With the sun shining this morning I chanced running up the river for a short hike depending on how the roads would be. It was sunny coming up the Clackamas, but turned overcast once I reached Ripplebrook and 4-5 inches of new snow in the last day or two, so I turned around and went to the Alder Flat Trailhead.
I decided this would be just a survey hike to see what needs to be cut, come spring. There were some logs down, but they could wait , for I am sure more are to come.
Never hike this trail without taking the little sidetrail to the pond. I know it needs some logs cutout, but the effort is worth it.
It was froze over but not thick enough to hold up my dog Murphy, so he played on several logs in the pond.
There was one large tree, probably 6-8 feet diameter, that had recently come down taking out another tree of 4-5 feet diameter in it's fall. It must have been one hell of a loud noise when that happened. I am just glad it didn't happen on the trail.
Nice to get away for a few hours during this busy season in our life.
Don
Thanks for the report and pictures, Don.
Kirk
So Don, I think I've only hiked this trail once, but I didn't hike the side trail. I did it several years ago wtih the family, and don't remember seeing the side trail, but I could have been distracted by the kids.
Where is the side trail? The info sheet says about .3 miles in. Is that about right? I was thinking of doing a quick hike tomorrow morning, maybe before the rain starts, and this might fit the bill. Being able to see a new pond would be a bonus...
So I ended up getting up early and doing a quick hike to Alder Flat today. I found the side trail (how did I miss it before?). Looks like there was less snow than when you went. I found the beaver dam and the trees down. I did a little pruning on the cedar that went across the last bridge, since it was rather tough to get through there. It should be a little easier to pass now. It was a great morning, and I didn't even get wet! I was surprised it didn't rain at all.
After the hike I went up road 46 some more just to see what it was like. The road is plowed all the way to the junction of 46 and 63, but there was only a few inches of snow on the road that wasn't plowed after that. It might still be possible to get to Bagby, but since it would be driving 10 miles of unplowed roads, I'm not sure…..
On the way home I thought I'd take a photo of the logjam on the South Fork that got washed out. It didn't just get a hole, it is GONE!!!
Next, on the way in, I saw something I've never seen before. I was driving slower due to the possibility of ice, and the trees are bare, so when I was passing the Oak Grove power plant, I saw something up on the hill:
What is that pipeline for? What is the little house up at the top? Is that the same pipeline you see on the piipeline road? Where does it start? It appears to go straight into the power plant.
Thanks, Don, for reminding me that a hike doesn't have to be an all day affair. This was a short, but nice hike-a great way to spend Christmas Eve morning!. Alder Flat really has some beautiful scenery on it!
Rob Williams said:
So Don, I think I've only hiked this trail once, but I didn't hike the side trail. I did it several years ago wtih the family, and don't remember seeing the side trail, but I could have been distracted by the kids.
Where is the side trail? The info sheet says about .3 miles in. Is that about right? I was thinking of doing a quick hike tomorrow morning, maybe before the rain starts, and this might fit the bill. Being able to see a new pond would be a bonus...
Rob, sorry I didn't see this posting until today. You will probably have already gone for your hike by the time you see this posting. The side trail starts just before where the placque for the trail dedication is displayed. It will take you near the pond where the beaver have a dam.
I saw a Great Blue Heron and 3 Canada Geese while I was there.
Don