February 2025…

March 13, 2025 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

The shortest month seemed very long. I went from skiing the neighborhood snow to admiring the early spring blooms. I knit, quilted, and read as productive activities to counter the political upheaval. We honored the boycots. I made progress on the recycle/repair/upcycle four-year home improvement project. And we went on two hikes.

Crafting/Home Improvement:

I started sewing these quilt blocks together

Back hall carpet installed, almost the last step in that project.

Reading – I read nine books last month, many by or about women: writers, artists, a river guide, a Supreme Court Justice. After watching the Bob Dylan movie last month (A Complete Unknown), I was very interested to read Suze Rotolo’s side of the story. She was a politically active artist. She made a lasting impression on Dylan and his music, but she wanted to pursue her own artistic and life goals, not be just another string on his guitar, his ‘chick’, who would wait for him while he did whatever, wherever in the world. I really admire her for that. There are many great, less celebrated women out there, and I plan to read more of their stories. Meanwhile, I have been listening to the early Bob Dylan music – it fits the mood of this time in the world.

The neighborhood:

February 14th – I always love a chance to get out my 35 year old cross country skis, and kick-glide for a couple of miles down the quiet, flat streets of Irvington. The snow was perfect this day! And almost completely gone the next day.

Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, our son and his fiancee were attending the Super Bowl Victory Parade! Wearing hats that I knit for them last year.

Around town – flowers and rainbows…

Rainbow seen while driving north on I-5 in Portland

Hiking –

We hiked out in the eastern Columbia River Gorge twice in February –

February 20th – Crawford Oaks, WA – We hiked about 5 miles on the Lower Vista Loop, past the full Eight Mile Creek Falls, and around the lower plateau. We saw very few early flowers and just a bit too much wind that day.

Salt and Pepper parsley, Dalles Mountain Ranch

February 27th – Memaloose Hills, OR – A beautiful, perfectly calm day. We could see the blue heron rookery on yonder cliff top and a few flowers. It was an easy, enjoyable 3.5 mile hike with dear friends.

Eastward view from the Memaloose Overlook

View to the north, with a peek at Mt Adams

Westward view, heron rookery circled in red

Trail up the south approach to Chatfield Hill

Lunch at the top, and a view to Mt Hood (photo credit to my husband).

Meanwhile, the news is worse every day – we are doing what we can, and trying to hold on to the glimmers and small victories. The daily reports of the shredding of the constitution by anti-empathic billionaires is trying every nerve, but I try to stay positive…

October 2024 chronology…

November 14, 2024 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

In the interest of keeping up, I’m posting a brief chronology of what I did in October after our visit to Mt Rainier during the first week.

Hikes and other adventures:

Portland Art Museum – Our son visited from Philadelphia, and we visited the Beatles photography exhibit during his stay…

I got my first glimpse of the extensive remodel of the Portland Airport.

Portland Art Museum – we all like the Beatles, and my husband and I are just old enough to remember the early 60’s.

Most of the photographs were taken by the Beatles during their early 60’s American tours.

Beatlemania from the inside of the car…

October 10 – Our son joined us on a hike from the East Crater Trailhead, Indian Heaven Wilderness, WA.

East Crater

Junction Lake

Small lake along the Old Cascade Crest trail

Frozen bog

October 16 – We went up to the Hoyt Arboretum in Forest Park to see the Japanese Maple, but it was still mostly green.

Vine maples changing

Japanese maple still green

October 18 – We hiked with friends in the eastern gorge, Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail, and could see over to the Catherine Creek area, where a controlled burn had spread to nearby forest.

Convict Road viewpoint

Lyle overlook, smoke from the Top of the World fire

Closer view of the fire

Wide view looking west

October 24 – Back in the eastern Washington gorge the next week, for one of those perfect fall hikes at the Labyrinth trail – colors blazing, views forever.

Rowland Lake, near the trailhead. A late bunch of poppies; destination ponderosa on the skyline.

Mt Hood on view

Hello to the trail guardian oak tree

Creek almost dry, but a few ponds in the stream bed

Oak leaves

Oak grove

Lunch view

Ponderosa near our destination…

From which we can see over to the controlled-burn area above Catherine Creek.

Going down past the ridgeline oak tree

A glorious day!

October 29 – We went back up to the Hoyt Arboretum, to see the maple tree now in nearly full color.

Meanwhile – Neighborhood walks…

Sunflower

Sumac

Shadow

Joan of Arc

GrantPark

Sumac and tupelo

Neighborhood Halloween –

Ghosts

Witches

Spider

Peanuts

Bushes with eyes

Neighborhood Hope – I am writing this in November, but we did have hope in October…all through the neighborhood.

Crafting – was mostly knitting, but also, near daily prep and painting over numerous patches in the walls from plumbing repairs.

Icelandic vest – just needs buttons

New gift hat started

Gift socks finished

Donation hat finished

Painting in progress

And I carved my Halloween pumpkin with inspiration from my kitchen sock monkey.

June 2024

July 14, 2024June 20, 2024 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

June, so far…Three hikes, watching the tomatoes grow, pulling weeds, checking off the medical and dental appointments, some home maintenance, and getting ready for travel. Then off we went to Iceland for three weeks… (See next post)

Some views from the tram plaza at OHSU:

Knitting – I’m making slow but pleasant progress on my Garter Mesh scarf, using the Linello yarn I bought in Innsbruck last summer. I enjoy watching the rainbow unfurl as I go. And I’ve got the second sock of a pair ready for airplane knitting.

Knitting in progress…

I started knitting an Emotional Support Chicken, using leftover sock yarn. So fun! This one really calls to me, even though I have other things to work on.

Garden – The tomatoes, basil, and flowers are growing – I have foiled the snails and squirrels so far. I’m hoping for an overgrown profusion of flowers and tomatoes when we return.

Tomatoes, basil and marigolds

Snapdragons, zinnias, cosmos, dahlias, and pentstemon.

Delphinium in the neighborhood

Hikes –

June 6 – Saddle Mountain, OR – We love this hike, though it seems steeper each year. The yellow monkey flowers were particularly bright this year, and I found the first of the Lewisia columbiana, just starting to bloom. All the Cascade Mountain peaks were out today.

Saddle Mountain from the trailhead, and a meadow of candy flowers

Monkey flowers along the trail

Topknot Rock

Meadows, approaching the penultimate high point.

But we still have to go down the saddle and then up to the summit; fortunately, the wildflowers pull me up.

Mts Rainier, St Helens and Adams from the top

Panorama – west to north – Pacific Ocean, Astoria

Panorama – north to east – The High Cascades: Mts Rainier, St Helens, Adams, Hood and even Jefferson in the haze south of the lower summit.

Some of the flowers:

Monkey flower and rosy plectritis

Iris

Meadow rue

Shooting stars and saxifrage

Prairie smoke

Paintbrush, viola, chickweed

Paintbrush, buttercup, checker mallow, phlox, chickweed

Lewisia columbiana

Saddle Mountain bittercress, fleabane

Tufted saxifrage

June 11 – Salmon Creek Greenway Trail and Klineline Pond, WA – One day our appointments were near Salmon Creek in southwest Washington, and we had some extra time for a walk here. It was okay – a bit too hot to walk very far on this unshaded trail, and far enough into the summer that things were getting a little weedy and dry – not a wilderness experience, but a valuable resource for locals – a swimming and fishing pond, a bike path along the creek, and nearby sports fields. We could hear lots of birds in the trees.

Bridge over Salmon Creek

Salmon Creek from the bridge

Klineline Pond

Another pond along the greenway

June 19 – Lookout Mountain, Oregon – Somehow we got the idea that this hike was accessible, and the trailhead (6000 feet) is, but half a mile and 400 more elevation feet up the trail, and it was all snow. We weren’t really equipped for that, so we spent a little time looking at the abundant shooting stars, marsh marigolds and buttercups in the High Prairie Trailhead meadow.

High Prairie Trailhead

400 feet higher – the trail disappeared under snow.

High Prairie Meadow, Mt St Helens beyond

Shooting stars and buttercups

Marsh Marigolds

On our return drive, we took a short walk on the Cook Meadows side trail that we explored last summer in July when it was bursting full of wildflowers. We saw just the beginnings of the bloom there.

Cook Meadows view of Mt Hood, June 2024

Same view, July 2023, with scarlet gillia

Some of the flowers we saw today:

Trillium, Oregon anemone

Balsam root

Jacob’s ladder

Dusky horkelia

Yellow paintbrush

The first of the season King/Coho salmon was available from a native fish market in Hood River, making our trip worthwhile, even if our hike was abbreviated.

And of course, Happy Solstice and Happy Pride Month!

Next stop, Iceland!

May 2024…

May 31, 2024 / margaretquilts / 1 Comment

May was a busy month, with a visit from our daughter being the best part. We also planted our garden, and went on several hikes (next post). I cut out some new quilt block pieces and knit on several projects.

Sewing – Emily taught us to make her famous sock monkeys, and we got a good start. We will finish during her next visit.

Emily’s Sock Monkey

Other monkeys, in progress

Knitting – I finished a shawl and one sock, and started another scarf.

Modified Chloris Shawl

One sock done, one started.

Garter and Lace Scarf made from the Linello yarn I bought in Innsbruk last summer

Quilting – Friends All Around – I cut patches for quilt blocks from the leftover Transparency Quilt fabric.

Tentative patch placement – Modern Quilt Studio – Friends All Around blocks

Garden – We planted tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, marigolds, a few other flowers….

Neighborhood Rainbow – So many things blooming in our neighborhood! I collected a rainbow on my walk one day…

Art Experiences – Emily and I visited our friend Claire’s latest exhibit in a downtown hotel. I love her ability to capture the beauty I see all the time in our favorite natural places.

Paintings by Claire Christy-Tirado

Coyote Wall

View from Timberline

We also saw this nautilus when walking around downtown.

May 30th – We took a short hike at Brooks Memorial State Park outside of Goldendale, WA, then stopped to see the latest exhibit at Maryhill Museum.

The setting…

View from the museum plaza looking …east,

South,

And west.

I was particularly interested in seeing their new exhibit, a collection of historic and new paintings and photographs, arranged in geographic order from east to west along the Columbia River. I’ve shared a few of my favorites below.

The most impressive piece was a four panel journey along the Columbia River – beautiful!

And random extras – We were served by a “robot” waiter in a Burmese Restaurant.

Robot waiter

A lovely Mother’s Day card…

Hiking, January 2024

February 5, 2024 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Two hikes in January – it was mostly too cold, wet, icy to hit the trails this month.

First Day Hike – January 1 – Columbia River Gorge and Powell Butte

The skies were blue and the sun was out! We could see the mountain as we drove east out of Portland!

But in the Gorge, the east winds were strong and cold, and fog banks covered many of the slopes. We turned around and drove back to town on the Historic Highway, stopping for views at Vista House. The winds were so strong I could barely open the car door!

Looking east – white caps on the river!

Looking west…

And Vista House.

We stopped again for a quick view from Women’s Forum/Chanticleer Overlook…

Looking back at Vista House, the Columbia River, Beacon Rock…

And then we drove to Powell Butte in east Portland, where hiking trails lead up the sides and around the top of this volcanic butte. It is also the location of an enormous covered reservoir, a main stop in the Portland water system. Lots of other people were there on this sunny first day, so that we had to hike up from the north parking lot on 148th Avenue because the upper lots were all full. But we persisted, and were rewarded, finally, with a chance to stretch our legs a bit on this beautiful day. It was a lot less windy here!

We could see Mt Hood beyond reservoir infrastructure as we reached the top.

The museum at the top utilizes pipes as part of an exhibit that explains the water system

Pipe as embedded surface art.

We made a loop to the high point on top, with better views of Mt Hood,

and Mt St Helens.

Eventually, we returned down the Blackberry Stairs to our car, after a 3.5 mile hike.

Thus we began the New Year as we mean to go on, with weekly hikes. Nature got a little bit the better of us in this regard…there was snow, ice, and below freezing temperatures for a week, and then a fair amount of rain. But I did get out for one more hike in January – to see the eagles!

January 23 – Balfour-Klickitat Natural Area, and Coyote Wall, WA

There was a lot of snow all through the Gorge, and more than I expected in the eastern Gorge. It was quite beautiful, and not as cold as it had been. We drove over the Hood River Bridge to Washington…

Looking east from the bridge

The views across the Columbia River from the Chamberlain Lake Rest Area on Hwy 14 were sparklinging in the sunlight!

We reached The Balfour-Klickitat Natural Area, just west of Lyle, and found that the parking area had not been plowed. We parked just below, on Hwy 14, and walked up along the Klickitat River on a snowshoe trail. We wore microspikes on our boots to assist our grip on the six inches of snow.

Looking back across the Columbia River from near the parking area.

Walking along the Klickitat River Trail

Klickitat River

A perennial stream enters the Klickitat River on the west side of this little lake.

We reached the overlook to the lake where bald eagles congregate this time of year, and there they were! We counted about 25 different eagles over the course of our observations.

The white plumage of bald eagle pops out against the gray tree branches across the lake.

Closer view

Another one

We noticed these two on our side of the lake…

Zooming in…

The more we scanned the landscape, the more we saw, though the brown juvenile birds are harder to see. Then we noticed a snag in the distance that was covered in birds!

Distant snag, circled in blue

Zooming in. Birds were coming and going. There are also three perched in the trees to the left of the snag.

Nine eagles perched on the snag in this view.

There were also ducks down on the lake, and flying about…

Ducks

Eventually the fog started rolling in, so we returned to our car.

Fog

Goodbye to the eagles for this year.

It is always a treat to see them before they return to Canada.

We drove back west on Hwy 8, planning to walk at Catherine Creek, if possible, but it was completely fogged in. We sat in the car, eating our lunch and hoping the fog would move on, but no luck.

Lunch view at the Catherine Creek Trailhead.

We continued west to the Coyote Wall Trailhead, once again parking near Hwy 14, because the parking area was not plowed. We walked under the cliffs, and along Look Lake to the frozen waterfall, and then turned back, as the fog was beginning to settle here, too.

Looking toward Coyote Wall from the snowplow berm near Hwy 14.

Our path along the old highway under Coyote Wall

Looking back toward sunlit cliffs at the top of Coyote Wall

Look Lake

Sunlight in the melted lake ice

Frozen waterfall

Waterfall icicles

Fog rolling in ahead…

View over Look Lake as we walk back westward.

We had seen enough for the day, and it was time to warm up again.

View to the west as we drove back over the Hood River Bridge. Even the sandflats out along the Hood River Delta were covered with snow.

We will be back next month to see the first spring wildflowers after the snow melts.

December 2023 – all about the light..

January 2, 2024January 2, 2024 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

December is a month for hibernating, preparing for holidays and family visits, rooting for the solstice, and trying to get all the knitting done for holiday gifts. I only went on two hikes this month.

Early December...sun getting lower, shadows longer, I was counting down to the solstice with two advent-style knitting projects and a few walks on dry days.

Pro Palestine march passing our house

A little bit of knitting every day on the stocking and the mystery gnome…

Arne and Carlos Mystery Stocking

Imagined Landscapes Mystery Gnome

Hanukkah was early this year. We lit candles and had friends over for latkes on one of the nights.

December 12 – Hike – Lyle Cherry Orchard Discovery Trail, WA – We hiked the 4.5 mile loop on an overcast day – taking in the views and getting some good exercise.

Looking east as we ascend

View west from our lunch stop

Circling back below the Lyle town sign

And almost back to the Convict Road.

December 15th – We passed Joan of Arc on our way to lunch and bead shopping with the knitters…

December 20th – Hike – Dry Creek Falls, OR – Another dry weather window – we hiked a past Dry Creek on the Pacific Crest Trail to one of the pinnacles, but not all the way to the main pinnacles. It was a good seven mile hike.

Starting up the trail at Cascade Locks.

The pinnacle near our lunch stop. All the forest we have hiked through today has 2017 burn scars

Slight view across the Columbia River from our lunch stop.

Back to the PCT bridge over Dry Creek,

and upstream a short way to the falls —

Dry Creek Falls, pouring out of a notch in the columnar basalt.

They are quite beautiful!

Splash pool at the base.

And back at the trailhead, the park at the Bridge of the Gods is adorned with festive light displays.

On the Solstice, I took an enjoyable walk through the neighborhood – happy to know that longer days are ahead.

Christmas week – House guests, finishing the knitting, decorating the tree, wrapping and unwrapping presents, tamales on Christmas Eve and dinner with friends on Christmas day. A little bit of baking, but not too much. It was a relaxed and enjoyable week.

Tree decorated

New ornaments – from Italy and New Zealand

With gifts

Stockings

New books, bowls, and glasses

Trifle of Christmas

Dog of Christmas

Emily and Izzy at Multnomah Falls

Some of the Knitting:

Finished stocking

KC hat for Rachel

tiny cat for nancy

Hat for Izzy

Socks for Dan

Socks for Emily

Socks for Brian

Snow Matter What gnome and snowman

The month ended with more clouds and rain. I found a version of the Christmas story on instagram that resonates with me for its inclusiveness, and the reminder that although history repeats itself in terrible ways, there are always people who step up and help.

Weak sun through clouds

Rain wet streets and sparkling lights

Message of hope

November 2023 Hikes

December 14, 2023 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

We had five walking adventures in November, four in the wilderness and one in town.

November 1 – Deschutes River Trail, OR –

We’ve taken this trail many times, especially on days like today when it is raining everywhere else within a two hour drive of home. This area had a fire several years ago, and another brush fire last summer, which we could see evidence of along the way.

Deschutes River near the trailhead

Looking upstream as we walk uphill towards Ferry Springs.

Looking downstream toward the confluence with the Columbia River.

Approaching the Ferry Springs crossing.

Ferry Springs – burned by a brushfire last July.

A few wildflowers flowers hanging on.

View upriver from our lunch spot near the rock arch.

Walking back along the Blackberry Trail, the Columbia Hills appear like a mirage from the mist.

Sumac

Heron

And the rain didn’t start until we were on our drive home (5 miles, 500 feet).

November 8 – Portland Arboretum and Crystal Springs Garden, Portland –

We wanted to see the beautifully curated gardens, including the spectacular Japanese maple, at Portland’s Japanese Garden in Washington Park. On this sunny Wednesday it seemed many had the same idea. The parking lots were packed and lots of people were walking toward the garden entrance – it seemed less than ideal. So we drove around to the other side of the park to the Arboretum, and there found a beautiful Japanese maple and many other trees in excellent fall colors with much less crowded paths.

White Mexican Orange flowers near the Arboretum headquarters.

Walking toward the Maple Trail…

Approaching the sumac grove

Sumacs

A selection of leaves and berries…

And a beautiful Japanese Maple…

After lunch, we decided to check out the fall colors at Crystal Springs Garden, on the east side of town. It was also beautiful there, with colorful reflections in the lakes, and also not very crowded.

We passed the Portland Tram, that I rode in last week, on our way across town.

A pink azalea blooming very late

Japanese Maple near the entrance

Northern lake, with technicolor reflections…

Cherry tree

And another upside down tree

Crossing over to the southern part of the garden…

Ducks on a log

Party meadow

Waterfall

The reflections in the southern lake were mesmerizing…

November 14 – Cape Horn, WA –

It has been a while since I have walked the full seven mile loop, but we decided try it on this windy day (7.4 miles, 1460 feet).

We started clockwise, downhill, a one and a half mile roadwalk.

Highway 14 viaduct across Cape Horn above.

Crossing the lower scree slopes.

Lower cliffs, upstream view to the Needle and Beacon Rock

Several hundred feet higher on the trail – one of the viewpoints that has had a wall and viewing platform added in recent years.

Upper viewpoint to the east along the Columbia River.

Through the woods near the top of Cape Horn.

View to the south from the uppermost viewpoint.

Whitecaps on the Columbia River below, and a horse in the meadow.

View to Silver Star Mountain, to the north, as we switchback down to the Salmon Falls Road Trailhead.

November 20 – Horsetail, Ponytail and Triple Falls, OR –

This trail is in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge waterfall zone, and was very hard hit by the 2017 fire. We have not been on this trail since before the fire, but had seen recent trip reports that the trail was repaired and open, so went to see how it fared. We hiked the clockwise loop, starting at Horsetail Falls, then up hill to Ponytail Falls, then across Oneonta Gorge, past the Oneonta Falls, then uphill to Triple Falls, and circling back down to the Highway, and to our start point. We walked through a lot of burned forest, and across several repaired trail sections. The very cliffy trail up to Triple Falls had several obvious washouts that had been repaired, but seemed somewhat fragile. With the local downpours last week, I would not be surprised if the trail were washed out again. (5.0 miles, 1000 feet).

Horsetail to Triple Falls trail

Horsetail Falls

The trail ascends the cliffs above the falls

Top of Horsetail Falls

Ponytail Falls – the trail passes behind the falls

View from behind the falls

Looking back at Ponytail Falls

Looking east at the viewpoint before heading up to Oneonta Gorge

Westward view from the viewpoint

Heading upstream toward the new bridge over Oneonta Gorge

A peak from the trail down into Oneonta Gorge

Crossing the bridge

View down stream from the bridge

Middle Oneonta Falls upstream from the bridge

Looking down at Oneonta Creek from Oneonta Trail

Burned forest on the slopes above Oneonta Creek

We reached the Triple Falls viewpoint after walking along the repaired trail through the severely burned forest. For comparison, I’m adding a similar view from September 2013.

Triple Falls, Nov. 2023

Walking back along the Oneonta Trail through the burned landscape.

Circling back along the highway, toward the Oneonta Tunnel, which was completely burned in 2017.

View from the tunnel bridge up the Oneonta Gorge, trail closed since before the fire because of hazardous log jams in the gorge.

Back to Horsetail Falls.

November 28 – Hummocks and Boundary Trails, Mt St Helens, WA –

We have hiked the Hummocks Loop here a few times, but gone farther along the Boundary Trail toward Johnston Ridge one other time, in May of 2020, when they first reopened the trail after the initial pandemic shutdown. We encountered only a few other people out on the trail today (5.7 miles, 1100 feet).

Welcoming party at the Trailhead – white tail deer, Mt St Helens beyond.

Walking along the lakes that have formed between the hummocks.

Partially frozen lake

Frost on the trail

The famous upside down log, still in depositional position from the eruption in 1980.

View of Mt St Helens from the trail junction with the Boundary Trail.

The trail rises above the hummocky plain, and switchbacks up Johnston Ridge, past sheered-off tree stumps, to the ridge crest. From the top are views in all directions, and we can see the mountain all the time.

To the north – Coldwater Lake and Visitor Center.

Eastward panorama – Mt Margaret backcountry and Mt St Helens

Some closer views:

Mt Whittier

Coldwater Peak

Zoom in on the volcano monitoring equipment on top of Coldwater Peak

Mt St Helens Crater

Mt St Helens – snowy high point

Toutle River Valley

Here is a set of photos from nearly the same spot on the ridge, one from May of 2020, when the hillsides were green:

November 28, 2023

May 27, 2020

Heading down, I realized we had a good view over to the Windy Pass area on the east side of the mountain, which we were looking toward from the south side on our hike to June Lake in October.

Shadows growing long in the crater as we hike down.

Closer view of the Windy Pass area

And an excellent view of some of the hummocks in the afternoon light.

Back at the Boundary Trail Junction

The top of the mountain is glowing.

We stopped on our drive out at the Castle Lake Viewpoint for a last look at the area as the sun was setting…

Castle Lake Viewpoint

October 2023 adventures…

November 15, 2023 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Our five hikes in October ranged from urban Portland, to wilderness areas at Mt St Helens and Indian Heaven, and to our reliable dry trails in the eastern Columbia River Gorge in Washington.

October 1st, Oaks Bottom, Portland

An oft-repeated sunny walk around the Willamette River bottomlands just south of downtown Portland. Not much wildlife today, but there was new artwork on the railroad underpasses since the last time we were here (3.4 miles, 150 feet).

New artwork on the southern railroad underpass

We could hear the screams from upside down people at Oaks Park today.

View of the giant mural and the lake along the bike path.

A few cormorants

New artwork on the northern railroad underpass,

on both sides.

Early fall colors and

reflections in the lake.

The train, and the hills of SW Portland.

October 4, Indian Heaven, WA

We repeated one of my favorite loops in Indian Heaven, from Thomas Lake to Rock Lakes, to the less trodden path through the lakes and high huckleberry meadows along the Old Cascade Crest Trail (6.4 miles, 750 feet).

Colorful foliage from the trailhead on…

Thomas Lake

Heather Lake

Mt St Helens from the viewpoint above Eunice Lake

Mt St Helens

High meadows of huckleberry foliage

Naha Lake

Reflections

More reflections

Bright red foliage

High meadows

A glimpse of Mt Adams through the trees

We arrived at our lunch stop, Rock Lakes.

Rock Lakes

Rock crossing

Reflections

Moss

More red

After lunch we continued a little farther east, then south through the high meadows and unnamed lakes along the Old Cascade Crest Trail – all water reflections and colorful foliage. A delight! These are just a few of the images.

Unnamed lake

Magenta foliage, with a few last huckleberries

Lakes and huckleberry bushes along the trail

South toward Gifford Peak

Looking back at partly burned East Crater

Gradients of color in the foliage

And in the reflective lake water…

Monet water

We also caught a glimpse of Mt Rainier through the trees on our return hike…

Eastern flanks of Mt Rainier, and the Tatoosh Range?

On our drive home, I took this photo as we crossed the Bridge of the Gods. The burned zone in the Gorge is starting to look like fuzzy grey hair on the slopes.

Crossing the Bridge of the Gods, looking toward Oregon.

October 12, June Lake, Mt St Helens, WA

Our only new hike this month. We have been to June Lake before, but this was the first time we continued to the east on the Loowit Trail, the 30 mile loop around Mt St Helens. The mountain top remained covered in clouds all day. We saw fall colors on the slopes below the snow line (6.5 miles, 1200 feet).

Trail map

The first mile through the forest along June Creek is relatively flat.

Glimpse of the cloud-covered mountain from near the trail head

Approaching the lava flow that has dammed the creek to form June Lake. Tiny hiker on the lower left.

June Lake

Lower cascade

Reflections

Fall colors mirrored

More reflections…

More Monet water

Past June Lake, the trail ascends steeply to join the Loowit Trail around the mountain. We went eastward this time, through forested trail, and over the toes of lava flows, ascending to an eventual viewpoint of the mountain.

Lava flow along the trail

A view of the mountain flank

View from our lunch stop, where we waited for sun breaks to illuminate the fall colors.

Huckleberry oranges and reds. The Ape Canyon trail junction is in the notch

Colorful foliage on lava flows… the trail continues through here, but we did not take it today.

Volcano monitoring equipment

Snowy slopes

Mt Adams occasionally appeared behind the clouds to the east.

Mt Adams

We returned back over the lava flows…

Loowit Trail over the Worm Flows

Larch trees glowing golden in the autumn sun.

Some of the trees and plants…

Mushroom

Partridge foot

Mushroom

Old growth trees

Huckleberry foliage

Vine maples

Coral root

Penstemon and pearly everlasting

Bunchberry

A branch of Swift Creek at the base of the Worm Flows

Mt St Helens today, still capped by clouds as we drove away.

Mt St Helens from FR 83

And a lookback comparison of June Lake from previous trips, autumn, summer and winter…

October 12, 2023

July 4, 2019

February 20, 2016

October 17, Labyrinth Trail, WA

Another visit to one of our favorite viewpoints on a dry day in the eastern Columbia River Gorge (4.2 miles, 900 feet).

Up the basalt labyrinth

Oregon grape

Buckwheat, eastern view

Rose hips, ponderosa viewpoint

Lunch near the ponderosa

Return trail; Mt Hood and the oak tree

Oak grove

Columnar basalt mesa

Looking down the labyrinth

Raptor above the cliffs

Greeting one of my oak tree friends on the way down.

October 27, Coyote Wall, WA

A walk with friends up the basalt cliffs and down the dry meadows of the eastern Gorge (5.8 miles, 1230 feet).

Bald eagle above the Columbia River

Dry slopes above Coyote Wall

Looking across to the Oregon side, the orchards of Mosier

Oak trees

Oak leaves

Cloud mirror to the east

Coyote Wall

Looking east toward the Labyrinth

Walking back along Look Lake

Coyote Wall

Hiking in August 2023…

September 14, 2023 / margaretquilts / 1 Comment

We had five outdoor adventures in August.

August 1 – Bird Creek Meadows, Mount Adams, WA

The hiking trails in the Yakama Nation Track D were opened earlier this year, in good time to see the lush wildflower meadows the area is famous for. We repeated the loop we hiked in September last year, this time seeing the full midsummer display.

We began again at Bird Lake:

Mt Adams and Bird Lake

Bird Creek Meadows hike track

We started uphill through the burn zone toward Bluff Lake, lush flowers along the trail:

Bluff Lake

We continued upward toward the Trail of Flowers, passing Staircase Falls on the way.

Wildflower meadows all the way up.

Staircase Falls

Remnants of the picnic area along the Trail of Flowers

We continued upward, along trails through dryer slopes, also lined with flowers, to the Mt Hood viewpoint.

Mount Hood to the south

Continuing upward, through more wildflower meadows, to the Hellroaring Viewpoint…

Elephanthead lousewort in the meadows on the way to Hellroaring Viewpoint

Mt Adams from Hellroaring Viewpoint

Hellroaring Falls

Top of Mt Adams, with glaciers

We returned down, then west along the Round the Mountain Trail, then down to Crooked Creek Falls, through wildflower meadows all the way…

Crooked Creek

Approaching Crooked Creek Falls

Crooked Creek Falls

We completed the 6 mile/1000 foot loop, hiking back down through the burn zone, and back to Bird Lake.

These meadows were beautiful in their fall colors last year, but I am glad I got to see them in full summer wildflower bloom again!

August 8 – Vista Ridge, Mt Hood, OR

Another trip up to Wy’east Basin from the Vista Ridge Trailhead, one of my favorite hikes on Mt Hood.

Hiking up Vista Ridge through the burn zone, trail lined with pearly everlasting.

Panorama view of Mt Hood, the Pinnacle, the Dollar Lake Fire burn zone

Coe Glacier, Mt Hood summit

At about 5600 feet, we came across patches of avalanche lilies and beargrass, and the beginning of the alpine flowers.

Beargrass

Avalanche lilies

Heather and beargrass

More alpine flowers:

avalanche lilies

lupine

paintbrush

pasque flowers

We reached the Timberline Trail, then continued a little further uphill into Wy’east Basin, admiring the flowers.

Looking north from the Timberline Trail towards Mt Adams

Looking up toward Mt Hood and Barrett Spur

Shooting stars

Partridge foot, paintbrush and heather

Eventually we returned down Vista Ridge. The fireweed was just beginning to bloom, and we noticed lots of new fir trees in the burn zone.

Vista Ridge

Fireweed buds

Tiny fir tree

Golden rod and fireweed

Mountain ash berries and fireweed – I love the color contrast!

And of course I greeted my favorite haunted trees!

August 16-18 – Beach Walks, Cannon Beach, OR

A HOT week in town! On fairly short notice, we were able to book a room for two nights in the Tolvana area of Cannon Beach. The room was expensive, even though the view was to the backside of Mo’s Restaurant. However, it was within a short walk or drive to some of our favorite beaches. Our timing for low tide wasn’t great – around sunrise and sunset, but we made the most of our three days on the coast.

Our first afternoon, sunny and beautiful, we walked south from Tolvana Beach:

Our first pod of pelicans

sand plovers

Our favorite pizza restaurant. We bought a pie big enough to feed us for two dinners!

South Cannon Beach

After dinner, we walked north to Haystack Rock as the tide ebbed.

Haystack Rock

anemones

sea stars

The Needles, photobombed by a sea gull!

We saw more pelicans and a lovely sunset:

Pelicans again!

The next day, during high tide, we hiked at Oswald West State Park, out to Cape Falcon…

Into the woods toward Cape Falcon

Looking south from Cape Falcon

Zooming in to the southern headlands

Pelicans on the headlands

Looking down to surfers at Short Sand Beach on the return hike…

The trail is a bit rooty…

Then we drove south to the Neahkahnie Lookout above Manzanita, and as always, paused to say, “Thank You!” to Oswald West, for preserving access to our beaches!

Then we took the short walk to Devil’s Cauldron Overlook, and looked back north to Cape Falcon.

Devil’s Cauldron and Cape Falcon

More pelicans on the headlands near Devil’s Cauldron.

After a second pizza dinner, we took a long evening walk to the south toward Silver Point.

Silver Point in the distance

The kids always called it “Big Starfish Rock” because we found so many sea stars the first time we went there.

Low tide

Oyster catchers

The Sphinx of Arcadia

The next morning, after packing up, we visited another favorite beach, Hug Point, even though the tide was coming in.

Hug Point Beach

We could see the tide coming in at the foot of the road that is carved into Hug Point.

My husband opted to wade through, and visit the point.

I visited the nearby waterfall, still a favorite spot for children…

Hug Point stream meets the sea…

We turned and walked south toward Arch Cape, along the lovely wide beaches where we spent many family holidays.

South toward Arch Cape

Big Barnacle Rock and Castle Rock

The Cave

Before driving inland, we stopped for a picnic lunch at Ecola Point, and for a last look at the beaches we had visited. We had walked almost 20 miles on the beaches and headlands within this view, and enjoyed our time on the edge of the continent.

August 22 – Wildwood Trail, Portland, OR

On a hot day we hiked a three mile loop on the Wildwood Trail in Hoyt Arboretum.

Into the woods, looking for shade.

Found some on the Redwood Trail

Vine maples

Took a rest on the Redwood Deck.

Tupelo trees beginning to turn near the archery grounds

No view of Mt Hood from the Viewpoint

Asters

Beech seedpods

Beech trees in the Winter Garden

August 31 – Coyote Wall, WA/Multnomah Falls, OR, in the rain

Our son visited from Philadelphia, and brought a friend. She had never been here before, and as luck would have it, her week coincided with a spell of old school Portland summer – lots of overcast and/or drizzly days, which seem to be more of an anomaly in recent years. She didn’t even see Mt Hood until the day she flew home. We drove to the eastern Columbia River Gorge to look for sun, and took a slightly rainy hike at Coyote Wall.

Coyote Wall – not crowded today!

Looking east across the golden grasslands

Looking down over the wall at our trailhead

Turnaround point – we went about 2.5 miles, round trip.

Silvery buckwheat among the golden grasses

We made the mandatory stop at Multnomah Falls on the way home; still a bit rainy, but also, relatively uncrowded as a result.

Multnomah Falls

June 2023 – so far…

July 14, 2023June 19, 2023 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Hikes

June 1st- Tom Dick and Harry Mountain on Mt Hood – I hadn’t been up here in a while – there was still a bit of snow, mostly on the lower trail through the forest, and around the far side of the lake.

Skunk cabbage and snow on the lower trail

Camp Creek

Mirror Lake

Trillium just blooming

Mt Jefferson from the upper trail

Mt Hood and Mt Adams from the summit

Mirror Lake and Mt Hood on view during lunch, which I did not share with this persistent ground squirrel

Last view of Mt Hood as we descend.

June 6th – Hardy Ridge, WA – We started this 2000 foot hike in the cool of the morning, and there is a lot of shade along the way, but it got up to 90 degrees by the time we finished. Too hot to go all the way to Phlox Point. We had lunch in the one shady spot near the first viewpoint above the ridge crest.

Anemones were among the many flowers blooming in the shady forest.

Mariposa lilies and paintbrush on the sunny ridgecrest

Mt Adams on view just beyond our lunch stop/turnaround point

Splendid view from the ridge crest: Mt Adams, Table Mountain, Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, Hamilton Mountain (which we climbed last week) on the near right, and Mt Hood on the far right between the two trees.

June 12th – Wahkeena – Multnomah Loop, Oregon – Another trail I hadn’t been on for a while. Plenty of water in the falls, abundant greenery and wildflowers blooming, and lots of people near Multnomah Falls .

Entering the Multnomah Falls viewing zone. We turned right, and started walking the loop counterclockwise.

First stop – Wahkeena Falls.

Up to Lemmons Viewpoint, with a panoramic view across the Columbia River to Washington.

Continuing up Wahkeena Creek – lots of monkey flowers.

Fairy Falls in the bright sun.

Foot of Fairy Falls.

Salmon berries near the trail junction/lunch stop.

Cool waters near Wahkeena Spring

The next section of trail follows a nearly level contour through the forest high above the river. I have always experienced a great sense of peace walking through here.

Eastward between the two creeks

Columbine

Tiger lilies and peas

Iris

Even with burned trees I find this trail section so peaceful.

Next, the trail leads down Multnomah Creek, passing three other waterfalls before Multnomah Falls…

Top of Ecola Falls

Wiesendanger Falls, with a few people enjoying the beach

Dutchman Falls

Almost to Multnomah Falls – mock orange and a view to to the Columbia River

Lower Multnomah Falls and Benson Bridge – the top destination for many visitors.

Upper Multnomah Falls, in bright sun, from Benson Bridge.

Bottom of the Upper Falls

Multnomah Falls from the viewing plaza.

I always enjoy this hike – not too hard, and lots of peaceful forest above the waterfalls.

In town…

Summery things – roses blooming, farmer’s market salads, shadows and quirky neighborhood adornments…

Our roses all bloomed at once!

First summer tomato salad

Summer sky

Summer shadows

Whimsical garden post

June 4th – Peninsula Park Rose Garden, NE Portland – I have wanted to see this garden in full bloom, and since our roses had burst out, it seemed a good time…

Plenty of people enjoying the sunshine and roses!

Knitting

Starting things – A new pair of traveling socks, a new donation blanket, and a new shawl…

Socks

Meadowland blanket

Shawl

Quilting

Not starting things…I was planning to start the next Modern Quilt Studio Mystery Quilt, but life got busy. I have fabric, and hope to start in July.

Batik fat quarters for my next quilt…

June 7th – Portland Modern Quilt Guild Rainbow Quilt Show at Powell’s Books – I just happened to come across this colorful and inspirational show on my first visit to Powell’s in a very long time.

A few of the quilts on show…

And since it is Pride month, I will end with this heartbreakingly aspirational meme.

The rest of my June adventures will be in the next post.

Margaret Quilts

Quilting, Knitting, Hiking

Washington

February 2025…

Crafting/Home Improvement:

The neighborhood:

Hiking –

October 2024 chronology…

June 2024

Hikes –

May 2024…

Hiking, January 2024

First Day Hike – January 1 – Columbia River Gorge and Powell Butte

January 23 – Balfour-Klickitat Natural Area, and Coyote Wall, WA

December 2023 – all about the light..

November 2023 Hikes

November 1 – Deschutes River Trail, OR –

November 8 – Portland Arboretum and Crystal Springs Garden, Portland –

November 14 – Cape Horn, WA –

November 20 – Horsetail, Ponytail and Triple Falls, OR –

November 28 – Hummocks and Boundary Trails, Mt St Helens, WA –

October 2023 adventures…

October 1st, Oaks Bottom, Portland

October 4, Indian Heaven, WA

October 12, June Lake, Mt St Helens, WA

October 17, Labyrinth Trail, WA

October 27, Coyote Wall, WA

Hiking in August 2023…

August 1 – Bird Creek Meadows, Mount Adams, WA

August 8 – Vista Ridge, Mt Hood, OR

August 16-18 – Beach Walks, Cannon Beach, OR

August 22 – Wildwood Trail, Portland, OR

August 31 – Coyote Wall, WA/Multnomah Falls, OR, in the rain

June 2023 – so far…

Hikes

In town…

Knitting

Quilting