Cathedral Ridge via Mazama Trail, 082421

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Don Nelsen
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Cathedral Ridge via Mazama Trail, 082421

Post by Don Nelsen » August 26th, 2021, 7:28 pm

One of these days I’m going to start concentrating on all the trails and ridges I’ve not done on Mt. Hood. After this delightful hike yesterday (Aug 24th) I may ramp up the effort.

We got a decently early start, (10:55) considering this is almost two hours from home, but it’s a short hike so plenty of time to do it.

The short section of gravel road, 1811, is in fairly good shape with only a few sections of washboard and no potholes of any size. Any car could handle it with ease. Parking is a level area and enough room for at least a couple dozen cars if parked carefully.

The trail is in excellent shape for the first half but then fallen trees need to be climbed or stepped over, under and around for the next 1.1 miles – about thirty of them. Most are easy step-overs but a few are fairly big and require a work-around. Most of that section has been burned so lots of dead trees, from the Dollar Lake Fire, in 2011 according to info on Splintercat’s Mt. Hood page. Last year’s windstorm not only took down some dead trees, but took out a couple sections of healthy ones too, sadly. Once this section has been crossed, it’s clear hiking for most of the rest of the way to the timberline trail with only a couple exceptions. Huckleberries slowed our rate of ascent but that’s the price we pay for hiking this time of year.
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We did a short loop once at the timberline trail taking us to a couple of delightful shallow lakes. One was dry but the other had a bit of water still present and it provided a very scenic spot for a lunch break.
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Not a bug was seen all day

and we had the entire trail to ourselves except for a few folks we encountered on the very short section of timberline trail that we hiked.
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A perfect day, except for a little haze due to wildfires but not too bad.

7.7 miles out-and-back, 2,427’ EG which includes the few short re-climbs along the way.

Hike # 80.
Last edited by Don Nelsen on September 26th, 2021, 3:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller

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Chip Down
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Re: Cathedral Ridge via Mazama Trail, 082421

Post by Chip Down » August 26th, 2021, 10:19 pm

Don Nelsen wrote:
August 26th, 2021, 7:28 pm
We got a decently early start, (10:55)
Pretty sure you're taunting me.
Sorry, not taking the bait. :geek:

Rick
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Re: Cathedral Ridge via Mazama Trail, 082421

Post by Rick » August 27th, 2021, 9:55 am

That large tangle of green trees may remain for a long time, above my volunteer pay grade (easy bypass loop to the east at least). However, our goal is to clear the rest of the logs this weekend. I’ll post an update in Trails Rx next week!

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Don Nelsen
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Re: Cathedral Ridge via Mazama Trail, 082421

Post by Don Nelsen » August 27th, 2021, 7:50 pm

Chip Down wrote:
August 26th, 2021, 10:19 pm
Don Nelsen wrote:
August 26th, 2021, 7:28 pm
We got a decently early start, (10:55)
Pretty sure you're taunting me.
Sorry, not taking the bait. :geek:
Retirement is soooo nice! I highly recommend it.
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller

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Don Nelsen
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Re: Cathedral Ridge via Mazama Trail, 082421

Post by Don Nelsen » August 27th, 2021, 7:55 pm

Rick wrote:
August 27th, 2021, 9:55 am
That large tangle of green trees may remain for a long time, above my volunteer pay grade (easy bypass loop to the east at least). However, our goal is to clear the rest of the logs this weekend. I’ll post an update in Trails Rx next week!
Rick, thanks so much for your efforts to clear the trail. Yep, that big tangle is about 15 mostly big and dangerous logs. It's the biggest mess I think I've ever come across on a trail. The bypass is just fine anyway, so no need to risk it.

dn
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller

Rick
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Re: Cathedral Ridge via Mazama Trail, 082421

Post by Rick » August 30th, 2021, 8:50 pm

See last paragraph in Trail Rx -Mazama Trail: All clear.

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Don Nelsen
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Re: Cathedral Ridge via Mazama Trail, 082421

Post by Don Nelsen » September 1st, 2021, 7:44 pm

Rick wrote:
August 30th, 2021, 8:50 pm
See last paragraph in Trail Rx -Mazama Trail: All clear.
I don't see any info there. ?
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller

Aimless
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Re: Cathedral Ridge via Mazama Trail, 082421

Post by Aimless » September 2nd, 2021, 7:41 am

The original (first) post in that report was edited so now the final paragraph of that post reads:

"As of August 30, the trail is log free bottom to top minus the afore-mentioned tangle that is by passable. Tread, drains and brushing is 70% done and after 12 days on the trail this will likely remain that way. I think I have a trail Rx hangover. But it was fun working with a diverse group of newbies and seasoned veterans this year."

ChrisA
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Re: Cathedral Ridge via Mazama Trail, 082421

Post by ChrisA » September 26th, 2021, 1:42 pm

Thank you Don Nelsen for your trip report. We have also been trying to do trails we have not done before so this was very timely. We went on Friday, 9/24. All the trees have been cleared - thank you Rick! We got on the trail at about 11 am, and finished about 5 pm. Although there were no huckleberries, the fall colors were amazing.
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Lunch spot.

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gearchow
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Re: Cathedral Ridge via Mazama Trail, 082421

Post by gearchow » October 3rd, 2021, 8:27 am

I attempted the trail on June 21, 2021, but I only got 1/2 way up till the snow stopped me. It was a warm day and the snow was very punchy and not worth an ankle injury.
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At that time, the lower blowdown (live trees) were cleared.
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The upper blowdown - the long dead trees - were still across the trail. Are those sawed out now? There is a place in heaven for folks who remove trees off of trails.

Still, not a bad day and my goals are usually malleable - didn't get to McNeil Point, but saw a pretty flower or 2.
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-jim

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