OREGON COAST RANGE PEAKS (continued) Page 2

Anxious about how many peaks I would climb, I was to never suspect I would climb so many, so predictably, for me. Sunday was my biggest day. I left the motel a bit earlier, and took OR 6 at the junction west of town. No one was hiking at the Kings Mountain trailhead, worrying me a bit. I preferred to have some company, in case something went terribly wrong, but I was to do O.K.

Starting up the trail at 8:06 a.m., I made very good time. These peak trails are steep, but this one was mostly graded well. An Internet post warned of ticks, so I applied DEET to my legs and waist. The trail is wide at first, but it becomes impossible not to brush by plants. I took my time for photos, and observed my progress by the trail markers.

Climbing out of the trees, I was seeing the other peaks, then topped out after 1:42 of hiking. Excellent, for 2,600 feet of gain. A summit register, inside a large blue plastic tube, was inside an aged wooden column. I signed in the large notebook, after snapping my summit view photos. I pondered about the connecting trail between the peaks. Some advice suggested not to do it for a solo hiker like me. I had no good maps, and didn't know the way. It saves some gain, but is further to hike, as a loop, than going down and starting up Elk Mountain from its own trailhead.

So, I decided to head the way I had come. I made it back down after an hour ten, then motored a few miles back east to the short, side road to Elk Campground and the Elk Mountain Trailhead. They were finishing cleaning the restroom, so I used it. It was almost 12 Noon.

I was feeling O.K., so drank plenty of water, and started up this second trail. I expected it to go fast, but it turned into a very steep trail. My footing would be poor on the way down. I clambered up what would be class 2 trail, perspiring heavily in the sun. I knew this wouldn't last, so continued on. Other hikers came sliding down.

I caught up with an older couple, guided by bad directions. They were going to do the peak loop, but the book they had was misleading. They turned around, as we chatted on the top. I looked through the register, which was filled, and snapped some sample photos. Nothing like the Sierra Club in L.A., with lists, and numbers under the drawn peaks behind peoples' sign-ins.

I took it slow on my way down. Didn't want to slip and injure myself. It took about as long to get down, an hour and three quarters, as to climb each peak, today, and I was tired. It was early enough in the day, though, so once safely back to my car, wondered about a third, easy peak today.

Motoring back east, I chose to head for Larch Mountain, a near drive-up. I hoped that the summit road was now open, as it was closed a few days ago. I ascertained that uncertainty, by phone, two days before I left home.

Passing through Portland, I took Interstate 84 east. Turning off at the Corbett Exit, I stopped at a great vista point of the Columbia River Gorge, signed the Portland Womens Forum. I was to stop here again on my way down, for a great dusk photo.

Needing to use a facility, I had to stop and use a tree. Then, I saw the summit road was open. Snow along the shoulder appeared. There was two or three feet of snow on the berm, in spots. I was so lucky!

The parking lot was plowed, and I was able to display my NPS park passport on my dash. This is a USFS fee area. I hiked on snow to the vista point, with families about. It may be a stretch of mine to count this as a peak ascent, but it is high, and prominent. The views are touted as one of the best of so many Cascade peaks.

The view platform, Sherrard Point, is surrounded by a fence. I quickly stepped over it to clamber up the adjacent, class 2, highpoint rock, with fine holds. There is some exposure on the far side, but I was safe enough. I started to use my telephoto lenses, and Mt. Hood was the closest volcano. Rainier was too far away to be seen, today, due to haze.

I snapped a group shot for the family, then they went down. Others were still coming up. The sunset wasn't to be that great, with no clouds to turn red. I wished for a great night shot of the lights of Portland, but it was so distant. The sun reflected off the Columbia River to the west. All or most of these parks and vista points have hours of use.

While walking back to the parking lot, I heard a shrill whistle. I mentioned this to another visitor, and then more people heard it, too. One fellow yelled to whistle twice if they (?) heard us yelling, but the sound continued, unresponsive. I figured it was a bird of the Northwest. The fellow had a cell phone, so he called 911. I figured they'd think it was nothing, after talking about it. Terrible, if it was a lost hiker, with us ignoring it.

I motored off, and soon saw a patrol car speeding up the hill, lights flashing, followed by another. What did that guy say? I stopped again at the Gorge vista point, and the fellow came by. He told me that his cell phone had dropped the connection, so I guess that they responded to what they must have first heard--lost hiker. Horrible mistake. I just hoped it came to nothing, and the fellow spoke to a Washington State dispatcher to explain. I felt badly, but it was due to poor reception.

I shot more pictures of the Gorge--it was beautiful. My legs were tired, but I had bagged both hike peaks, and got this third one, too. I munched down some roast beef sandwiches once back to civilization, shaken a bit. It was late. I would have rather had a great dinner to celebrate my day.

Taking Interstate 84 back into Portland, I enjoyed a great, close-by, night panorama of the downtown skyline from the I-5 bridge over the Willamette River. Wish I could walk out and get a shot! No pedestrian walkway, though.

So back to my motel, I watched more TV, and recharged more batteries. I read my books and maps for what to do next.

Monday, I checked out of the motel, and headed south. I stopped in Salem to visit the State Capitol. Not much else to see.

Then, it was back to Eugene. Taking Willamette Street south out of town, I found the trailhead parking for Spencer Butte. This is a prominent park and rec area, with fine forests to hike through. No fees. I started up this point by 10:28 a.m., and took the steeper northern side to the top. A few other users were about, too. I topped out in 25 minutes, and recorded the nice views, with hazy, high overcast. It was nice enough, but with record highs forecast for today. Eugene was far distant, but the Willamette Valley and the surrounding ranges made for photos.

After ambling over to a better view toward the north, I started down on trail on the far, southeast side of the butte. Lots of poison oak. Soon, I was back in thick forest, and enjoying doing this hike. Many hardcore peak baggers might ridicule such easy urban hikes as "peaks," but they are exotic enough, for me, so that I'll count them. I don't get up here enough to regard these as so mundane.

I headed back over the freeway on to my next hike--Mt. Pisgah, which I had just decided to do. A fee must be paid, then I started up at 12:50 p.m., in light heat. A dirt road leads to the top. This peak is mostly cloaked in oaks and grasses, with a power line running through the place. I liked the many irises, and, as everywhere this trip, just how green it all was.

Summiting in 45 minutes, I talked with some locals, and they guessed at some names for the peaks to see. I left to head back down, with lots of time, today. With my now lower standards for peaks, I began to formulate the number, "nine," for the total count for this trip. That was pretty heady.

Refreshing myself again with cold drink and some food, I continued south on Interstate 5. I'd get to the motel in Roseburg, OR, and have lots of time to relax. I got the good rate, then the best meal for the trip. A decaf cappuccino for dessert, made and served by a cute gal, was followed by my circuitous return to my motel, due to freeway construction. I fell asleep earlier.

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