Rhodie Season

Prepare yourself - I'm flooding this post with lots of pink!

Drippy rhododendron blooms

In early summer, the forests surrounding Oregon's northern Cascades erupt into a riot of pink flowers.  Wild rhododendrons thrive in these cool, mossy environments and it's always a treat to witness their blooms.  Affectionately nicknamed "rhodies" by the locals, these bright wildflowers almost seem out of place amongst the green vegetation. 

Sandy River

Every June I try to get in a hike somewhere rhodies are blooming.  One favorite rhodie-rich trek is the trail to Ramona Falls. 

Penstemon was blooming too

It had been several years since I'd visited this trail, so I planned a Monday morning in mid-June for my return trip.  My chosen day dawned with heavy clouds that threatened rain.  Although this might deter some hikers, for me I welcomed the lack of harsh sunlight.  As a photographer I know cloudy days not only produce even lighting, they can also make colors pop!

Raindrop-spangled flowers

Since I live in the Pacific NW, I'm quite used to hiking in the rain.  After checking the forecast, which predicted a good chance of precip, I prepared by bringing rain jacket, backpack cover, and a waterproof cover for my camera bag.  

Scary Sandy River crossing

The sky was lightly drizzling when I pulled into the trailhead parking area.  After already enduring several days of hot, dry weather this spring, it was most welcome.

The show began on the river's opposite bank

The trail started out meandering through a thick, mossy forest.  Rhodies grew profusely here, and it didn't take long for me to spot those familiar pink blooms.  Forward progress was delayed for bit as my camera came out again and again.

The trail was lined with pink!

The Ramona Falls trail is a relatively easy trek except for one thing - after about a mile, hikers must cross the raging Sandy River.  The Forest Service used to provide a seasonal bridge for hikers, but many years ago a freak flood wiped it out.  Sadly a hiker on the bridge at the time lost her life.  The bridge was never replaced, so now hikers wishing to reach Ramona Falls are forced to cross the river by whatever means they can.  Usually there is a log spanning the churning water that hikers can balance upon (or butt-slide if you're chicken like me) to get across.

Rhodies along the PCT

I was quite apprehensive about this river crossing.  Coming upon the mighty Sandy, I spotted the said log, suspended high above the river.  The water was churning mightily, making crossing this stream all the more intimidating.  There was no way I was gonna try to walk atop a log that was potentially wet and slippery.  So after ponding my options for a few minutes, I climbed atop and butt-slid across.  It wasn't pretty but I managed to get safely to the other side.

Peak bloom!

It's always a relief to get a river crossing done!  With that behind me for the meantime, I shifted my attention to the wildflowers.  Several patches of bright purple penstemon were blooming above the river bank, and their raindrop-spangled flowers were most photogenic.

Lotsa pink

A short path meandered through sandy soil before intersecting with the Pacific Crest and Ramona Falls Trails.  I took the PCT leg and immediately entered a rhododendron wonderland.

Peek-a-boo river views

This two mile stretch of the PCT was lined with rhododendron bushes, all in spectacular bloom.  And lucky for me, the rhodies were at peak!  The thick forest of mossy fir trees and misty weather added to the photo drama.  Every once and awhile the trees would part, giving glimpses of the Sandy River's barren, debris-lined channel.

Ramona Falls

It took a long time for me to cover the two miles between the river crossing and Ramona Falls.  The rhodie blooms were so impressive!  Their bright pinks practically glowed in the cloudy, wet weather.  Luckily, thus far the misty conditions were deterring most hikers, and I had the place nearly to myself.

 

Another view of the falls

Finally, the trail forked once again and a side path led me to magnificent Ramona Falls.  The waters of this 120-foot cascade stair-stepped down a rocky drop, looking much like a bridal train.  Again the cloudy, dark weather produced perfect light to photograph this beauty.  Usually a very busy area, I only encountered two groups the entire half hour I lingered here.

Ramona Creek Trail was like a fairyland

This hike offers a loop option, and I love taking a new trail on the return trip!  After basking in the glorious views of Ramona Falls, I packed up and ventured down the Ramona Creek Trail.  The forest here was a delight.  Full of all things green, it was a wonderland of ferns and moss.  Cute little Ramona Creek burbled through the middle of its mossy forest.

And more rhodies!

And of course there were more rhodies!  I discovered some of the biggest and brightest blooms along this trail.

Lovely Ramona Creek

After lightly misting most of the morning, it was here the sky decided to open up the faucets a bit more.  Although I tried to keep my camera in its bag, there were so many beautiful blooms I kept pulling it out again and again.  Soon not only did my camera get wet, so did the inside of its bag.  Although I tried to wipe it off every time before stowing, I couldn't get every drop.  After many repetitions residual dampness had begun to accumulate.  With so many beautiful rhodies yet to photograph I hated to stop.  However, although my camera was weather-sealed and could handle a small amount of moisture, I didn't want to risk damaging a very expensive device.  It pained me, but I finally had to pack it away for good.  

Droopy blooms

All day long I was dreading the recrossing of the Sandy River.  The angle the log was sitting would require an uphill butt-slide to get back across, and I wasn't thrilled about that at all.  However, upon reaching the river I observed a young couple beginning to cross.  Adjacent to the high log was a lower log at nearly water level that extended about halfway into the stream.  Both people shimmied across this lower log to its end.  There was a rock sticking into the flow on the other side, and the distance between the rock and log was short enough to jump across, which is what both people did.  That option looked much easier.  So I followed the same path that the young couple had taken.  And it was a piece of cake compared to sliding over a high log.  Now why hadn't I noticed this the first time?

  

Huge pink bush

No matter I was safely across the river once again.  I climbed up the opposite bank to finish the last mile.  Back through the rhodie bushes I traveled, resisting the urge to pull out my camera for yet more photos.  (I'd already captured quite enough for one day!)

Rainy, but wonderful

Oh what a glorious meander through rhododendron wonderland!  I came away with so many good images, it was hard to decide which ones to edit and post on social media.  I hope you've enjoyed my latest photo journey and didn't mind all the pink!

Rhodie Time on Mt Hood

Besides ski season, June is one of my favorite times to visit the Mt Hood area.  Why, you ask?  Because June is when lovely pink rhodies bloom in the forests.  Although the proper name for this flower is "rhododendron" we locals refer to them as "rhodies."

Last year I missed the entire rhodie season after spending June and July in South Dakota recovering from brain surgery.  In 2022, I vowed to make up for those lost flower-viewing opportunities.

The rhodies are blooming!

In mid-June I made an exploratory trip to the lower elevations of the Mt. Hood National Forest.  I found a few pink blooms, but overall things were just getting started.  Two weeks later I returned and although the flowers were beginning to fade down low, in areas above 4000 feet elevation the rhodie bloom was going strong.

Mt Hood view from Trillium Lake

My first stop was Trillium Lake.  This small water body has a killer view of Mt. Hood from it's shores, which is often reflected in the lake during calm weather.  Luck was with me that morning, because I was greeted with glassy waters that mirrored Mt. Hood perfectly on the lake's surface.  A mid-level cloud bank just added to the photo drama.  (I love clouds - I think they make images more interesting.)

Trillium Lake fishing dock

With my early morning arrival I was able to beat the hiking and sightseeing crowd, but not the fishermen.  (Being married to a fisher-guy, I know that they love nothing more than to get up obscenely early to purse their sport.)  But the fishermen weren't any trouble - they were all busy trying to lure the resident trout.  I kind of liked having them in my frames.

My attempt to get lake, mountain and rhodies in one frame

I'd hoped to get a shot of a blooming rhodie bush with the lake and mountain in the background.  But after walking most of the south shore, all I found was one sad bloom.  The one bush actually located along the lakeshore wasn't quite ready to flower.  So the above photo was as close as I got.

I found a big patch near Timothy Lake

Naturally there were tons of rhodie bushes along the road into Trillium Lake.  But these weren't anywhere close to the lake.  Even so, I got lots of good images of the roadside pink blooms.  Too bad one or two couldn't move closer to the lake.  (I considered trying to patch one rhodie bush into a lake image, but I'm not that good at Photoshop!)

Pink goodness

Remembering that nearby Timothy Lake had an abundance of rhodie bushes I decided to head over there.  My family used to camp at Timothy Lake frequently in the 90's.  I have fond memories of fun times with my hubby and kids at this beautiful lake.  Back in those days we could arrive on a Friday in the summer and still get a camping spot for the weekend.  Sadly population growth in the Portland area, coupled with more people discovering outdoor recreation, has made this lake a wildly popular spot.  Nowadays if you don't reserve a site 6 months in advance, forget about camping here.  Spontaneity is a thing of the past.

Even the butterflies like rhodies

At least the rhodies were still around.  I found lots of the gorgeous pink bushes lining the entrance road and at many of the campgrounds.  However, at three of the developed Forest Service campgrounds, I discovered day users weren't allowed to drive in and park anymore.  Naturally there weren't any rhodie bushes at the designated day use area.  Ironically the best displays were along the entrance road, which happened to be under construction.

Bright spots in the forest

Was I about to be skunked again in my rhodie quest?  Luckily I found a pull-out along a stretch of road that wasn't being worked on that happened to have a high concentration of pink blossoms.  Finally - I was able to get my rhodie shots.

Backlit blooms

The Timothy Lake area has lots of great scenery.  I drove past an old guard station, now renovated for overnight use.  In a large swampy clearing, I spotted the ancient cabin my kids and I used to visit while camping nearby.

Old cabin near Timothy Lake

Since it was in the neighborhood, I then decided to drive over the nearby Little Crater Lake.  Situated near another Forest Service campground, this tiny body of water displays a unique blue color, similar to it's larger cousin to the south.

Lupine blooms near Little Crater Lake

From the parking area, visitors hike a short trail to see the lake.  Although there wasn't any rhodies here, the path cut through a large grassy field full of lovely purple lupine flowers.

Little Crater Lake

Here's my favorite photo of Little Crater Lake.  The lake is fed by an underground spring that gives the lake it's unusual blue hue.

Anemone and ladybug

Although not an area known for rhododendrons, for my last stop of the day I decided to swing by Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort and visit Umbrella Falls.  A quarter mile trail from the resort's access road takes hikers to this stunning waterfall.  Along the way, I spotted several different wildflowers blooming (although not rhodies!).  I loved this shot of a deep purple anemone flower with a ladybug hanging out on one of its leaves.

And the waterfall was pretty spectacular too.  Although there were no rhodies in the area, I always enjoy visiting this lovely cascade.

Umbrella Falls

It was a successful rhodie-hunting trip around the mountain.  I love having these beautiful places just a short drive from my home.  

Now to get caught up on the other wildflowers I missed last summer!

Rhododendron Paradise

Life has been busy, and it's time for me to catch up on my poor, neglected blog!  Too many weekends spent hiking, creating lots of photos to sort and edit, and not near enough time to do it all.  (If only that thing called work didn't interfere with my fun)

Catching the rhododendron bloom on Mt Hood is always one of my favorite early summer rituals.  In June these lovely pink blooms begin to emerge from behind the large waxy green leaves of this otherwise unremarkable bush.

Pink beauties

 

I picked a Friday to travel up to Mt Hood and hike one of the rhodie-rich trails.  I initially headed for the Mirror Lake Trail.  Although super popular, I remembered it's outstanding number of rhodie blooms from the previous year.  On my way up the large hill to Government Camp, I happened to glance over at the Pioneer Bridle Trailhead.  The surrounding forest was a sea of pink. 

 

Colorful bush

 

Not only was the Mirror Lake trailhead fairly busy, it was socked in with fog and spitting cold rain.   I wasn't in the mood to fight bad weather, knowing that conditions would get worse the higher I climbed.  Remembering the lower elevation Pioneer Bridle Trail and its proliferation of rhodie blooms, I turned my car around and headed back downhill.

The trail was lined in pink

 

It's amazing the difference a few hundred feet of elevation make in the weather.  Arriving back at the Pioneer Bridle Trailhead, not only was the fog nearly gone, but so was any precipitation.  And, best of all, mine was the only vehicle in the parking area.

 

More rhodie goodness

 

I've hiked this trail a couple of times, but not for many years.  The last time was in 2012 when I played tour guide for someone who commented on my blog and through resulting correspondence became friends.  (You can read about my experience here.)

Fog, ferns and rhodies - classic PNW

 

But today, with the cloudy, foggy skies threatening rain, I was the sole hiker.  From the trailhead I was immediately engulfed in a tunnel of pink blossoms.  Rhodie bushes lined my path for the first mile.  Yeah!  This is what I'd been seeking.  Let's just say my camera was mighty busy.

 

Lone beargrass

 

 

A bit of history - this particular path was once a route of the Oregon Trail.  An alternative to floating down the Columbia River, Sam Barlow created a rough path for brave pioneers up and over Mt Hood.   It wasn't easy - steep grades, dense forests, and swampy bogs were some of the difficulties these travelers faced.  Later, the trail was converted into a highway.  Years later, highway 26 was constructed nearby and this route reverted back to a hiking trail.

Bunchberry

 

Although cloudy and foggy, the rain held off as I climbed the old roadbed up a steep hill.  On top was more dense forest accented with pink rhodie blooms.

Wall of rhodies

 

The rhodie blossoms were all wet and heavy with recent rainfall.  Some drooped down, droplets trickling off their petals.

Soggy, droopy flowers

 

I came upon an old, mossy stone wall lining the ancient roadbed of the Oregon Trail.

 

Ancient stone wall lining the Barlow Road

 

And not much further down the trail I arrived at a stone tunnel, one of the final remnants of the old Mt Hood highway.

 

Old rock highway tunnel

 

From the tunnel, I followed an abandoned road a half mile to Little Zigzag Falls.  There's a road and parking area that access the waterfall area, and here I ran into the only people I would see all day.  A man and his wife were out for a quick ramble and seeing my camera, struck up a conversation.  The wife was scoping out the area for a photography class she'd enrolled in.  I had a nice chat about photography with them both.

 

Little Zigzag Falls

 

Now it was time to retrace my steps back down the Pioneer Bridle Trail.  Passing by an area of large boulders, I heard a faint "meep" of a pika.  Stopping and quietly waiting I was rewarded with a brief sighting of this cute little rock-rabbbit.

Pika sighting!

 

Then it was back downhill through rhodie-land, snapping more photos as I went.  I'm sure many of those bushes were documented twice, but things often look different coming from another direction. 

Back through rhodieland

 

Either way, I ended my day with a hearty 7 miles under my belt, and a memory card with plenty of pink rhododendron images.

Happy hiker

 

Early summer days in the Pacific NW don't get much better than that!

 

(On a different note does anyone else dislike the new Blogger interface as much as I do?  Ugh, I hate change, especially when something was working perfectly fine.) 

First Day of Summer?

Know how you get Mt Hood's uber-popular Mirror Lake trail all to yourself?  Get up crazy early and pick a foggy, cold day.

Foggy forest

The short trail to Mirror Lake has a lot of bang for one's hiking buck.  That, and the trailhead's proximity to busy Highway 26 makes for easy access to the masses.  One of the busiest trails in the Mt Hood National Forest, the parking area adjacent to the highway would overflow on busy summer weekends.  For that reason, I'd only hiked this trail once many years ago, and had since avoided it like the plague.

Rhodies are out!

But this year the Forest Service closed the trailhead's highway-side location and relocated it adjacent to nearby Ski Bowl's parking lot.  Although adding two miles to the round-trip distance, it made for a larger and safer parking area.

No views at Mirror Lake

June 21st, my Friday off work, and the first day of summer.  I wanted to go hiking, but had a 1 pm appointment that afternoon.  Was there a short hike I could fit into a morning?  Then I remembered the Mirror Lake trail.  Interested in checking out the new parking area and expanded trail, I decided to give it a try.  However getting back in time for my appointment required an extremely early start.  Like arriving to the trailhead at 5:30.......am.

Friendly bunny

It wasn't easy but I got my sleepy butt out of bed and made the hour and 1/2 drive to Mt Hood.  I had the honor of being the second car in the parking area.  Upon exiting my car, I was surprised by the extremely cold air.  It was a foggy, bone-chilling 39 degrees outside.  Wait a minute, wasn't this supposed to be the first day of summer?

Beargrass!

Pulling out knit hat and gloves from my backpack, I bundled up in my winter coat and headed down the new trail.  It had rained the night before, and the adjacent forest dripped with cold precip.  Sure didn't feel like the first day of summer!

The rhodie show continues

The first mile of new trail was sort of boring.  It wound through unremarkable forest.  But after reconnecting with the old trailhead, I climbed through a mass of rhododendron bushes.  And began to see pink blooms peeping through their waxy green leaves.

Lots of green

Mirror Lake was another uphill mile.  Famous for it's stunning Mt Hood reflection, I was disappointed to find it shrouded in heavy fog.  I could barely see across the lake, let alone glimpse the mountain!

Rain-dappled rhodie blooms

I took the short trail that circled the lake anyway.  Although camping is allowed near the shore, I didn't see a soul.  The only sign of life was an extremely tame rabbit, who didn't seem to mind this camera-wielding lady.

Crossing a foggy talus slope

Beyond Mirror Lake, the trail continued another two miles to the summit of Tom, Dick and Harry Mountain.  Lacking any views, I almost considered turning around.  But...the exercise would do me good and I still had plenty of time.  So upward I went!

I couldn't stop taking flower photos

This turned out to be the best part of the entire trail.  Beyond Mirror Lake, rhodies were blooming profusely.  The trail was absolutely lined with hundreds of lovely pink blossoms. 

Lovely forest

The fog, which I'd cursed for blocking mountain views at Mirror Lake, actually made great light for photographing the green and pink colors in the forest.  And, best of all, the entire trip to the summit I didn't see another person.

No views today

Arriving at Tom, Dick and Harry Mountain's summit, I was greeted with a thick fog bank.  Nope, no views for me today!

First day of summer?

An extremely chilly wind was blowing at the summit.  I bundled up, pulling jacket hood over my head.  Lingering long enough for a couple of photos and quick snack, I decided to beat a hasty retreat to lower elevations with (hopefully) warmer temps.

This was supposed to be the first day of summer?  The weather gods must've missed the memo.

Blooms below the summit were especially pink

Back into the forest, I came upon some newly-bloomed rhodies that were an incredibly vibrant shade of pink.  Then I ran into a large group of people - the first hikers I'd encountered all morning.

Bunchberry

As I made my way back towards Mirror Lake, I noticed the fog beginning to lift.  Passing through a talus slope about halfway down, I noticed the adjacent forest and hills could now be seen. 

Clearing skies on the way down

Back at Mirror Lake, I passed by two unused campsites that were packed with rhodie and beargrass blooms.  Oh my, this warranted an extended photo stop!

Rhodie explosion at Mirror Lake

The fog was beginning to clear from the adjacent peaks.  Was I able to stick around longer, I probably would've gotten some mountain views.  But, looking at the time, I knew I had to hustle if I wanted to make my afternoon appointment.

Beargrass was also going strong

Quickly descending, I began to encounter other hikers - lots of hikers!  Seemed half of Portland had decided to visit Mirror Lake.  At first, I said hello to everyone I passed.  But as I drew closer to the trailhead, the sheer volume of people began to wear me down.  It was like a superhighway!  I got tired of stepping to the side to let groups of hikers pass.  By the time I reached the trailhead, I remembered why I hadn't hiked this trail in several years. 

Last glimpse of Mirror Lake

I reached my car right at my designated departure time.  Delayed by a traffic jam on the way home, I arrived home with just enough time to change clothes before rushing off to my appointment.  But I made it with five minutes to spare!

Glad I was able to fit in the morning trek.  Getting up early had it's advantages, with empty trails on normally popular hikes.  Although the weather was less than perfect, at least it wasn't beastly hot.  All in all, not a bad start to summer.  (But the fog can clear up anytime now........)