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Table Mtn 29-Nov-2011

Posted: November 29th, 2011, 7:21 pm
by VanMarmot
I start a new job in mid-December (so no more days off mid-week for bluebird weather :( ) but my old job graciously allowed me to use up some of the vacation time for which I would not otherwise get compensated (after 15 years, I guess they felt they owed me a little something). Using these unexpected days off for hiking seemed like a great idea, particularly since the weather is being unusually cooperative for Nov/Dec. Today’s effort was Table Mountain from Bonneville Hot Springs. Outside of Portland, the skies were clear and blue early on.

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But by the time I’d gotten half way up Table’s east ridge, clouds were pushing up against the summit,

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and infiltrating the valleys below. Hood was sporting quite a lenticular cloud.

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From the PCT, I went up the Heartbreak trail to the saddle at 2600', then went straight up from there toward the summit, hugging the E edge of Table’s upper slopes. This gave me a lot more views then I would have gotten wandering through the forest and schlepping up the boulder field on the “new” trail. From the top of Table, I could see Hood to the S,

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Wind, Dog, Augspurger, and Defiance to the E, and,

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to the W, Hamilton with a garland of low clouds and, in the distance, Portland under a blanket of clouds that topped out at about 2000’.

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There was a little snow on part of the top – and a lot more on Table’s N side, but none on any of the trails on the S side. I descended the W ridge to the PCT and back into the valley clouds – which provided some eerie moments down in the trees.

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This hike wasn’t just about big views – I found this little 1” long fern growing in the rock pile where the W ridge trail joins the PCT.

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Then it was back to the TH, my car, and home. Classic Gorge hike, pretty nice day. :) 8 mi RT, 3400’ EG.

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Re: Table Mtn 29-Nov-2011

Posted: November 29th, 2011, 8:03 pm
by Eric Peterson
Van Marmot Tuesday strikes again!! :)

Congrats on the new job.

Re: Table Mtn 29-Nov-2011

Posted: November 29th, 2011, 8:08 pm
by weathercrazy
Wow that third picture down is awesome! Great combo of the lenticular cloud, the cliffs and the low clouds. Apparently I should have went hiking today...but alas I had to work!

I am taking some extra time off next week so hopefully I can take advantage of the nice weather!

Re: Table Mtn 29-Nov-2011

Posted: November 29th, 2011, 11:20 pm
by AlexanderSupertramp
Egads man! Good luck on the new job. But in the meantime, those are some of the best pics I can remember. Well done!

Re: Table Mtn 29-Nov-2011

Posted: November 30th, 2011, 7:18 am
by VanMarmot
Eric Peterson wrote:Van Marmot Tuesday strikes again!! :)

Congrats on the new job.

Thanks! But I am going to miss those Tuesdays...

Re: Table Mtn 29-Nov-2011

Posted: November 30th, 2011, 10:43 am
by Peder
Bruce - congratulations on the new job! That you will no longer be hiking on week days will probably amount to some form of local climate change: There will no longer be VanMarmot bluebird skies on weekdays! Hopefully we can do some more car2car hikes in the future. You pictures are superb and make me wish that I was not sitting at a desk working.

Re: Table Mtn 29-Nov-2011

Posted: December 2nd, 2011, 3:06 am
by Roy
The photo of the woods is really nice Your trs always have a certain grace or touch of class to.them after being broken for three months i appreciate there return..


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Re: Table Mtn 29-Nov-2011

Posted: December 2nd, 2011, 2:57 pm
by EricN
Those pics are amazing! I need to get out again.

Re: Table Mtn 29-Nov-2011

Posted: December 2nd, 2011, 9:58 pm
by chameleon
Stunning pics. The one looking up misty canyons to Hood with a lenticular is epic. That image is inspiring!

Re: Table Mtn 29-Nov-2011

Posted: December 3rd, 2011, 11:06 am
by Splintercat
Ditto on the pics, Van -- BTW, No. 3 is a terrific B/W conversion candidate (I sneaked a peak, and it looks great). Print it and frame it!

Tom :)