Oregon Hikers

This is a few days old now, but the flowers should still be amazing out there. Balsamroot was just getting past prime, but still amazing, and lupine was just approaching prime. A few of the latter weren't even open yet.

We started at the I-84 rest area, west west, went up both Marsh Hill and Chatfield Hill. That's pretty much where the established (though unofficial) trail ends. We followed another track east, trying to follow some old map (by Klindt Vielbig, we think). We crossed Marsh Cutoff Road, made our way to "Lone Pine Hill," then went north, trying again to follow the loop indicated on the map.

Just at the top of the hill, east of the rest area, we lost it, and wound up walking back along the old highway to the Memaloose Viewpoint, which is also a trailhead option. Then we backtracked our original route. The last part was a slight bummer, walking on concrete in 80-degree weather, but the day was fantastic. Here are a few pictures.

Thanks to Jane for coming along! I also did a blog post at http://paulgerald.com/portland-hikes/me ... ver-gorge/, with more pictures and details on the route.

This is a great little hike, still largely unknown, and right now is prime flower time!

First viewpoint above the rest area: Jane looking around from the viewpoint: Trail above the old highway: Marsh Hill: Chatfield Hill: Jane headed into the grasslands after lunch at "Lone Pine Hill" And a video I shot from lunch. Thanks to Karl for telling me how to include this.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/a2oK86wZuLM

OneSpeed wrote:And a video I shot from lunch. Anybody know how to embed these? Can we even do it?
https://www.youtube.com/embed/a2oK86wZuLM

Just put those [video] tags around the URL.

That's a great hike, Paul! My wife and I did it a few weeks ago, we were able to blaze our own trail there and do the full circle, but it did involve some bushwhacking. Pretty sure the Poison Oak would make that hard now. Did you stop by the McClure Homestead? It's right off the old highway below Lone Pine Hill on the right.



Here is my track:

http://gpsfly.org/g/4177

miah66 wrote:That's a great hike, Paul! My wife and I did it a few weeks ago, we were able to blaze our own trail there and do the full circle, but it did involve some bushwhacking. Pretty sure the Poison Oak would make that hard now. Did you stop by the McClure Homestead? It's right off the old highway below Lone Pine Hill on the right.

I didn't find the McClure place that day, but when I went back yesterday to complete the loop -- by king east and up from the rest area -- I did find it. I wasn't able to find a waterfall that I recall from years ago, but I now think it's a little northeast of the homestead. I will look for it next week.

kepPNW wrote:

OneSpeed wrote:And a video I shot from lunch. Anybody know how to embed these? Can we even do it?
https://www.youtube.com/embed/a2oK86wZuLM

Just put those [video] tags around the URL.

Thanks! Worked like a charm ...