Bluegrass Ridge

This summer I tried my best to hike all my favorite Mt. Hood trails during peak wildflower bloom.  Although I didn't quite catch every one, those I did visit were spectacular.  One such outing was an early August visit to Elk Meadows, on Mt. Hood's east side.

Scary Newton Creek crossing

Normally I take the Elk Meadows trail, cross Newton Creek, and head straight to the meadow area.  However, the nearby Bluegrass Ridge Trail takes hikers high above the meadow for some nice views.  In 2006 a fierce wildfire raced across this ridge, burning all the trees and vegetation.  I tried to hike this trail post-fire a few years ago, but the sheer amount of downed trees blocking the track made for a difficult and frustrating outing.  Although I vowed "never again" I heard last year that crews had finally cleared all the obstacles, making it again passable.  I decided it was time to give the Bluegrass Ridge trail a second chance.

Safely on the other side!

I recruited my friend Catherine to join me for this latest hiking adventure.  There had been a few wildfires burning in central and eastern Oregon, and today's winds were blowing the smoke towards Mt. Hood.  Exiting my car at the trailhead we both noticed the hazy skies and smelled the strong odor of smoke.  Not exactly ideal conditions, but because we'd already driven and hour and a half, my friend and I decided we could live with it.  Carry on!

Overgrown trail

Our trek began with a relatively easy 1.5 mile romp along the Elk Meadows trail.  Then things got a little trickier.  My friend and I came to gushing, glacial Newton Creek, which we had to somehow cross.  Another hiker had positioned a large log over a narrow point in the flow and we had to walk across it balancing ourselves over the fast-moving water.  I'm a huge chicken when it comes to creek crossings anyway, but this one was especially nerve-wracking.  Catherine scampered quickly across, while I slowly shuffled along the log's length, tentatively moving one foot at a time while trying not to look at the rushing creek below.  To my relief I did finally make it across successfully.  Since we'd both been watching the Olympics on TV, Catherine and I joked that Simone Biles would've had no problem traversing that log - probably even doing a couple cartwheels in the process.

 

Huckleberry bushes everywhere

We then had a one mile steep climb, through lots of switchbacks.  Lucky for us, this trail was mostly shaded and morning temps were still fairly cool, so we ascended with minimal issues.

  

Looking out over Bluegrass Ridge

Just before the Elk Meadows trail junction, Catherine and I came upon the side trail to Bluegrass Ridge.  Decision time - should we go for it?  We both agreed the answer was YES!

 

Elk Mountain and old lookout foundation

The first part of this trail looked like it needed a bit more hikers on it.  It was covered by overgrown huckleberry bushes, so much so that we nearly couldn't see the tread.  The thick forest canopy was lovely and provided more shade, although the morning sun occasionally peeked through gaps in the trees.

A sea of gray tree trunks

After 3/4 of a mile we came upon a side trail to Elk Mountain.  Of course, we had to check this out - there might be a good viewpoint!  This trail wound along the edge of the old burn area.  Catherine and I rambled through lots of ghostly dead tree trunks until our path ended at a promontory.  Concrete foundations indicated there had once been a fire lookout here.  Sadly the smoky, hazy skies hid any long-range views.  

Smoky Hood views

No matter, from our perch we could see our goal, Bluegrass Ridge, ahead.  It's now-barren top was covered with old burned-out tree trunks, while many others littered the ground.  But upon our return to the Bluegrass Ridge trail junction, I was delighted to see that the trail itself had indeed been cleared.

Looking out over a smoky sky

Onward we went!  Although the trail was bit circuitous, the tread was log-free.  In some places the trail was easy to follow, but in others it was so faint we had to look around for clues.  This was another path that would benefit from more boots trodding upon it.  

I managed to catch one butterfly

There were small amounts of wildflowers still blooming amidst all the downed trees.  And one benefit of the fire - it had cleared the forest enough to allow several nice views to Mt. Hood.  (Although thanks to all the smoke they were kind of sepia-toned today.)  We got a few glimpses of Elk Meadows' green fields far below.  After we traversed the ridge, that would be our day's destination.

More mountain views

Catherine and I had a nice romp along Bluegrass Ridge, taking in the views.  Now that the trail had been cleared of blow-down trees, it was really quite pleasant.  After about a mile of ridge walking, we noticed our path taking a steep turn and heading downhill towards Elk Meadows.

Orange Indian paintbrush

This was the Bluegrass Tie Trail, which linked Elk Meadows and Bluegrass Ridge.  One of the first things I noticed as we began our downward trek was the wildflowers started to become plentiful.  First orange Indian paintbrush, then fireweed, and finally goldenrod and pearly everlasting.  The further we descended, the better it got.

An arched tree!

I hadn't taken a lot of photos thus far, but that all changed in a hurry!  We came across so many colorful wildflower patches that my stops became more and more frequent.  Each group of blooms were even better than the last (or so I thought.)

Heading downhill on the tie trail

Luckily, Catherine is very patient with me when I'm in photographer mode.  She walked ahead, taking in the fantastic scenery and capturing a few images of her own.

Lots of fireweed blooming here

Although steep, I thought the Bluegrass Tie trail was impressive, not only due to the sheer volume of blooming wildflowers, but also because there were some good views of Mt. Hood as we wound downhill.  It was certainly the highlight of the today's hike!

Colorful flower garden

Enjoy the next few wildflower photos.......

The tie trail was full of wildflowers

Another Wow view

Catherine poses in the fireweed

Pink power

Lots to photograph here

When Catherine and I finally made it down to the loop trail that encircled Elk Meadows we were both hungry.  So I located a nearby campsite and we enjoyed a nice lunch break.  After eating, I ventured out into the nearby meadow itself.  I was highly disappointed to see a large circular burn mark in the meadow - some moron had lit a campfire here!  Not only are backpackers not allowed to set up tents, let alone have campfires in the meadow area, with the extreme fire danger, this campfire could've started another forest fire.  Ugh, this is why we can't have nice things!

Almost down to Elk Meadows

After lunchtime, Catherine and I followed the loop trail around Elk Meadows.  We popped out into the meadow near an old wooden tumble-down shelter to take in the fabulous Mt. Hood view.  The meadow in this area was full of purple aster blooms.  Just beautiful!  Then we returned to the original trail junction and retraced our steps back down the Elk Meadows Trail.

Elk Meadows and Mt Hood view

After successfully navigating the log crossing this morning, I was nervous about the afternoon traverse.  Glacial streams always have higher volumes in the afternoon due to more snow and ice melting high up on the mountain.  I was afraid of falling off the log and into the churning waters.  However when I came to the crossing I immediately jumped on the log and scooted across quickly, before I had time to really think about it.  That tactic seemed to work better than my "slow and steady" morning shuffle.  I was glad to have this second crossing now behind me.

Asters in the meadow

As Catherine and I traveled our final mile back to the trailhead, we stopped to pick the numerous ripe huckleberries that were lining the trail.  Catherine came prepared with an empty water bottle to hold her stash of berries.  Since I didn't have a container, I helped fill hers.  And of course, quite a few berries also made their way into my mouth!

Another good hike in the woods, exploring a newish trail, photographing wildflowers, and picking huckleberries.  Summer days don't get any better!

Summer Paradise

Where does one go to satisfy their hiking fix on a hot day in late July?  Why, you head to the mountains!  One of my favorite summer hikes is the trek to Mt Hood's lovely, flower-filled Paradise Park.

Timberline Lodge in the morning light

To beat the heat, summer days dictate early starts.  I arrived at Timberline Lodge soon after sunrise, and enjoyed the cool morning temps while I could.  Morning light illuminated the nearby mountains with Mt Jefferson's white pointy peak prominently rising above the Cascade foothills.

Skier heading up the lift

In good snow years, Timberline runs their ski area nearly year-round, providing groomed slopes on Mt Hood's high glaciers.  As I walked underneath the Magic Mile lift, it was weird to see it running in the summer, and even more unusual to see skiers occupying the chairs.  But instead of being already geared up, these skiers were carrying their skis and boots.  They had to ride a second chairlift to reach the actual snow.

Patchwork snow on Mt Hood

Because warm summer temperatures render snow a slushy mess by noon, summer skiers start early.  Timberline caters to various ski camps throughout the summer season.  I'm told the US ski team even trains here.  Looking up towards Mt Hood, what snow was left appeared mighty patchy.  Hiking seemed like the better option today.

Monkeyflowers

For the first mile I followed the iconic Timberline Trail across ski slopes, admiring purple lupine and yellow wildflowers.  I kept leapfrogging a couple of young folks with large backpacks.  Finally I came upon them standing in the trail.  The couple asked if I had a map they could look at.  Always prepared (I never hike anywhere without a paper map - even if it's a trail I've done many times) I whipped out my Timberline Trail map.  Chatting with the couple I learned they were backpacking the entire Timberline Trail - but lacked any map.  (People that head out on long hiking journeys without the proper navigation tools always amaze me!)  The couple used their phones to photograph my map.  (I sure hope that their batteries were fully charged.)

Gorgeous butterfly

After parting ways with the unprepared hikers, I crossed Little Zigzag Canyon, contoured across another flower-filled gully and came upon the larger Zigzag Canyon.  This deep gorge, impressive when viewed from the very top, drops several hundred vertical feet for a mile before crossing the Zigzag River. 

Oregon Sunshine

Downward I descended, sometimes steeply, through flower-filled slopes.  I captured a couple of butterflies enjoying the blooms and admired a lovely display of pink and yellow monkeyflowers.

Small snow patch to cross

Finally arriving at the canyon's very bottom, I surveyed the Zigzag River's fast-moving glacial waters for a good place to cross.  Myself and another backpacking couple walked up and down the bank trying to locate the perfect crossing, until finally I picked a place that appeared to have enough large well-spaced rocks to hop across.  Stream crossings always look much worse than they really are, and this one was no exception.  I bounded across with no problem and was soon ascending the canyon's opposite side.

Lupine

It was a steep climb out of the canyon, and the day was beginning to heat up.  Soon I came upon a spur trail that branched off the Timberline trail, taking hikers to lovely Paradise Park. 

Mariposa lily (aka "Cats ear")

More sweaty climbing ensued.  But I passed through many fields of lovely wildflowers, so that helped.  One slope was covered with white Mariposa lilies, sometimes referred to as "Cats ears."  Another slope had huge concentrations of lupine and orange Indian paintbrush.  I took many photo (aka rest) breaks to capture the beauty.  I passed a group of young men backpackers, and one guy had a roll of toilet paper affixed to the outside of his pack (I joked that he was well prepared!)

No flowers yet at the grand meadow

There's one trail junction on the Paradise Park loop that is famous for having huge wildflower meadows.  Mt Hood looms over the horizon, making it a special scenic spot.  However, I must have been too early, because when I came upon said junction, absolutely nothing was blooming.  It was kind of a disappointment.  I took a photo of Mt Hood with the sign, and kept going.

Lots of lupine and hippies around the bend

Luckily, not much farther away, I did find a few blooming wildflowers.  Lupine and mop-headed Western Pasqueflowers (aka "hippy on a stick") covered an adjacent slope.  The fluffy "hippy" flowers always make great photo subjects!

Two bees

And I also managed to capture two different kinds of bees on one flower.

"Hippy on a stick"

After a quick lunch break under a grove of scraggly trees, the trail continued above timberline for wide-open views of the surrounding foothills, with Mt Hood anchoring the sky.

Mt Hood sighting in Paradise Park

Magenta Indian Paintbrush blooms occasionally appeared trailside, providing color to an otherwise gray, rocky scene.

Pink heather and expansive views

I even glimpsed a few patches of pink heather standing out amongst the greenery.

Checking out Split Rock

One of Paradise park's local landmarks is a huge isolated boulder, with a wide crack running through the middle.  Nicknamed "Split Rock" by the local hiking community, it's worth a quick climb up a gravelly bootpath to see it.

Magenta paintbrush

I love the views of Mt Hood from Split Rock, so eagerly trekked uphill hoping to spend some quality time hanging out and photographing the area.  However, upon my arrival, I discovered a huge group of older hikers had already arrived, and were spread out around the rock enjoying an extended lunch break. They weren't very friendly - a couple of the men gave me the evil eye when I approached, camera in hand.  Not wanting grumpy people in my photos, I retreated (but not before snapping a self-portrait for my #52hikechallenge blog page!)

Mt Hood rises over the meadow

The Paradise Park loop meandered through more open wildflower meadows, before charging steeply downhill to reconnect with the Timberline Trail.  I passed by several campsites, many already claimed by weekend backpackers. 

Huge patch of avalanche lilies on the Timberline Trail

Connecting once again to the Timberline Trail/Pacific Crest Trail (these trails combine for a few miles here) I headed back towards Zigzag Canyon.  I came upon a shady area that was chock-full of avalanche lilies.  An early-blooming spring flower, I assumed that the shaded spot had something to do with the longevity of this particular patch. 

Timberline trail crossing a drainage channel

After leaving the Paradise Park loop, I'd kind of assumed the good scenery was done for the day, but no, this portion of the Timberline Trail was just as lovely.  I crossed flower-filled drainages, and passed by rocky gullies with peek-a-boo glimpses of the surrounding mountains.  There were even a couple of waterfalls.  I chatted with several groups of backpackers, most attempting to hike the entire 40-mile Timberline Trail loop.  I even met a couple of PCT through-hikers.

Colorful monkeyflowers in Zigzag Canyon

Before I knew it, the trail began descending to the bottom of Zigzag Canyon.  Time to cross that river again!  Although the river was flowing much stronger, due to afternoon snowmelt swelling it's waters, I hopped across the same spot a second time with no problems.

Another beautiful butterfly

Now came the tough part of this hike - climbing out of ZigZag canyon in the afternoon heat.  Not only that, beyond the top of Zigzag Canyon, the final two miles to Timberline Lodge were also uphill. 

Zigzag Canyon

It was a hot, slow, extremely sweaty trudge out of the canyon.  The only good thing was the trail being mostly in shade.  But once I arrived at the top of the mighty Zigzag, it was all sun for the next two miles.

Ski lifts and Mt Jefferson

By now my feet were beginning to complain.  Although thirsty, I rationed my water supply to make sure I had enough to get me to the trailhead.  Good thing there were some lovely views to distract me from my misery.

Not much snow left to ski on

Late afternoon light illuminated Mt Hood beautifully.  Although skiing was done for the day, I had a good view of the tiny rectangle of groomed snow above the Palmer lift.  Sure didn't look big enough to do much skiing.

PCT trail sign near Timberline Lodge

I was never so glad to reach the PCT sign located directly above the road to Timberline Lodge.  That meant I was almost done!  It was a long, hot 14 mile day, but I came away with a camera full of beautiful images and although the body was weary, my mind was refreshed.  Now it was time to refuel with a well-deserved burger and beer!

Hike no. 35 done!  #52hikechallenge