Mazama Triple D Challenge

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Runnerinblack
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Mazama Triple D Challenge

Post by Runnerinblack » June 23rd, 2017, 12:59 pm

As part of the Alzheimer's Association The Longest Day, I decided to tackle the Mazama Triple D Challenge of hiking Mount Defiance, Devil's Rest, and Dog Mountain in one day. June 21st 2017 was the day and it went a little like this.
sundefiancetest.jpg
Sunrise on Defiance
Started off at Mount Defiance to get the hardest out of the way before the heat of the day. Sun was just peeking at us through the trees as we ascended the trail from Starvation Creek. Up, and up, and up we went. Passing by a few slugs about five inches long that were moving about as fast as we were.

After about two miles you get a little reprieve before the climbing starts again....and a nice reprieve it is even though that mile you still gain 968 feet. After the little rest a big climb ensues as the gain over the next three miles is 2,526 feet to the summit. Along the way, before the summit, you are treated to the best views Defiance has to offer as the summit has a view of Hood and that's about it.
threelookout.jpg
Views for miles!
We took the trail on the west side of the summit and reached the summit on the south side and was met with this gorgeous view of our mountain.
lookoutdefi.jpg
Hello Hood!
There is no more snow on the trails and the trails are in incredibly good condition considering the winter the Gorge had. After a quick hang out session on the summit and a few pictures, we ran down to the TH for a snack, a change of clothes, and plan of attack for D number two.

Mount Defiance: Done
Miles: 11.6 Roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 5052 ft.
Time: 3 hr: 37 mins: 14 secs

The drive over to Wahkeena Falls TH was a quick one and as expected, it was busy as all get out. Scored a wonderful parking spot right at the TH and took off our flip flops, filled our bottles, and made our way up to Devil's Rest.

This was my first time up to Devil's Rest but have been on some of the trails running the Gorge Waterfalls races put on by Rainshadow Running. The first view you get is of the falls.
wahk.jpg
Wahkeena
Along the way up the trail there are many turn offs, but the signs are all easy to follow for a choose your own adventure. The trails are in good shape and there are gorgeous water views for a lot of the first half.
waterdevils2.jpg
Good place to cool off!
waterfalldevils.jpg
So nice
waterdevils.jpg
Fairy land
Three and a half miles later and 2,559 feet of climbing, you get to the only decent view before the summit of Devil's Rest.
devilslookout.jpg
I see you!
And then you get to the summit.
taylordr.jpg
Summit views?
The run down this trail is fast and fun! Not super technical, but just enough technicality to keep you on your toes and hopping around like a mountain goat. Number two D done!

Devil's Rest from Wahkeena TH: Done
Miles: 7.1
Elevation Gain: 2,559 feet
Time: 1 hr: 47 mins: 41 seconds

On to the third D to complete the challenge, but first a rest and a beer in Stevenson at Walking Man Brewery and a quick ride back to Hood River to drop my friend off so she could get the after event BBQ in order. I drop her off and head back to Dog Mountain to finish the Challenge.

Most of us know Dog Mountain. I think I know it like the back of my hand by now. It is my go to for elevation gain training. The parking lot was half empty when I arrived and I think I passed half of them going down as I was climbing up. I took the easier of the three ways up more for time than anything else. If you don't know Dog very well, there are three ways up. One is the Augspurger route that starts IN the parking lot and is a steady climb up with a lot of rocky sections but great views of St. Helens to the NW. Another is the most difficult, but it's only because of the grade for the first one and a half miles.

The flowers are in their last gasp of life right now, but there are still some and it is gorgeous either way. Plus, the aroma of the Wild Onion is intoxicating as you break out of the trees and make your last march towards the summit.
dogacross.jpg
Hello starting point!
doglook.jpg
Some flowers but views for miles.
The run down this trail is one of the best in the gorge. You just get to remove the emergency brake and let your body take you down the Mountain. Such a fun ride you don't want it to end.

As per usual, the trails here are in great condition and easy to follow no mater what route you take. Either get to the trail head early in the morning or late in the evening for a parking spot OR drive in to Stevenson and take the shuttle and make it easy on your self. Please do not park on the side of the road if the lot is full. Sure it is convenient, but it is also extremely dangerous on a section of road that is notoriously already accident prone.

Dog Mountain: Done!!
Miles: 6.2
Elevation Gain: 2,858 feet
Time: 1 hr: 30 mins: 39 secs

Triple D: Completed!!!
Total Mileage: 24.9
Total Elevation Gain: 10,469 Feet
Total Time on Feet: 6 hrs: 15 mins: 34 secs


Awesome day in the Gorge for an amazing cause.
Last edited by Runnerinblack on June 27th, 2017, 9:37 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Bosterson
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Re: Mazama Triple D Challenge

Post by Bosterson » June 26th, 2017, 9:36 am

Impressive times! Were you running up, or just down? When I did a DDT (Table rather than Devil's), I took longer going down Defiance to try to save my knees! ;)

Pretty shocking there's not still snow up on Defiance - I recall seeing pics from late winter, and there was snow up to the top of the fence at the summit!
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Runnerinblack
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Re: Mazama Triple D Challenge

Post by Runnerinblack » June 26th, 2017, 12:56 pm

Bosterson wrote:Impressive times! Were you running up, or just down? When I did a DDT (Table rather than Devil's), I took longer going down Defiance to try to save my knees! ;)

Pretty shocking there's not still snow up on Defiance - I recall seeing pics from late winter, and there was snow up to the top of the fence at the summit!

Just hiking fast up and running down and the "flats". My knees held up fine, thank goodness!!

The only snow on Defiance was one patch, about three square feet, on the trail and some piles in the trees.

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bobcat
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Re: Mazama Triple D Challenge

Post by bobcat » June 29th, 2017, 5:57 am

Well done! Very cool challenge. Your first picture is like a painting!

Runnerinblack
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Re: Mazama Triple D Challenge

Post by Runnerinblack » June 29th, 2017, 10:28 pm

bobcat wrote:Well done! Very cool challenge. Your first picture is like a painting!

Thank you for checking it out.

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Don Nelsen
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Re: Mazama Triple D Challenge

Post by Don Nelsen » July 1st, 2017, 6:34 pm

Nice job! That's a good time for Defiance, and even better time for Devil's and a spectacular time for Dog - especially after having done the first two. Good work!

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

handerson
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Re: Mazama Triple D Challenge

Post by handerson » July 19th, 2017, 10:30 am

Wow. I went up Mt. Defiance a few weeks ago, and it took me 6 hours and 40 minutes total. And then I had to rest for three days. Devil's Rest I had never heard of, so thanks for that pointer. I have always been too scared of the crowds and parking problems at Dog Mountain to try that one. Good job, very impressive.

Runnerinblack
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Re: Mazama Triple D Challenge

Post by Runnerinblack » July 19th, 2017, 11:27 am

handerson wrote:Wow. I went up Mt. Defiance a few weeks ago, and it took me 6 hours and 40 minutes total. And then I had to rest for three days. Devil's Rest I had never heard of, so thanks for that pointer. I have always been too scared of the crowds and parking problems at Dog Mountain to try that one. Good job, very impressive.

Try Dog in the late afternoon...after 4pm. You will hit some crowds coming down but have the summit mostly to yourself. When I was there in the late afternoon, the lot was 3/4 empty.

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