Yocum to 7,000' 27-August-2014

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VanMarmot
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Yocum to 7,000' 27-August-2014

Post by VanMarmot » August 29th, 2014, 6:27 am

For whatever reason, getting to 7,000' on Yocum Ridge has been on my list for several years now. Usually I give it a try in late Spring, in hopes of making a fun snow climb out of it. But combinations of poor weather, poor snow, wrong gear, and sudden attacks of common sense (Wow, this sheet of ice-covered snow really is steep! And, look, there's no run-out!) have thwarted my efforts. While just going to the campsites is a great workout with amazing views, I yearned to go higher. So when Guy posted his excellent TR (here) of a recent hike to the top of the ridge, and with time to finish the list running out, I knew I had to just get on with it. So an early start from town,

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then over the logs currently substituting from the recently lost bridge,

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past the Falls (according to PH regulations, all hikes to Yocum Ridge must include a photo of the Falls ;) ),

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and on up to the campsites at 6,300',

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which looked like this in June.

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From there, it was an easy cruise up the snow-free boulder field to the upper part of the ridge, from where I could see at least three nice campsites (arrows) waiting for backpackers - two groups of which I'd pass on the way out.

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The upper ridge was an open field covered with grasses and a profusion of flowers - caught me by surprise but shouldn't have since it's a bit like a smaller version of Paradise Park to the S. Also a much less crowded version. Most of the flowers were still in good shape - only a few had started to turn the season.

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I headed up toward my designated highpoint (arrow),

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with its view of Adams.

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After lunch and a summit fly-by,

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I headed down the S side of the ridge on not-to-steep grass and flower covered slopes.

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This XC descent ended at 6,000' at a fork in the "official" trail (#771), which continues as a use trail from here up to the campsites.

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One last look at Hood and I started down. One more off the list, a few more to go, and then on to new adventures. 18 mi RT, 4700' EG.

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miah66
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Re: Yocum to 7,000' 27-August-2014

Post by miah66 » August 29th, 2014, 8:30 am

A goal of mine as well this year. Not sure if I'm gonna make it in time! Last week I FINALLY made it all the way to the McNeil Pt shelter after 7 years and multiple attempts. We have too many trails in Oregon & Washington and I have too little free time...I can't even get to all the popular ones! Awesome TR per usual.
"The top...is not the top" - Mile...Mile & a Half

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Splintercat
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Re: Yocum to 7,000' 27-August-2014

Post by Splintercat » August 29th, 2014, 5:35 pm

Whew! Eighteen miles and 4,700 vertical feet..? That's a 2-day trip for me, Van! I'm impressed by your buffness! Not to mention taking great photos along the way..! :) As always, great report and photography. Absolutely beautiful captures of some lesser-visited beauty spots -- and yet another reminder that Mount Hood IS truly special..!

Tom :)

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VanMarmot
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Re: Yocum to 7,000' 27-August-2014

Post by VanMarmot » August 30th, 2014, 6:11 am

Splintercat wrote:Whew! Eighteen miles and 4,700 vertical feet..? That's a 2-day trip for me, Van! I'm impressed by your buffness! Not to mention taking great photos along the way..! :) As always, great report and photography. Absolutely beautiful captures of some lesser-visited beauty spots -- and yet another reminder that Mount Hood IS truly special..!

Tom :)
Thanks Tom! And thanks for the "buffness" but I believe I left that behind a few years back (or it went to be with all those missing socks :? ). Now I'm just too old to stop moving lest gravity finally get the upper hand.

And, yes, Hood is special...

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VanMarmot
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Re: Yocum to 7,000' 27-August-2014

Post by VanMarmot » August 30th, 2014, 6:27 am

miah66 wrote:A goal of mine as well this year. Not sure if I'm gonna make it in time! Last week I FINALLY made it all the way to the McNeil Pt shelter after 7 years and multiple attempts. We have too many trails in Oregon & Washington and I have too little free time...I can't even get to all the popular ones! Awesome TR per usual.
Thanks! And, yes, too little free time. :cry: This was the summer that my corporate masters decided it would be good if I earned all kinds of frequent flyer miles rather than cut into profits by going hiking. I tried to explain that hiking was sorta' like golf - but without the clubs - but to no avail.

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sprengers4jc
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Re: Yocum to 7,000' 27-August-2014

Post by sprengers4jc » August 31st, 2014, 12:06 pm

Wow! Great pics as usual, VanMarmot. Thanks for sharing your special places with us.
'We travel not to escape life but for life to not escape us.'
-Unknown

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