This week's hikes included a quick jaunt up the Augsperger trail on Dog Mountain and a Sunday hike on the Herman Creek/Gorton Creek trails to the 2200 foot level.
Winds on Dog Mountain were a bit fierce last Thursday and on the north side of the meadows, spring is just becoming evident. Opting for lunch and a quick retreat back down the mountain, we did not see the south slope where wildflowers were probably more abundant. However, the yellow bells were prominent, along with a few yellow glacier lilies, some paint brush, chocolate lilies and calypso orchids on the forested trail.
Today we had a late start on Herman Creek/Gorton Creek trails, on the Oregon side of the gorge just past Cascade Locks, and lunched at the 2200 foot level. Vine Maples are in the very early stages of leafing out and impart a lacy softness to the forest understory, much like an impressionistic painting.
Unusual numbers of the beautifully blue Oregon anenome flower graced the trail, along with yellow Johnnie-jump-ups (stream violets) and more calypso orchids than we've ever seen on this hike.
Herman Creek/Gorton Creek trails are a great way for new hikers to increase stamina as the trails are soft and the elevation change gradual.
Good exercise, much beauty, and the new Asolo boots are becoming more comfortable with each hike. A good day.
The search is still on for a new lighter-weight women's sized backpack. So far, the variety available seems quite limited for technical day packs.
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