the log piles located about halfway to Owl Point - the second image is a bit murky, thanks to the camera (and me!) being soaked:

Today's work was heavily focused on the two "very brushy" sections that are the only portions of the trail that are bit rough to push through, thanks to 20 years of mountain ash and false azalea growth. This is a very wet passage in rain or if there's a fog dew on the foliage - much less fun than on a dry day! Here's Al working on one of the many logs we cleared along this section of trail:

A bit further along, we can to another messy log pile - this one made worse courtesy of the November storms. Here's a before and after shot:

Here's Al trying out a nifty seat cut into one of the logs... and yet another log waiting to be cleared..!

We finally ran out of steam after clearing along the backside of Vista Ridge, where the trail traverses a steep slope, and where some equally steep logs made this section a bit challenging for hikers to get through. We've got more work to do on the remaining 1/2 mile of trail, especially on either side of the little meadow below The Rockpile. But at his point, I would guess that we'll be able to clear that section of logs in one final day of sawing.

We cleared 52 logs today, bringing our grand total for the first 1.5 miles of trail to 137 logs! That's a lot more than I counted when I scouted the trail last Fall, partly due to "invisible" logs buried in the big piles and quite a bit of new downfall from last Winter. I'm guessing there are another 40 logs en route to Owl Point, but they are mostly fairly easy to navigate - in case you decide to hike up there before we clear them.

I'll be setting up a clipper trip soon - on a sunny, dry day! The entire trail could eventually use a huckleberry haircut, but most sections are pretty manageable, even with the huckleberrys crowding the trail. However, the roughly 1/2 mile of "very brushy" trail that we covered today really needs a more intensive clearing that I think a crew of 6-8 people could do in one day with the aid of loppers and clippers. Once this section is brushed out, the hike will be very reasonable for most hikers, even with a few logs left. The view at the end is certainly worth it!

On the way out tonight, we watched a HUGE lenticular cloud form to the northeast of Mount Hood - I didn't have my good camera along (ack!), but did capture this shot from Lolo Pass Road:

Rather spooky - but also beautiful!

Watch this space for more details on a clipper hike - and remember, I am not above bribery for a few good volunteers..!

Tom :-)

Re: Owl Point/Vista Ridge Trail Project - July 21 Pics!

Posted by pdxgene (2007-07-22)

What s the general condition of Road 1650? Can a small car still make it up there to the Vista Ridge trailhead fairly easily?

Have you tried the shortcut going straight on (gated but open) Lolo Pass Rd instead of McGee Creek Rd going over the pass? And if so, how is that one?

Thanx!

Re: Owl Point/Vista Ridge Trail Project - July 21 Pics!

Posted by Waffle Stomper (2007-07-22)

Wow, what a lot of work. I can tell you love it out there.

Thank You!

Re: Owl Point/Vista Ridge Trail Project - July 21 Pics!

Posted by hambone (2007-07-23)

Great pix and great work!!!! Nothing is more pointless and fruitful than saving an old trail from oblivion. I'm partial to the Hambone Springs area, spent the weekend working on an abandoned trail out of the camp. No machinery, just chopping and muscle, but it sure makes a difference. Especially after a few visits over time. Hopefully we can be a part of a culture shift, away from the views that allowed all these trails to be abandoned or clearcut to begin with...

Re: Owl Point/Vista Ridge Trail Project - July 21 Pics!

Posted by baker9903 (2007-07-25)

Thanks for the great photos and work on the trail! It looks wonderful. I am thinking about a weekend backpack starting from Vista Ridge sometime. I was wondering if you noticed any campsites within a couple miles of the trailhead (in either direction)? We'll be starting later in the evening.

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