(A very) Sunny Day on McNeil Ridge - 06/30/13.
(A very) Sunny Day on McNeil Ridge - 06/30/13.
Opening pic
The only hike that Chiyoko & I do at the same time every year is our pilgrimage up McNeil Ridge, either the weekend before or the weekend after the July 4th holiday. Along for the hike with us this year were Kazuko, Mana, Shelly, Eriko, Pascal & Ian.
We arrived at about 9:30 to an already overflowing Top Spur Trailhead, mostly due to the fact that this was the trailhead being used by the search & rescue teams for the recovery of the climber Kinley Adams who's body had been found at the head wall of the Sandy Glacier on Saturday.
It's been quite a few years since the trail has been this snow free this early in the year. We took our usual route heading around Bald Mountain first for some early views!
The Avalanche Lilies were in their full resplendent glory!
We were in for a treat when we reached the open meadows on the ridge as the Bear Grass show was better than it has been for many years.
We took the scramble trail up the the shelter. The Hot Sunny weather made it seem like a bit more of a slog than it usually is!
After a break at the shelter we trudged on up the remaining 1000' to the end of the use trail that goes up the ridge line. There we met fellow Portland Hiker Spitfire who was watching the recovery operation out on the Sandy Glacier. Though we didn't know it at the time we had passed & chatted to Mr. Spitfire coming up the scramble trail to the shelter!
The weather was a tad better than it was on the same day in 2012!
McNeil Ridge June 30th 2012.
We returned to just above the shelter area for lunch.
For the past few years there has been too much snow on the trail for us to want to make a loop out of the hike & return by way of the official McNeil trail but not this year!
We were soon back down on the snow covered but easy to travel Timberline trail.
The Ponds were even starting to melt out!
After crossing McGee Creek we closed the loop & found ourselves back at the Bear Grass Meadows on the Ridge where Yocum Falls was now in Sunlight.
And the Bear Grass looked even better than it had in the morning!
Weather wise it was a spectacular day & it was great to be up on the mountain again for the Summer season. Just shy of 10 miles & 3300' of EG.
A few more pics of the day here.
About the recovery operation of climber Kinley Adams' body:
So we ran into several of the search & rescue teams yesterday involved in various parts of the recovery operation. I also took some photos of the recovery operation out on the Sandy Glacier but decided to to include them as part of this report. If you would like to see them though you can find them here.
Re: (A very) Sunny Day on McNeil Ridge - 06/30/13.
Okay, this settles it! McNeil is my next Mt Hood adventure! Looking mighty good up there! (Was hoping you'd attach your usual track map, as I've never been there and am always looking for more hints/tips. ) Thanks!
Karl
Back on the trail, again...
Back on the trail, again...
Re: (A very) Sunny Day on McNeil Ridge - 06/30/13.
The multi media version
http://api.smugmug.com/services/embed/2 ... 14_7V8sNjD
http://api.smugmug.com/services/embed/2 ... 14_7V8sNjD
Re: (A very) Sunny Day on McNeil Ridge - 06/30/13.
Ha, maybe it'll be my first? Hard to believe I've never done any hiking in the vicinity of Mt Hood.kepPNW wrote:Okay, this settles it! McNeil is my next Mt Hood adventure! Looking mighty good up there! (Was hoping you'd attach your usual track map, as I've never been there and am always looking for more hints/tips. ) Thanks!
Nice TR Guy. That's a fun and spirited group you were hiking with by the looks of it. Beautiful shot of Yocum Falls! What an amazing day.
Re: (A very) Sunny Day on McNeil Ridge - 06/30/13.
Karl, here is my usual Hillmap!
Re: (A very) Sunny Day on McNeil Ridge - 06/30/13.
Sweet! Downloaded and bookmarked!Guy wrote:Karl, here is my usual Hillmap!
Karl
Back on the trail, again...
Back on the trail, again...
Re: (A very) Sunny Day on McNeil Ridge - 06/30/13.
Thanks Guy!!!!
I have to do my annual trip soon also
I have to do my annual trip soon also
Re: (A very) Sunny Day on McNeil Ridge - 06/30/13.
Good TR but I really like the movie...I mean muti-media show
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Re: (A very) Sunny Day on McNeil Ridge - 06/30/13.
Beautiful, Guy! How were the bugs? Ran into my first batch of black flies over near Bennett Pass on Sunday... hopefully, they won't be as prolific as the beargrass..!
-Tom
-Tom
Re: (A very) Sunny Day on McNeil Ridge - 06/30/13.
Thanks Folks,
Tom, I would say that biting fly season is just beginning up around McNeil. Picked up just 2 bites. Flowers are & will continue to be early this year for sure, I'd say there is less snow up there at the moment than there was in early August 2 years ago.
Tom, I would say that biting fly season is just beginning up around McNeil. Picked up just 2 bites. Flowers are & will continue to be early this year for sure, I'd say there is less snow up there at the moment than there was in early August 2 years ago.