2023-03-14 Multnomah Creek - Larch Mt. Attempt (Post Hole City)

[JustinFromVancouver]

I started out with the intent to get to Sherad Point on Larch Mountain. It got pretty snowy and that snow got pretty melty. Around 2000 foot elevation after some post holing I paused for a snack and to consider my options. I knew it was time to turn around when, not moving and my pack off, I suddenly fell through a trap door (double post-holed almost to my waist). It was not easy to get back on the surface again. I'm sure it would have been quite comical watching me fall and then struggle to swim out of the snow.

Now from the beginning of the hike: Parked at the Wahkeena trailhead and took the 0.6 mile connector trail over to Multnomah Lodge to climb up the nice paved Multnomah Falls trail. Multnomah Falls was showing great form.

Multnomah Falls

Mossy Rocks and snow-free trail dirt

Trail was mostly snow free other than a few small intermittent patches up until the Multnomah-Wahkeena junction.

Multnomah Creek and rocky trail

Cool orange fungi peeking out from a snowy log

Snow remains on bridge crossing Multnomah creek

Moss, lichen, and fungi on a stump

On the Larch Mountain trail, shortly after the Wahkeena trail junction, I put on my microspikes and kept them on until I got back to this area on the return trip. It was compact and icy for a mile or so, then around the wilderness boundary the nice compact snow/ice turned into melty snow/slush for a mile or so. Then it turned to deeper and deeper snow that was softer and softer. I mostly stayed on top of the snow while avoiding old frozen post holes from previous hikers. The creek and surrounding environment was really cool with a layer of snow on it.

Creek and snowy logs

Creek with snowy logs and burned snags

There were parts of the trail that would have been hard to follow if there weren't already hiker tracks. I did pretty well keeping my feet mostly dry despite the trail being more of a creek than a trail in a few spots.

Snowy Trail

Wet Trail

Saw a pair of American Dippers at the spot where Multnomah Creek forks. Saw them again on the return hike and caught one on camera.

Forky the American Dipper at the Multnomah Creek fork

After hiking 4.8 miles to 2000' elevation (0.6 miles on connector trail, then 4.2 miles up from Multnomah Lodge), I was at the point I mentioned at the top of the post where I ended up turning around after the sudden post hole trap door.

Post hole city

Hiker Shadow in the snow

A raft of insects in a puddle on trail caught my eye. The internet has me convinced they are springtails. I took a 30 second video of them that I think is pretty cool and shows how springy they are. If anyone has a good way to attach videos to trip reports that would be sweet to hear about. I don't think I want to go through the trouble of posting the video to youtube.

Springtail raft

All in all this was a very enjoyable sunny morning to be on trail. Here is a screenshot of the track captured by Strava and viewed in FATMAP. I was recently introduced to FATMAP and I'm loving it even with just the free version.

Strava/FATMAP track

[retired jerry]

thanks for report

I feel spring is coming