Was in Bend on business Thursday - beautiful weather - but no time for hiking. Another TDY trip this weekend, but then the weather wasn't going to be too good anyway. Couldn't face more flight time without a hike first. What to do? Obviously set my laptop on "telecommute autopilot" and sneak out for a quick hike of Dog on Friday morning. I left Portland under cloudy skies,
went through a rain squall in the Gorge but found the Dog Mtn TH almost dry and curiously wind-free. Mine was also the only car in the lot. Climbing up, I gazed longingly at Defiance, with its promise of a snowshoe hike real soon.
There was no rain of any consequence on the ascent and the summit, while laboring under overcast, was not socked-in,
so as to allow an OK, if only lackluster, view of the Gorge,
and a luminous close-up view of Defiance.
On the way down, it occurred to me that "Augspurger" (the official USGS name) must be one of the most mis-spelled names in the Gorge.
The weather remained gloomy but dry on the way down, where I passed two folks ascending. Two folks on the trail and two extra cars at the TH - late Fall "crowds" on Dog. Good, totally non-Looney, leg stretch on an old favorite (6 mi RT, 2800' EG).
Dogged by the Weather 26-Oct-2012
Re: Dogged by the Weather 26-Oct-2012
Looks like your blue biird streak finallly changed. Nice tr and a favorite winter hike of mlne.
The downhill of the mind is harder than the uphill of the body. - Yuichiro Miura
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Re: Dogged by the Weather 26-Oct-2012
Yes, I think you finally had a Gray Jay day, Van..! Very moody, indeed... but kinda nice, actually. I'm ready for the new season.
-Tom
Yes, I think you're right... though probably second to poor Wahtum Lake...On the way down, it occurred to me that "Augspurger" (the official USGS name) must be one of the most mis-spelled names in the Gorge.
-Tom
Re: Dogged by the Weather 26-Oct-2012
Bluebird in summer, white ptarmigan in winter. Looking forward to doing Dog again after it snows...Roy wrote:Looks like your blue biird streak finallly changed. Nice tr and a favorite winter hike of mlne.