Inside the Gray Jay & Hardy Ridge 09-Dec-2012
Posted: December 9th, 2012, 6:08 pm
Work, business travel, holiday, more work, bad weather, more travel, etc., etc. ate a month of hiking opportunities. There was no hope for bluebird weather today, but the false prophets of the weather offered "only showers" and even sunbreaks, so I went for it. Also wanted to test my new "weather resistant" Pentax K-30. Turned out to be a gray jay kinda day - only it was sufficiently damp and gloomy to make me think I was hiking inside the jay. Plenty of weather for the camera to resist. The original plan was for Hamilton (to further amortize my Discovery Pass) and there was even some parting of the mists as I parked at the TH. But by the powerlines, the mists had gathered and closed for the day. Rodney Falls was doing good work,
mushrooms were still sprouting,
leaves were damp,
and Hardy Creek was rushing.
I decided to divert to Hardy Ridge in hopes that this would give the weather time to reconsider and clear just a bit (please!). The mighty horse bridge across Hardy Ck has always been a perspective favorite.
It wasn't actually raining as I climbed toward Hardy Ridge, but the mist condensing in the trees simulated rain and, higher up, a melting recent light snowfall only added to the moistening. The ridge crest can provide some excellent views of the Gorge and Hood, but not today. Just the eternal mists,
a snowy ridge,
and 3" of new snow were on offer.
I started toward Phlox Point, but wet vegetation and the non-view quickly convinced me to bail. I went down the W side trail, then took the road toward the equestrian TH. At the big dogleg bend at about 1000', I headed XC downhill to the campground's water tank. This is an easy 0.3 mi connector that lets you make Hardy or Hamilton/Hardy into a true loop. Only the last 300' are tricky - the tank sits at the bottom of a steep, slippery ravine and is guarded by blackberry vines. Not a great day but a decent hike (9.8 mi RT, 2400' EG) and a good test of the new camera (like it!).
mushrooms were still sprouting,
leaves were damp,
and Hardy Creek was rushing.
I decided to divert to Hardy Ridge in hopes that this would give the weather time to reconsider and clear just a bit (please!). The mighty horse bridge across Hardy Ck has always been a perspective favorite.
It wasn't actually raining as I climbed toward Hardy Ridge, but the mist condensing in the trees simulated rain and, higher up, a melting recent light snowfall only added to the moistening. The ridge crest can provide some excellent views of the Gorge and Hood, but not today. Just the eternal mists,
a snowy ridge,
and 3" of new snow were on offer.
I started toward Phlox Point, but wet vegetation and the non-view quickly convinced me to bail. I went down the W side trail, then took the road toward the equestrian TH. At the big dogleg bend at about 1000', I headed XC downhill to the campground's water tank. This is an easy 0.3 mi connector that lets you make Hardy or Hamilton/Hardy into a true loop. Only the last 300' are tricky - the tank sits at the bottom of a steep, slippery ravine and is guarded by blackberry vines. Not a great day but a decent hike (9.8 mi RT, 2400' EG) and a good test of the new camera (like it!).
I like your pics, especially the B/W ones