Hiking into the White

When: Early 2013
Trails: Dog Mountain, Angel's Rest, Herman Creek

Here in Oregon, hiking a trail in January in comparison to that same trail in July are two completely different experiences.  During the winter months, a few feet in elevation can make the difference between a bit of mud and ice, and full-on snowshoeing through waist-high drifts and snowfall. It's exhilarating and one of my favorite aspects of hiking in this part of the country.  Dog Mountain was a particularly fun experience in January of 2013 where Kino and I suddenly found ourselves trudging up through 6 feet of snow on an insanely crisp and clear day.  On the other end of the spectrum, the Herman Creek Trail in February was misty, lightly dusted with snow and coated with ice.  Both hikes were breathtakingly beautiful and goes to show that each morning you set out in those months, you never quite know what you're going to get.  Personally, I'm a fan of the mystery.

Kino, perched on the upper snowfields of Dog Mountain

Just below the summit of Dog Mountain

Kino and I taking a break on the west-facing cliffs of Angel's Rest

Winter Mists in the high reaches of the Herman Creek Trail

The Wolf in the Wild, Herman Creek Trail, 2400 ft. elev.

Sun and Snow on the Herman Creek Trail

Christmas in Cleveland

When: December 18 - 26th, 2012
Where: Cleveland/Youngstown, Ohio

The holiday season of 2012 was the first opportunity I had to travel back to Northern Ohio for Christmas.  The year before, I could barely afford bread let alone a flight back home, so it was nice to be able to see family in person that year instead of spending another holiday on Skype.
The first stop was Cleveland, where I spent the first few days catching up with friends and hitting a few old watering holes along the way, most notably Great Lakes Brewery and my personal favorite, Edison's, both of which you owe yourself to visit next time you find yourself in town.

The final half of the trip was spent in Youngstown with my family, which would also turn out to be the last nights I would spend in my childhood home.  It was a fairly emotional trip on many fronts, and I look back on that one with a heavy heart.  As much as I couldn't see it at the time, amazing and wonderful things were on their way.

Three legs: Leaving Portland, Passing over Denver, and Arriving in Cleveland

Four words: Great Lakes Christmas Ale.  It will change your world. 

The Snow hits Market Ave. in Cleveland. 

The former studios of longtime friend and colleague, Downie Photography.
Jeff will be coming out to Portland to shoot our wedding in less than 10 days. 

An Annual Tradition: One last game of Poker with the guys in the old House. 

Christmas with the Cousins: Christmas Eve at the DeToro's

Day Trip to Seattle

When: December 16, 2012

There are few people that I consider my close, dear friends, but I can easily say that my buddy Kevin is one of them. We've been through a lot together, both incredible triumphs and heartbreaking tragedies, and we've managed to maintain that bond through the thick of it after all these years.  So, when he rung me up to let me know he and his mom would be in Seattle for the weekend, I jumped in the car and headed north to spend the day with them.  The three of us stayed mostly downtown around Pike Place Market and kept the day fairly simple, but explored a few corner shops and restaurants within the market that neither of us had visited before, making for yet another unique Seattle experience. It was a quick day and before I knew it, I was driving back to Portland, but a day that was undoubtedly worth mentioning here.

Kev and I hanging out at Pike Place Market in Downtown Seattle

Autumn Hikes in the Northwest

When: Sept.-Nov. 2012

Autumn is without a doubt, my favorite time of year.  Growing up back east, the change in season was intoxicating.  Come September, the temperature would suddenly drop a few degrees, the leaves would change to such vivid colors, distant hills would appear as if they were on fire and the aromas of apple cider, roasted almonds and tailgating fires would permeate the air.  The only downfall was that it was gone almost before it began, and you'd find yourself in the bitter cold, surrounded by naked trees and sticks for the next eight months.  In Oregon, it's a little different.  The change may not be as drastic, but it definitely lasts a lot longer and the forests all boast enough evergreen to maintain some semblance of color throughout the colder months.  If it weren't for the views from the bluffs above the gorge, I may not be able to make up my mind as to which version I prefer. Or maybe I'll just let these photos speak for themselves.

October Fog atop Angel's Rest in the Columbia River Gorge. 

E Historic Columbia River Highway Bridge in October, close to Bridal Veil Falls

House Ruins in October, Columbia River Gorge

Kino and I near the Rock of Ages, Columbia River Gorge

Looking down towards the Columbia River, Trail to Devil's Rest

The Zig Zag Valley in November from the slopes of TDH Mountain

Punchbowl Falls in November, Eagle Creek, Columbia River Gorge

The Return to Astoria

When: April 13, 2013
Driving Time: About 100 minutes, one way

When I visited Oregon for the first time back in 2008, one of the places I was most excited about visiting was the small town of Astoria.  Located on the mouth of the Columbia river, this sleepy little seaside town is about as Pacific Northwest as it gets.  The salted sea air, the distant sounds of Sea Lions barking on the piers and pioneer architecture that has barely changed in the better part of 80 years all make for an ideal experience.  It was just over a year ago that I hopped into my car with Kino and spent one given Sunday re-exploring the town and some of its surroundings.  In all honesty, it won't be my last.

In front of the Goonie House: Kino, taking his shot at the "Truffle Shuffle."
I'm pretty sure he nailed it. 

Pier remnants, the Columbia River.  Washington in the distance

Astoria, Oregon

Kino amidst the long-decayed wreckage of the Peter Iredale

Kino and I getting in one last run along the coast before heading back to Portland

In Search of an Ancient: The Eagle Cap Wilderness

When: September 1 - 5, 2012
Distance: approx. 24.5 miles

Shortly after moving into Oregon, I came across an article that documented the search for a 2000 year old tree that exists in the eastern half of the state. Hidden on a remote mountain, the old gnarled and twisted Limber Pine grows as a symbol, a remnant of a time long passed.  I decided on the spot to go out in search for the tree, to enter the Eagle Cap Wilderness and hike my way over to Cusick Mountain, where the tree grows on one of the steepest pitches of one of Oregon's most remote environments, an alien landscape of granite, limestone and dark brown basalt.

My friend Josh, who I had met just a few months earlier, volunteered to accompany me on the trek. We left, packed and ready to go, early on a Friday morning and six hours later, we found ourselves embarking on the trail.  Although we wouldn't make it to the tree that weekend (due to limited time), we tackled one of the highest peaks in the region and spent three days in some of the most beautiful wilderness I've ever witnessed.

Dawn in the Columbia River Gorge.  

Walking along the Ridgeline of the Great Meadows, our goal; Eagle Cap Mountain in the distance.

Kino enjoying a mid-day swim in Mirror Lake

Kino and I heading up the last legs of Eagle Cap Mountain.  He was doing so well, but just needed that last bit of help below the summit.  

Looking out over the Eagle Cap Wilderness.  Cusick Mountain (not seen) would be below me and too my back right.  Unfortunately, it would've taken us another two days to get there.  

The Summit of Eagle Cap Mountain.  Elevation, 10,000 ft.

A Day on Saddle Mountain

Date: August 25
Distance: 5.25 miles  Elevation: 1600 ft.

In preparation for a long hike through the Eagle Cap wilderness in a few short weeks, my friend Josh and I joined up with a few friends to tackle Saddle Mountain.  I had done a lot of day hike ascents in the gorge and around Mt. Hood, but never this far out toward the coast.  This was a day of making some new friends and taking in a summit view vastly different from what I had gotten myself used to.  This is truly a spectacular hike that I would recommend to anyone near the coat with a pair of hiking shoes and a few hours to spare.

Josh and I on the midway viewpoint on Saddle Mountain

The Saddle Mountain Crew, the Tillamook Mountains in the background. 

Descending through the Trees of Saddle Mountain

Stretching our legs on the in Cannon Beach after the hike.