Oregon Hikers

Took advantage of a break in the weather, work, and family responsibilities to grab a quick out & back hike up Kings. Hadn't been able to hit the trail since we got back from Death Valley. Trail is in good condition - a few minor blowdowns. Snow started at about 2200',



and deepened as I approached the summit. Between the picnic table and the summit it got to 2' or so in places but was (of course) well tracked.



Busy day on the trail - two Mazamas basic school groups (well equipped) and numerous "tourists" in tennis shoes, cotton, no water, gloves, etc. I would guess only the Mazamas made it to the summit.



Mercifully the weather held off doing anything more than cloud-up - at least until I got back to the car. Only 5 mi and 2800' but it felt great to finally get back on the trail.

I also went up kings today and must have been one of those tourists you're talking about as I wasnt with the elitists(mazamas). but i was first at the picnic table for breakfast after walking through fresh snow and rabbit tracks the whole way. after about 30 minutes I watched the first group of mazamas who went to the top, and then exemplified some of the worst trail etiquette ive ever seen by hogging and blocking the space by the summit box so I couldn't even get by to further use the trail and head toward elk. i guess they thought i could fly.

heres the king

I was also in the area watching the Mazama group from Kings getting ready waiting to use the restroom. I did Elk to DM again....testing the Merrells this time


You guys were up there some where

Thum wrote:I also went up kings today and must have been one of those tourists you're talking about as I wasnt with the elitists(mazamas).

I didn't mean for "tourist" to be derogatory - I was just offering a (perhaps ill considered) description of folks who (to me) seemed a little under-prepared for the weather and trail conditions - even on a well-trod trail like Kings. I ran into most of these folks on the way down, close to the TH, so maybe they never got far enough up for it to be a problem. I know everyone has to make their own call about how they hike but I still worry some.

Went up yesterday for a small conditioner with my dog and saw the same guy I saw 2 weeks
ago on my way up to Nesmith PT. Only saw another couple on the way down, super quiet
crowd wise...

You slipped by me again! I was on the Wilson river trail again. I did see 2 women going up Kings but other than that, no one on the trail.

Looks like you both slipped by me since I was there too but
didn't hit the trail until about 1:15 PM so it sounds like by the
time I got there you two were already gone. On the way up I
saw a total of 5 people in 3 different groups(two women, one
guy and one guy/gal pair who looked like they were brother and
sister but who knows) and one couple on the way down when I
was almost all the way down to the trailhead who were actually
running (right where all those downed trees right in the middle of
the trail)

I was surprised to see the rain turn to snow around the 2700/2800
foot range. I was expecting to see rain the whole time. Seeing snow
was a pleasant surprise. I love hiking when its snowing so long as its
not blizzard/whiteout conditions.