Is this thing still on?
A short while ago, Lindsay and I moped to each other that we had not had a vacation since Christmas. Poor planning on our part. So, as you can imagine, we were thrilled to spend the long weekend with our brothers Myles and DJ and DJ’s girlfriend Olivia in a beautiful cabin nestled in the woods near the lush Salmon River just off of Mount Hood and only about an hour drive from home.
We leave after work on Friday and are pleasantly surprised that in less than an hour we arrive at the cabin. I can hear the Salmon River nearby and am grateful that the house is surrounded by trees. What a perfect spot to spend a long weekend.
Salmon River Trail run - 10ish miles, 2,000 or so feet of gain
In the morning, Myles and I drive a few minutes from the cabin to the Salmon River Trail. Two years prior, we had backpacked about five miles up the trail and camped at Goat Creek. Today, we’d be running to Goat Creek and back.
The first section of trail is a bit rocky and challenging to run. After a half mile or so, though, the trail improves and at about a mile in we pass our first campsite from two years ago. I remember fondly relaxing in our hammock looking out at the rushing Salmon River while enjoying a beer under the stars.
Soon, we enter one of my favorite sections of the forest. It is lush, the trail is soft, and massive old growth Douglas Firs line the trails. We pass a few more campsites along the river and cross a beautiful wood bridge before reaching the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness boundary.
Shortly after entering the wilderness area, we begin a deceivingly tough 1.5 mile or so climb to a bluff where we pause to catch our breath and enjoy the wildflowers and the views. We can hear the river flowing hundreds of feet below.
After the trail re-enters the forest, we climb a few steep switchbacks and continue for a few more miles to our turnaround destination, Goat Creek.
We take a short break at the viewpoint on the bluffs and chat with a few hikers/trail runners before continuing the couple mile descent to the car.
We spend the rest of the day relaxing, puzzling, eating, and hanging out with Luca.
Bonanza Trail to Huckleberry Mountain hike - 12 miles, 3,500 ft of gain
On Sunday, we have a big breakfast and head out for what is originally supposed to be just a leisurely hike. The Bonanza Trail is a short walk from the house and leads 4.8 miles into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. We walk for a mile or so before reaching a junction where the trail leads into a lush, heavily shaded area of the forest. We continue walking for a while before reaching a crossing at Cheeney Creek. Thankfully there are many walking sticks just off the trail and we cross without issue.
We had planned just a few miles out and back, but at about 3 miles in we decide to continue to Huckleberry Mountain (after doing an inventory of our food and water). The trail climbs steeply for a few more miles. Soon, my Garmin reads 4.8 miles but we are still deep in the woods with no reprieve from the climbing in sight. We start grumbling in good humor but we’re ready for the viewpoint, a snack, and to start our descent so we can get back to the house for a beer.
Lindsay is a champion and hauls Luca in his pack the entire hike.
Finally, at about 5.9 miles (according to my watch) we reach what we think is the viewpoint but are slightly disappointed as there are no views. (In actuality, the crest where the real viewpoint is is another quarter mile from where we stopped…oops!) I take portraits of everyone and even manage a decent group photo. After a quick snack, we start the hike down.
We see only two other hikers the entire 5.5 hours we are out on the trail. By the time we get back to the house, we have covered over 12 miles with 3,500 feet of elevation gain or so. Time for a beer!
This is the longest hike - by far - that we have attempted with Luca. It may have been a fluke (or he wanted to impress his family!) but Luca did amazingly well the entire hike. He took a snooze, had some snacks, sang some songs, rested his head on his pack, and did a whole lot of gazing around at the gorgeous scenery. What a champ!
Monday - Top Spur to Timberline Trail jog/hike - 5 miles or so
On Monday morning, Lindsay and I drive to the Top Spur trailhead just off the PCT. We decide to go for a short hike to wrap up an excellent three-day weekend. The hike climbs a half mile or so through old growth forest to a junction with the Timberline Trail and PCT. We continue on the Timberline Trail heading towards Bald Mountain. The fog rolls in just before the trail exits the forest and into the steep exposed meadow under Bald Mountain.
After an hour or so we turn around and head back to the car.
My legs are tired and sore, but I am rejuvenated after a great weekend on Mount Hood. I’m grateful for the almost 10 hours of hiking and running trails in the woods over the course of the weekend. I’m grateful for the time spent with family in such a beautiful home in a lush natural setting. I’m grateful for good health and the privilege to access public lands with the people I love.