Hiking in December, 2020

December 30, 2020January 3, 2021 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Another gathering of late reports…

Friday, December 4th, Tracy Hill, WA

The fog never lifted, and was sometimes frozen, as we hiked past the Catherine Creek Arch, all the way up Tracy Hill, and then down again. (Hike #72, 5 miles, 1100 feet)

Looking toward our destination from the Hood River Bridge.

Passing the Arch on the way up,

and into the fog.

The frozen grasses and seed heads are pretty.

Lunch stop with no view, near the top of Tracy Hill.

On our way down – eventually below the fog again.

Frozen vernal pond.

Hiking above the Arch on the return.

Our first time crossing the new trail bridge over Catherine Creek – we used to walk back along the highway.

We always see something new here – this time, frozen grasses and a new trail bridge.

Wednesday, December 9th, Hardy Ridge and Nancy Russell Overlook, WA

The rain was supposed to stop midmorning but didn’t, so we turned back about half way. We stopped for a quick view from Nancy Russell Overlook on the way home. (Hike #73, 6.2 miles, 1200 feet)

Soggy trail to Hardy Ridge.

Soggy lichen

Nancy Russell Overlook

Columbia River Gorge, looking east.

Puddles in the trail.

Monday, December 14th, Catherine Creek, WA

We finally found the path through the inside out switchbacks on the Shoestring Trail beneath Rowland Wall, as we hiked through fog, snow, and then a surreal landscape between fog and sun. (Hike #74, 4 miles, 850 feet)

Fog ahead – we began with hopes that the fog would lift.

Looking to the east – it is sunny out there.

By the time we reached the pylons, we were in the fog.

When we dropped over Rowland Wall, we were walking through oak groves with patchy snow along our trail.

I saw a ruby crowned kinglet in the bushes.

The snow helped define the place in the path where we have lost the trail on previous occasions. Also, by hiking down instead of up, I thought we could make the connection, and we did!

Our GPS track for the day: the red circle is the place of the inside out switchbacks, developed by mountain bikers, where we have lost the trail in the past.

After lunch, we continued down, and looked behind us to see blue sky!

Continuing down toward Rowland Wall, below the fog.

We emerged out onto the grassy slopes, fog above, sun somewhere shining on the Columbia River.

Heading toward Rowland Wall.

The leaning tree and the Pinnacle.

Our path back up the wall.

Once above Rowland Wall, we could see more blue sky to the east.

Vernal pool near the trail head.

Catherine Creek Arch in the low sun.

Foliage of the bitterroot flowers of April!

Looking back up to where we have been.

Wednesday, December 23rd, Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge, WA

Swans from a distance, and an excellent view of moonrise. (Hike #75, 2.7 miles, 100 feet)

The best view of the swans in Carty Lake was from the entry bridge.

Upside down trees out in their full glory.

Moon rising…

Moon, photobombed by airplane, as we approach the bridge at the end of our hike.

Monday, December 28th, 2020, Powell Butte, Portland, OR

Cold and windy, with clear views of the surrounding Cascade Mountains. (Hike #76, 4.3 miles, 500 feet)

Mt Hood from the top of Powell Butte

Mt Jefferson

Mt Adams

Mt St Helens

Hiking in November, 2020

December 27, 2020 / margaretquilts / 1 Comment

A gathering of late reports….

Monday, November 2nd, The Labyrinth

My favorite, often visited, eastern Gorge trail on a windless day with beautiful low autumn light. (Hike #69 for 2020, 4.4 miles, 1000 feet)

Trailhead, Rowland Lake, perfectly calm and reflective. Our destination is the tall Ponderosa Pine, left of center.

The Old Hwy 8 waterfall is completely dry.

Mt Hood on view to the west across the Columbia River.

The labyrinth waterfall is almost dry…

A few drips in the mossy wall,

and some still pools below in the streambed.

We wind around columnar basalts surrounded by golden grass,

Through the oak grove.

Mt Hood still on view in the glare, as the sun moves west

We pass a favorite trailside oak tree,

Almost to our destination Ponderosa…

The eastern Gorge beyond

Rowland Wall and the Catherine Creek area slopes.

Zoom in on Lyle and Memaloose Island

Tom McCall Point and the orchards of Mosier on the descent.

The haunted oak tree bids us farewell.

Monday November 9th, Dry Creek Falls

We spotted the winter swans in Mirror Lake at the base of Crown Point as we made our way through The Gorge to Cascade Locks.

Dry Creek Falls, which we have hiked many times, is one of the closest waterfall hikes, most of the trails still being closed since the 2017 fire. Today we walked through falling Big Leaf Maple leaves lighting up the partially burned forest. (Hike #70, 4.9 miles, 1050 feet)

Bridge over Dry Creek on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Dry Creek Falls

Monday, November 16th, Finley Wildlife Refuge

Our first visit to this refuge, on a day when the Willamette Valley to the south was the only partly dry place within a two hour drive from home. Recovered farm land is a winter sanctuary for migratory birds. (Hike #71, 2.5 miles, 150 feet)

Our first stop, the Prairie Overlook:

Miles of Willamette Valley grasslands.

From there, we walked the Homer Campbell Boardwalk through a wetter terrain.

Canadian Geese near the trailhead

The boardwalk…

Marshy forests

A bird blind at the end of the winter trail.

Back through the mossy and lichen covered trees.

Another hiker told us we would see swans in the McFadden Marsh, so we headed there for our lunch stop.

Swans, geese and other water fowl.

The weather had cleared a bit, so we hiked the Woodpecker Loop trail to stretch our legs a bit more.

Along the Woodpecker Loop trail.

High point – a shelter, and view of some of the high Cascade Mountain peaks to the east.

As we began our drive home, we found the best view of the Cascades was from a road pullout above some of the historic farm buildings.

Mt Jefferson

North, Middle and South Sisters.

We enjoyed our day at Finley Wildlife Refuge – anything to get out of the house for a few hours and walk in nature. I would like to visit in other seasons, but we usually have destinations closer to home…

Ramona, Henry, and Ribsy celebrate the winter solstice

December 26, 2020 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

December 21st, 2020:

Just about noon, during a sun break between storms, in Grant Park, Northeast Portland, Oregon.

After a long walk up to Alameda Ridge, and along Klickitat Street, I passed through the park on my way home.

And to think that I saw it on Klickitat Street:

Low winter sun lighting up trees against the dark clouds.

Rose hips

Lemons

Christmas tree in the clouds.

These are the droids, and pig, you are looking for.

Knitting/quilting update and some holiday cheer.

December 11, 2020 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

December 10, 2020 – I have been both knitting and quilting away, as the days get shorter, the evenings longer. We usually watch one program in the evenings, and have made our way through the latest seasons of The Crown, The Great British Baking Show (including the holiday edition with the Derry Girls), and The Queen’s Gambit. Some of these require full attention, but the Baking show is pretty relaxed, so I can get a lot of knitting in.

I finished my Dissent Socks and another Ridge Washcloth.

Dissent Socks, pattern by Tiina Kuu

Ridge Washcloth, pattern by Hannah Maier

I joined the AdventureGnome Mystery KnitALong, and am also making one of her earlier released gnome patterns, just a little knitting on these every day.

Adventure Gnome, pattern by Sarah Schira

Here We Gnome Again, pattern by Sarah Schira

I am making good progress on socks and a hat that are holiday gifts.

Rafa’s Hat, pattern by Joji Locatelli; Artists Garden Socks, pattern by Tif Neilan

And I finished the quilting on the Plaid Rectangles Charm Quilt. I just need to add the binding.

Holiday Cheer – My knitting group, which has become an online knitting group during the pandemic, cleverly set up a holiday exchange, beginning last summer. Three of the 15 members collected twenty 10 gram mini-skeins of leftover fingering weight yarn from each member, and set up what were were promised as a Solstice Surprise, Advent Calendar, Hanukkah Miracles, or Pagan Pockets (to be ecumenical about it). They really outdid themselves, and we have been assured that they had a lot of fun doing it – despite having to collaborate remotely. I was expecting a bag with twenty balls of yarn, but instead was presented with this magnificent gift -bearing banner. Gifts in pockets, and ribbons with tied-on but hidden yarn balls. It has been so much fun to open one every day and see what my surprise is. I believe the plan is to save the banner and fabric squares for reuse in future years – so it is also a wonderful, reusable item. I am so grateful to these knitters, who I get to see twice a week on knit chat meetups, for helping to pass the pandemic time so productively and supportively.

My yarn “Solstice Surprise” banner.

10 days of surprises, so far!

I have noticed lots of cheerful decorations around the neighborhood on my walks. We lit candles for the first night of Hanukkah tonite, joining our son remotely. Our Christmas tree is up and lighted – I have yet to unpack the ornaments – that will be next.

Giant ornaments

Lawn reindeer

Roof reindeer

Star Wars heroes

Porch nutcrackers

A beautiful sunset –

reflected in the window.

Menorah

Today, the first Covid vaccine was approved – we can begin to hope for the end of the pandemic – that is probably the most uplifting thought of all!

In October we went to John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon

December 9, 2020 / margaretquilts / 5 Comments

Another socially distant/Covid careful trip. We stayed three nights in Prineville, and had two days to explore the Painted Hills and Sheep Rock units of the National Monument. Indoor exhibits were closed, trails were available for walking.

Painted Hills 10/27/2020

We walked five different short trails, each highlighting an aspect of the ancient lake beds that are exposed now as brilliantly colored and striped landforms. It was bitter cold out in the morning – well below freezing, but warmed up during the day.

Painted Hills Overlook – The main overlook has an amazing view of the Painted Hills. We walked to the upper overlook for more views.

Main overlook.

River of grass on the nearby hills.

Zooming in from the upper overlook:

Upper overlook

Painted Cove Trail – We next walked the short loop through the red hills near the John Day River.

Red Scar Trail – Another short trail that leads past brilliantly colored badlands.

Red Scar Knoll and Red Hill

Carroll Rim Trail – Our longest trail for the day (1.6 miles/400 feet) was a walk up to the Carroll Rim. As we hiked up, we could look down on the Painted Hills. From the top, we could see views in every direction.

Carrol Rim

Looking down from the trail.

View from the end of the trail.

View to the east

View to the northwest, Painted Cove area.

Close up of Painted Cove

View to the Painted Hills on the way down.

Back to the Painted Hills Overlook – for another look as the low western light added a glow to the Painted Hills.

On our drive back to Prineville, we saw a herd of deer, and a view of the Central Cascades.

Deer near Painted Hills.

Mt Bachelor, Broken Top and the Three Sisters on the horizon.

Sheep Rock Unit – Blue Basin – 10/28/2020

We first walked the Island in Time Trail in the heart of Blue Basin.

Entering Blue Basin – one of many bridges on this trail.

Ice in the creek – last time we were here there was bluish water in the creek.

Blue-green volcanic ash claystones.

One of many fossil displays along the trail.

We would be hiking on the surrounding hills later in the day.

Bench at the end of the trail.

This beautifully eroded skyline was a prominent feature.

Zooming in on the prow…

We spotted this little bird on our way out.

After lunch, we hiked the longer Blue Basin Overlook Trail (3.25 miles/ 600 feet) around the encircling mountains.

North of Blue Basin, the trail passes more blue badlands formations.

Continuing up hill…

Boardwalk over mudstone

Views to the north

Robins and juniper berries.

Eventually we reached the viewpoint over Blue Basin –

The trail circles around to the south, above the basin, giving views of the same beautifully eroded skyline I noticed earlier.

Eventually, we descended to the trailhead.

John Day River Valley.

We also took a short hike on the Story in Stone Trail, located just a few miles north in the Foree unit. We saw similar landforms there.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this remote area. We were lucky with sunny, if cold, weather. The trails were mostly empty, an important Covid consideration. Lots of fresh air and a good change of pace from our sheltering at home routines.

Margaret Quilts

Quilting, Knitting, Hiking

Month: December 2020