2025 Hikes

 I've created a new page for the new year to record all my hikes for 2025.

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Hike No. 1 - 1/8/25 - Gales Creek and Storey Burn Trails, Oregon Coast range.  First hike of 2025!  I joined friends Debbie and Barry for a nice stroll on a favorite loop trail that I hadn't hiked for a couple of years.  It was a dry, partly sunny day - welcome weather after so many rainy days.  We encountered some blow-down but it wasn't insurmountable.  We were surprised to see the last segment of our loop, the Gravelle Brothers trail, had been rerouted to higher ground.  More climbing at the end of a hike that wasn't welcome at all!  But we survived.  8.6 miles, 1800 feet elevation gain.

Hike No. 2 - 1/19/25 - Hamilton Mtn loop, Columbia River Gorge, Washington.  It was a sunny, but cold day.  Taking advantage of the dry weather, I convinced my hubby to join me for a trek up Hamilton Mtn.  Despite the cold, the uphill slog soon warmed us both!  There were some great views from the saddle, even saw the tip of Mt. Hood.  Great exercise, and it felt good to be outdoors.  8 miles, 2500 feet elevation gain.

Hike No. 3 - 1/26/25 - Wilson River Trail, from Jones Creek Trailhead to Wilson Falls, Oregon Coast range.  My friend Catherine invited me to join her family on a hike along this lovely riverside trail.  It was a chilly but sunny day as we set out from the trailhead.  The mossy coast range forest is always a treat to hike through.  And the blue-green waters of the Wilson River make a nice place to sit beside for a lunch break.  5.5 miles, 600 feet elevation gain.

Hike No. 4 - 1/29/25 - Various trails in Stub Stewart State Park, Oregon Coast range.  After over 2 weeks of cold, sunny weather (unheard of in January!) today was supposed to be the last day of this break from the usual gloom.  Taking advantage of this final sunny day, I decided to get in a quick hike at the closest state park to home.  I discovered there's a lot of logging (thinning, they claim) of trees going on right now, so there was hardly anyone in the park.  But I had a nice romp through frosty forests and frozen mud, past an icy Boomscooter pond.  6 miles, 1000 feet elevation gain.