Oregon Hikers

Nix the off trail idea to get to Minnie Peak. Apparently no off trail travel is allowed there even in the winter. Heads up that dogs are not allowed either on that north side of the monument (fyi).

Yeah, I'd love to go exploring up there. Seems like a natural way to get to/from Minnie Peak, too. Looking at the topo map it appears you could still skirt along the edge of the monument boundary to catch the ridge to Minnie Peak. Perhaps with no snow that wouldn't be practical with whatever ground...

kepPNW wrote: Sadly, that's private (timber company) land.

Bummer on Fawn Lake! I didn't see any pictures of MSH in your linked pictures. Are they pretty much blocked by the ridge and neighboring Johnston Ridge to the south?

Would the logging equipment be largely covered by snow right now? It looks like South Coldwater largely heads up the ridge. http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=46.29017,-122.24535&z=14&t=T&marker0=45.53789%2C-121.56841%2Cmt%20hood%5C%2C%20or&marker1=33.41518%2C-111.83147%2Cmesa%5C%2C%20az&marker2=45.52289%2C...

I'm thinking about driving to the end of Spirit Lake highway(504) to where it's closed by Coldwater Lake. Does anyone know if any type of Sno-Park permit is required. Are there some reasonable goals to snowshoe to from the parking area?

If chains are being required for highway travel does that translate to snow tires for all wheel drive vehicles, or what do most people do in this case?

Do you know if the two tarns are melted out up by the PCT (below McNeil Point)?

How friendly or unfriendly is Ruckel Ridge for dogs? Thanks!

Okay, good news. I didn't realize you can just buy the pass online and print it out for the day.

romann wrote:There's ranger residence/station at Beacon Rock, they are often checking cars at trailhead and also sell the passes. And I recall ranger's house at Horsethief State Park just below SR-14...

There is a self pay station at the ranger's house at Horsethief then, or knock at the door there and ask?