Christmas Eve at Dry Creek Falls, and knitted ornaments

December 31, 2019December 31, 2019 / margaretquilts / 3 Comments

December 24, 2019, Cascade Locks, Oregon

A foggy day – a good time to head into the forest. The trailhead park at the Bridge of the Gods was decorated for the holidays. We hiked in the other direction, south on the Pacific Crest Trail, and up hill away from the Columbia River. It is about 2.5 miles to this lovely waterfall that pours over a columnar basalt cliff. We had it to ourselves for lunch and a photo session. Then back down the trail, back to town, to finish up some elf work.

Bridge of the Gods trailhead

Into the foggy forest that is scarred by the 2017 fire.

Dry Creek just below the waterfall.

Dry Creek Falls

Closer views:

Still foggy on the cliffs as we drive home.

Hike #58, 5.5 miles, 1050 feet

Back home, I baked a few cookies, wrapped a few presents, and constantly rechecked the airline website as our daughter’s flight from DC was on a long delay. She eventually arrived about 1 am. Her visit for the week is the best present!

Knitted ornaments

I made a little acorn for my friend’s tree – a last minute project. I collected the acorn caps last year after seeing some knitted acorns on Ravelry. It was a very quick project, using a bit of scrap yarn.

A knitting group friend gave us all ornaments that were knitted by a mouse.

Up the Labyrinth and down Coyote Wall in fog and sun

December 24, 2019 / margaretquilts / 1 Comment

12/13/2019 Coyote Wall, Washington

Once again we drive through the foggy, rainy Columbia River Gorge to the east side of the Cascade Mountains…

Rainbow over White Salmon, from the Hood River Bridge.

Once again, we walk along Old Highway 8, parallel to the Columbia River…

Look Lake reflections.

Columbia River, Oregon beyond.

Geese on those rocks above the river.

Once again we hike up the winding trails of The Labyrinth, through layers of shifting fog.

Red Oregon grape along the trail.

Labyrinth waterfall

Fog ahead

My favorite oak grove

The sun is trying

Mt Hood’s flattish top peaking in and out at us as we go higher.

Our favorite landmark tree viewpoint – one moment in the fog,

then clear skies for a while.

Once again we hike higher, then across Atwood Road to the sudden cliff edge of Coyote Wall.

Cliffs of Coyote Wall are just beyond the oak tree

Coyote Wall, Look Lake, Columbia River.

Looking north to the upper slopes of Coyote Wall.

Eastern Columbia River Gorge.

Once again we hike down the ankle breaking bike trails, one called the Crybaby trail, while the fog layers shift and disperse.

East view from Old Ranch Road

Looking back up the wall, fog descending again.

Summer parsley.

Looking East toward the Rowena orchards.

Almost back to the Coyote Wall trailhead.

(Hike #57, 7 miles, 1500 feet)

Knitting…

Button bands on the Meris cardigan done; and about two thirds of a Rafa Hat.

Tamawanas Falls, OR

November 20, 2019November 19, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

November 10, 2019

I returned to this popular trail on the east side of Mt Hood with some trepidation, and conquered my fear. The last time I was here, in January of 2016, on snowshoes, my husband slipped over a cornice edge on the trail. He was rescued by some passing snowshoers, but then one of the rescuers slipped all the way down to the riverbank, and had to be rescued by Search and Rescue. I have avoided the trail ever since, even though it is not hazardous when snow free. I do love this trail – I saw my first Columbia Windflowers here one spring, and have enjoyed the hike many times. This day we were late for full fall colors, but saw yellow larches amid the evergreens. (Hike#52, 5 miles, 800 feet)

East Fork of Hood River, near the trailhead.

First view of Tamanawas Falls.

Lunch view, from the island in Cold Spring Creek at the base of the falls.

We explored a bit higher on side trail to Elk Meadows, and have plans to go farther in the future.

Yellow larches.

Mt Hood from Highway 35 in the afternoon.

Knitting

I finished the Spiral Cowl, and this biography of Edith Nesbit, a favorite children’s author.

Silver Falls again, knitting update, and the last of the Halloween witches

November 13, 2019November 13, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Silver Falls Loop Trail, November 1, 2019

Some fall colors still about, some frost in the canyon. Always lovely at Silver Fall State Park, Oregon. (Hike #51, 5 miles, 700 feet)

South Falls

Lower South Falls

View from behind Lower South Falls

Double Falls

Middle North Falls

Winter Falls

Frost

Knitting

I have knit past the joining on the Meris Cardigan, and the fit is good. The rows are long, so I will be at this for a while, knitting down the body.

I also finished a striped dish cloth,

and made progress on the Spiral Cowl.

The last witches of Halloween

Finally some knitting! And two new hikes…

August 24, 2019August 24, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

Flyway Twist Shawl

This shawl has been delivered to it’s recipient, so I am happy to share the pictures! The solid yarn is Malabrigo Sock in the Reflecting Pool colorway. The real star of the show is the Fully Spun colorful gradient called ‘Voices in My Head’. It was fascinating to knit with the gradient, watching the colors emerge and play against the teal backdrop. The brioche section in the middle adds variety to both the look and the knitting experience. The pattern is by Veera Valimaki, and is easily obtained on Ravelry.

Salmon River Trail 8/12/2019

We hiked with friends on a flat easy trail where we could enjoy a shady beautiful setting with lots of time to chat. This was my first time hiking this trail, near Welches on Mt Hood, and I can see why it is often recommended.

Salmon River from the trail.

Hike #39 – 4 miles/200 feet

Cheater hike on the Timberline Trail, Mt Hood Meadows 8/15/2019

I would like to walk all of the 40 mile Timberline Trail around Mt Hood. This is a section I hadn’t done yet. We rode the Mt Hood Meadows chair lift up 700 feet of elevation (thus, cheating) then began walking north along the trail, as far as Clark Creek. Beautiful flowers, creek crossings and wildflower meadows along the way.

Our cheating enabler – the Stadium Lift

Looking back as we silently rise – Mt Jefferson and a hint of the Sisters.

Aster and goldenrod meadows along the Timberline Trail.

Several small, easily crossed creeks along the trail.

We eventually reached views of ‘Pea Gravel Ridge’, a glacial moraine just beyond Clark Creek.

Pea Gravel Ridge

Downstream view of a branch of Clark Creek.

Upstream view toward a waterfall on Clark Creek.

Mt Hood, summer view

Glaciers

We then retraced our steps and walked south along the Timberline Trail until it began to descend through the woods to the White River crossing – we’ll save that for another day. We passed through beautiful meadows, under ever-present ski infrastructure and views of the mountain. We walked the mile and a half and 700 feet down to the trailhead instead of going back to the chairlift, so we only ‘cheated’ one way.

Clark Creek

Asters, paintbrush, goldenrod, false hellebore, with ski lift.

Mt Jefferson, and a very hazy view of the Three Sisters from the trail.

Tall cotton grass, aptly named, in this moist meadow.

The Timberline Trail continues down through the forest to White River, but we turned back.

GPS track (with some wandering points). Hike #40, 6 miles/1000 feet.

New or notable flowers:

buckwheat

salsify?

wintergreen

gentian

goldenrod

mariposa lily

tall cotton grass

lupine, paintbrush, aster

pearly everlasting

A few days in Paradise…

August 18, 2019August 19, 2019 / margaretquilts / 3 Comments

Mt Rainier National Park, August 5 – 9, 2019

For my birthday my dear husband planned a visit to Paradise at the height of wildflower season. We stayed in the newly refurbished Paradise Inn, authentically both rustic and lavish, perched at 5420 feet above sea level, and 8990 feet below the top of Mt. Rainier. We hiked many trails in the area from Monday evening to Friday morning, alternately focusing on the incredible wildflower blooms at our feet, and the massive glaciers looming above us on the slopes of this active volcano. We had sunny days – it was almost too warm on the shadeless trails above timberline. On Thursday the clouds rolled in below us, and we watched their flowing patterns throughout the day. I took more than 700 photos on three long and four shorter hikes. My knees and toes held out admirably. We mostly ate out of our ice chest and suitcase pantry, but had one lovely meal at the restaurant. There are not enough superlatives to describe the wonder – but John Muir’s words, carved into the stairs leading to the mountain from the Visitor’s Center, come close.

Paradise Inn

We were lucky to have a room with a view of the Tatoosh Range, immediately to the south.

Looking down from the trail at Paradise Inn and the Tatoosh Range.

Sunset view from our window.

Paradise Inn and Mt Rainier from Paradise Valley Road.

Hiking Highlights:

Hikes #34 -38, 28.8 miles, 4520 feet

August 5th – Alta Vista – An evening walk with picnic dinner at this amazing viewpoint:

Mt Rainier

Across Paradise Park, preview of the Golden Gate Trail.

August 6 – Pebble Creek and Panorama Point via Golden Gate and Skyline Trails

Edith Creek in Paradise Park

Tatoosh Range from the Golden Gate trail.

The lower humps in front of Mt Rainier are our destination.

Snow and pasque flowers along the Skyline trail.

Tiny people on the overlooks ahead.

A peek over the ridge to the barren, recently glaciated valley to the east, where the Paradise Glaciers have receded.

Lunch view, below us – Panorama Point, Paradise Park and Inn, Tatoosh Range.

Nisqually River and highway bridge.

Our high point – Pebble Creek. People planning to summit the mountain will camp at the Muir Snowfield on the high ridge above.

Mt Rainier from Pebble Creek crossing.

Looking down on the anastomosing trail system above Paradise Inn.

We walked to Myrtle Falls in the evening.

August 7 – Lakes Loop – We hiked downhill from Paradise Inn, past Reflection Lakes, then back up to the Skyline Trail. The ranger assured us the wildflowers along the return hike were incredible, and that was an understatement!

Another morning in Paradise!

Our reflections in a stream crossing.

Small waterfall along the way, in the shady forest.

Reflection Lake, a little too much breeze for the reflection today.

Hiking back up – lunch view of Reflection Lakes and Stevens Canyon from Faraway Rock.

Small reflective lake along the trail.

As we entered the meadows along the ridge, the wildflowers were stunning,

and continued to be so for a couple of miles!

I am out of words to describe amazing wildflowers at this point, but they do help to pull me along the trail when I get tired.

August 8 – Deadhorse, Glacier Moraine and Glacier Vista trails – This was a lower mileage, less elevation day. We found a bit of solitude on the Glacier Moraine trail, and more amazing flowers, including some marshy, wetland species we hadn’t seen yet.

The clouds rolled in overnight, and stayed all day at about 5000 feet, so we hiked above the clouds most of the day.

Mt Rainier had a few cloud caps coming and going.

Lush stream meadows along the Deadhorse Trail.

The Glacier Moraine trail leads to a viewpoint on the Nisqually Glacier Moraine.

Neon moss, monkey flowers, saxifrage, etc. along the damp slopes.

We are headed to the lip of the moraine.

Panorama of my view – can’t begin to take it all in!

I am sitting on the edge of the moraine, overlooking the Nisqually Glacier.

Dan taking the above photo of me as the fog creeps up the Nisqually Valley beyond him.

The fog stayed at about that level all day.

Zoomed view of Stevens Peak in the Tatoosh Range, and the Goat Rocks beyond.

After dinner we walked the Nisqually Vista trail.

August 9 – Christine Falls – On our way out of the park on Friday morning, we took the short hike to the bridge over Christine Falls.

Christine Falls

We stopped for a picnic lunch at Longmire.

Old gas pumps at the Longmire Visitor’s Center

Glacier Closeups:

Nisqually Glacier – a river of ice.

Waterfalls:

Top of the Mountain:

Muir Snowfield:

Wildlife

We saw several marmots, deer, and various birds as well as the usual marauding chipmunks.

Gray Jay

grouse posing near the trail

Marmot eating marsh marigolds near the top of the Gold Gate trail.

Marmot at a stream crossing on the Glacier Moraine trail, dwarfed by the Mountain above.

Marmot, Mt Rainier

New or notable Wildflowers

So many flowers! I tried to note all that I could identify – at least 65 different types, but I am no expert in discerning the many varieties of some of these:

pasqueflower, paintbrush, heather

arrowleaf groundsel

speedwell and heather

pasqueflower shedding petals

brief bloom of the pasqueflower

dwarf alpine gold

gentian

aster

leatherleaf saxifrage

heartleaf saxifrage

pink willowherb

lupine

paintbrush, lupine, bistort, arnica, valerian

pasqueflower seedhead

yellow willowherb

lovage

flower list

monkey flower, aster, paintbrush, saxifrage

bird beak lousewort

yellow penstemon

Mt Rainier lousewort

tolmie’s saxifrage

coiled and sickletop louseworts

fireweed

cinquefoil, paintbrush

paintbrush, rosy spirea

partridge foot, dwarf lupine

In all this was a fabulous trip! We had nearly clear views of Mt Rainier during our entire stay. We didn’t move our car all week. No internet or cell service away from the Visito’s Center. I am so appreciative of the National Park Service, and laws that preserve our national treasures such as Mt Rainier!

And a brief Look Back…

In 1995, when our boys were two and six years old, we spent a long September weekend with my Mom at Paradise. She loved the mountains, and this was her first chance to visit Mt Rainier. She was 71 years old, and not in hiking shape of late, so was proud of herself to make the three mile hike to Glacier Vista overlook, helping to guide our two young ones more than 1000 feet up the trail. This was a couple of years before macular degeneration, and then later, ALS. I thank her for taking us hiking and camping in our youth, even after our father died and she was on her own with nine children. I remember her naming the flowers – paintbrush and lupine and aster, in Tuolumne Meadows. She was a wonder woman, and I wish she was here to wish her a Happy 95th Birthday today! I hope there is chocolate cake on the other side!

Someone turned on the waterfall! June Lake and Chocolate Falls, Mt St Helens, July 4th, 2019

July 8, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

We went with good friends to the June Lake Trail northeast of Cougar, Washington, on the south side of Mt St Helens. The walk to the lake is easy, with flowers blooming along the way, and magical mirror reflections at the lake.

June Lake

Mirror reflections

View to the waterfall across the lake.

In February 2016 we snowshoed to this spot – a couple of comparison look back views:

June Lake and waterfall, July 4, 2019

June Lake and waterfall, February 20, 2016

July 2019

February 2016

Today we continued beyond June Lake, up a steep ridge, to the Loowit (around the mountain) Trail, and walked east for a ways.

Beargrass blooming at the edge of a lava flow along the trail.

Large trees

We turned back west to visit the elusive Chocolate Falls. Our well traveled companion had never ‘seen’ the waterfall, although he had been there a few times. We arrived at the horseshoe shaped cliff, but there was no waterfall.

Dry lip of Chocolate Falls, 2:44 pm.

The waterfall is now “on”, 2:46 pm.

Then some nearby hikers noticed water beginning to flow in the channel above the cliff, and lo and behold, a couple of minutes later, water was plunging over the cliff through a well-worn, polished slot in the cliff edge.

Looking upstream at the channel.

Narrow but steady stream of Chocolate Falls

Looking down at the polished slot at the lip of Chocolate Falls.

The snow fields on the mountain above had warmed enough to send fresh meltwater down the channel. Apparently this is a documented phenomenon here. To us it was a surprise, like a rainbow or a special wildlife sighting – a serendipitous moment of grace and beauty.

Mt St Helens remained slightly cloud covered, with partial views. The temperature was perfect. Our plan to take the loop trail back to June Lake for the return hike also offered a ‘surprise’. This connector trail is really only a good option in the winter, on snowshoes or skis, when the lava flow boulderfields are snow covered. It took us almost an hour to navigate the half mile connecting trail, and we were very happy not to have twisted an ankle or knee in the process.

Picking our way across the lava flow.

The unexpected elements, the waterfall and the boulder field, added to our adventures on a day suited to celebrating our nation’s commitment to protecting our wilderness areas! (Hike #30, 7.5 miles, 1500 feet)

Mt St Helens from the south.

New or notable wildflowers today:

heather

huckleberry

penstemon

rosy spirea

red lichen

beargrass

bead lily and bunch berry

harebell

pearly everlasting

sickletop lousewort

Knitting:

I have seamed and added the top edging to Le Petit Sac, and knit the icord strap.

Paintbrush and clouds at Mt St Helens, WA

June 26, 2019 / margaretquilts / Leave a comment

June 21, 2019

Clouds thwarted our plan to hike to the top of Coldwater Peak, about 13 miles round trip from Johnson Ridge Observatory, and more than 3000′ total elevation gain. Most of Mt St Helens and the Mt Margaret backcountry, where Coldwater Peak resides, were socked in for the day. We didn’t even go to the top of Harry’s Ridge, as the thick cloud layer that hovered when we arrived at the saddle seemed immovable. Instead, we added a side trip to Devil’s Point on our return hike. On the plus side, the wildflower extravaganza was superb, and the all day cloud cover kept the hiking temperatures kind. This trail can be brutal on a hot and cloudless day.

Indian paintbrush, penstemon and yarrow at the trailhead…preview for the day.

First view of Mt St Helens, with her head in a cloud, and our best view all day.

Flowers along the trail.

More flowers – dwarf lupine and pussypaws added to the mix.

Flowery foreground to Mt St Helens and the pumice plain.

Clouds on the trail

The landscape of today’s trail. We are hiking in the blast zone, and all this greenery has emerged since 1980.

Approaching the decommisioned western arm of the Devil’s Elbow trail.

Flowers and clouds

Up the new Devil’s Elbow bypass trail.

View of Spirit Lake from the top of the bypass.

Paintbrush and dwarf lupine as far as the eye can see….

Still hoping the clouds will lift…

Yellow arnica in this section

Tiny saxifrage flowers

The same tiny saxifrage covers the slope that leads to the saddle with the trail junction between between Harry’s Ridge and the Mt Margaret backcountry.

At this point, we gave up on the clouds lifting, and headed back, enjoying the flowers along the way.

We took the now dead end trail to Devil’s Point to our lunch stop.

Devil’s Point ahead.

Loowit Falls drains the Mt St Helens Crater Glacier.

Looking back, Harry’s Ridge is still in the cloud.

Lunch views from Devil’s Point:

East: Spirit Lake and the Pumice Plain.

South: Mt St Helens with cloud cap.

West: Johnson Ridge and trailhead.

As we continued after lunch, the clouds lifted very briefly:

Harry’s Ridge

The Dome in Mt Margaret backcountry partially unveiled.

Hike #29 for 2019, 7.5 miles, 1500 feet. I felt strong at the end of the hike, like I could have made it to the peak and crawled back up the hill to the trailhead at the end of the day. We will return to try another day!

Extra flower photos:

Indian paintbrush and pussytoes

Pussypaws

Bunchberry

Partridgefoot

Penstemon, dwarf lupine and paintbrush

Glacier lilies in a shaded ravine

Huckleberries

Crafting:

Knitting progress on Le Petit Sac by Pam Allen, using Sparrow linen by Quince and Co. I often have to knit the left twist rows twice 😉

I patched, mended, and reinforced worn seams on six pairs of hiking pants.

Summer sky with windows.

Lewisia and Clarkia on Hamilton Mountain, Washington

June 18, 2019June 19, 2019 / margaretquilts / 1 Comment

Hamilton Mountain trail, Beacon Rock State Park, Washington, June 14, 2019

We hiked to the top of the upper rocky switchbacks, looking for wildflowers. I have previously hiked here earlier in the wildflower season – being slightly later meant getting to see both Lewisia and Clarkia in bloom. We had cloud cover most of the day, then Mt Hood peeked out as we began our descent. Hike #28 for 2019, 6 miles, 1500 feet.

Our destination:

Hamilton Mountain from the power line trail cut.

The waterfall area:

Pool of the Winds

Rodney Falls

Below the bridge

More woods:

Up the lower cliffs and out onto Little Hamilton Mountain viewpoint:

Hamilton Mountain still ahead.

Wildflower meadows in this area:

Drying out, but full of the Clarkia called Farewell to spring, and blue-eyed Mary.

Farewell To Spring

Farther up the trail, on the rocky upper switchbacks, Columbian Lewisia clings to the cliff edges.

Upper meadows with both Lewisia and a few Clarkias up on the slope, as well as bluehead gilia, Oregon sunshine, death camas and blue-eyed Mary:

We stopped near here at the top of the switchbacks for lunch. On the way down, Mt Hood peaked out from under the clouds.

More flowers of the day:

phantom orchid

dogbane

honeysuckle

tiger lily

bluehead gilia

snowberry

stonecrop

buckwheat

death camas

taper tip onion

nodding onion and Oregon sunshine

farewell to spring clarkia

paintbrush and Oregon sunshine

taper tip onion and Oregon grapes

Columbian lewisia

campion

dog rose

Wahkeena-Multnomah Loop After the Fire – A Glorious Wildflower Explosion Amidst the Blackened Trees…

June 13, 2019June 24, 2019 / margaretquilts / 1 Comment

June 6, 2019 – Wahkeena-Multnomah Falls Loop

This area was burned by the Eagle Creek Fire of September 2017. The trails above the waterfalls were closed for over a year, then have been reopened and closed periodically since fall 2018. Instability along the trail, falling trees and sliding slopes have been valiantly repaired by our intrepid trail keepers. The trails were open today. We hiked up Wahkeena Creek and down Multnomah Creek. Much of the understory removed by fire has returned as lush greenery. It was a beautiful hike on a beautiful day, and there were sooo many flowers!!! Of course, by the time we circled back around to Multnomah Falls there were also sooo many people, but most don’t go above the Benson Bridge. I enjoyed my first foray back onto these trails. (Hike #26 for 2019, 5 miles, 1600 feet)

Wahkeena Trail

Approaching Multnomah Falls from the parking area.

Wahkeena Falls

We started by climbing past Wahkeena Falls, and up several hanging garden switchbacks to Lemmons Viewpoint:

Tiger lily blooming near the viewpoint.

View across the Columbia River

View upriver to Beacon Rock

The trail continues up Wahkeena Creek beyond Fairy Falls and onto the ridge between the drainages:

Fairy Falls

Millions of candy flowers line the burned forest floor.

The next section of trail, along the upper ridgecrest, has always felt very special to me – a quiet flat trail in the deep forest, high on a steep ridge above the river – immensely peaceful and idyllic. My first time through after the fire was trepidatious, but the trail retains it’s magical quality. Despite the scorched trees and more open view, the feeling of peace remains. These trees will all come down at someday. Today I marvel at the explosion of flowers the extra sunlight has nurtured.