Plan B.5- Bagby to an unnamed waterfall solo backpacking with dog

I had an opportunity to go on a solo backpacking adventure with the dog. Plan A was to hike the Whetstone Mountain-Battle Axe Creek loop hike. I love the Bull of the Woods wilderness and was set to go out with the dog. About two miles from the trailhead we hit snow.

I decided to hike up to the trailhead anyway along the forest service road since the trailhead was the high point.

Oreo seemed excited to hike through the snow.

We enjoyed some spring Trillium peaking out near the snow along the way.

The snow was relentless! I was glad I didn't try to continue in my little smart car!

I found the snow covered trailhead.

I started down the steep hill to see if I could find the main trail but it just wasn't happening!

I headed back toward the car. Imagining the views on this cloudy day.

I enjoyed a few more Trillium along the way.

When I finished my four mile warm up and got back to the car, I thought about plan B- there was a nice little hunters camp up on the road but we still had some energy and it was too early to make camp, so I headed to the Bagby trailhead, thinking we would attempt the 7.5 miles to Silver King Lake.

I have actually never hiked this trail for fear of the crowds to the hot springs. The forest was so beautiful!

A waterfall near the beginning of the trail.

Such wonderful old trees!

We came to a viewpoint without much of a view and took a short break.

The going was a little rough with so many downed trees and soon to get rougher but we persisted!

This was the stream crossing where water was over boot level and my feet got pretty soaked.

About a half mile from the lake, we lost the trail and found snow. I started bushwacking through rhododendrons for about an hour and a half from 6 to 7:30pm. I thought that by following a creek upstream I might find the lake. I did find this pretty open marshy space. This was not the lake I was hoping for.

After many miles of hiking (about 12) and all the extra strain of bushwacking it had been a long day. I set up camp at 7:30 in a flatish space just big enough for my one person tent uphill from a lovely waterfall. I stayed outside just long enough to set up camp and cook dinner, then it was an early bedtime. I woke up with daylight about 5am, took down camp and got an early start with bushwacking through rhododendrons, using my compass to guess where I might find the trail. I rested near this little stream and had some breakfast after an hour warm up of bushwacking.

I was SO HAPPY to find the trail again! While bushwacking, I mysteriously found two unopened recently dropped granola bars that I added to my food stash. Maybe someone before or after me had also lost the trail!

On the way back I enjoyed seeing this older trillium.

I quickly came back to the stream crossing where my feet and dry socks. again got soaked. 7 miles later I was back at shower falls which marks the start of the hot springs area.

I washed my face and head in the falls. With this cold spring water that was all I was up for but it was quite refreshing.

As I hiked back through the old growth forest I noticed all the five finger ferns.

I loved the early afternoon sunlight shining through on this nurse log.

I was glad to have some solo time with the dog and am feeling strong and connected to myself and the woods, despite the 3 hours of bushwacking and snowy forest service road. Solo time gives me good energy for reuniting with family and a stronger sense of myself/ groundedness. Hope this is the first backpack of many this season!

Butte Creek Falls hike and frigid swim

Mel: On a beautiful sunny day the kids wanted a waterfall hike and somewhere they could swim so we took a family adventure to Butte Creek falls outside of Stayton to soak in the sun and water. First, we hiked up to the view point of the lower falls.

Mel- A very short hike but amazing view!

Analise- The woods. 😅😜👪👫☺👸👭💧😂💪

Analise- Fun is walking with Amy💍💎💐💰🎁👑🎀👚

Mel- Here is the upper falls where we went to play in the water from above.

Mel- Here it is a little closer up in all its glory!

Mel- I put my head under but was not willing to actually swim in the frigid water from snow melt.

Analise- Fun is playing near water! 🏊🏆🏁🎮🎤🏄🏃🏊🏊🏊🏊

Analise- Great water- lightness! 🏩🚣🚢🚤⛲⛱⛴⛵

Mel- The dog was not as sure about the water. It was WAY too cold for her!

Mel- Tug of War as a bribe for a picture!

Analise- The water was fun to play in! 🏰✔👭👯💛💋😿💕💟

Analise- I loved playing with Amy at the water. 💤💧💦💞💝💓💕💖💗💘💙💚💛💜💔

Mel- Gil joined us and enjoyed the water and short hike.

Analise- Taking a rest on the rocks.

Mel- More Tug of War

Mel- The girls and dog explored for hours!

Mel- Playing with the waterfall in the distance.

Mel- Always refreshing and it was nice to go somewhere without so many crowds on this hot spring Sunday!

Elk Creek Campground and Elk-Kings strenuous amazing and sketchy hike

We set out to Elk Creek in the Tillamook State Forest with two cars. The idea was to find a campsite, leave one car, and hit the beach. The first come first serve campground was packed but someone graciously gave us their spot when they left.

Everyone got what they needed with this adventure. Instead of heading to the beach we fell in love with little creek and spent some quality time splashing!

Amy: Proof that Analise ACTUALLY TRIED ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amy: I like to throw sticks on the fire.

Analise: Don't take my picture. I love kettles. The pump was fun to get water from.👾👼👱👱👻👯👱👧👪👫👄👀❤☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺👯

After dinner it was just me and the dog. Oreo was a little frustrated that we weren't moving but slept well in the tent. We woke up to a grey rainy morning, but I was able to break camp and cook breakfast pretty quickly.

I headed to the very steep Elk Mountain trailhead to start the loop and decided quickly there was no way I was going back that way!

Though I didn't get the amazing views, the flowers were lovely and it was nice to hike UP the 1200 ft a mile elevation gain in the cool weather.

I took plenty of breaks on the way up and enjoyed being on top of something even if I couldn't see very far.

The dog had endless energy as always and kept me moving up the hill.

Lots of Trillium.

I was proud to make it to the top of Elk Mountain- now to tackle a scary downhill section. I attached Oreo to my pack and started using training treats to reinforce the "wait" command.

I continued to see Trillium on the up and down of the ridge.

Soon I found a section with a rope where the trail was partially washed out. With both my pole and my dog hooked to me, I grabbed the rope with one hand and stepped down onto the steep slope. I hoisted the dog down with my other hand. Another hiker came upon me and watched my descent.

Soon I was climbing again to the top of King's Mountain.

More of the "wait" command with training treats followed and I found five finger ferns.

It was a long slow walk down the other side and we enjoyed the feeling of being high in the mist on the way down.

Oreo continued to have plenty of energy and was starting to get the idea of waiting on the downhill stretch.

I continued down, sticking with it. Proud of myself for the climbing both ways and enjoying the flowers along the way.

I got down to the flat part of the trail and hiked the last five miles through a beautiful forest along the creek. I can see why the elk love it so much but did not see any elk this time.

This 11.5 mile loop was the hardest day hike I have ever done. Me and the dog make an excellent team. It was great spring training for backpacking. So great to be able to spend one day with my family playing in a creek, spend the night in the tent with the dog and wake up to this excellent and challenging adventure! Win for everyone!