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  • Is anyone out there?

    The holidays have come and gone. This website has had only about a dozen postings in the last month, so I thought that I would post something to get the discussion flowing.

    I am fairly new to Trail Advocates, having joined the trail crew back in September. What a bunch of great guys to work with. I can't remember when I have enjoyed working so much.

    I don't know if it was their New Year's resolutions or just a break in the weather, but there were a lot of hikers out New Year's Day on the Clackamas River trail #715. Almost all of the hikers stopped to give thanks for the work we were doing or had just been done recently to the trail.

    Whether I recieve gratification personally from someone doesn't matter. What I enjoy is the adventure of getting to know these mountains and their trails and maybe some of the the people who enjoy them as much as I do.

    So what do you do during these winter months when you can't get out to hike? I spend a lot more time on the computer, looking at topo maps or aerial photos trying to find where that trail might go that the FS took off the map 50 years ago. Or try to outbid someone on ebay for a 1930's FS map of the Ochocos, another area of the state I have hiked around in. On weekends I usually try to get out with my new pup and hike a little, even if it is in the rain or snow. Anytime spent out on the trail is a good day.

    Don
    Is anyone out there?
  • Re: Is anyone out there? (#)
  • 1/9/08; 8:40:42 AM ¦ by Rob Williams
  • I was wondering the same thing.....I haven't been able to get out lately, partly due to the weather, and partly due to a lack of time.  I'm hoping that I might be able to get out this weekend, though.  I have new hiking boots and a new GPS that need to get broken in...

    I'm also wondering how bad the washout on road 63 is.  I hope it isn't too bad, as there are some trails up there that I really like.  If I get out this weekend, I'll probably do some exploring.  I'm guessing there is snow up there now, since it sounds like there is LOTS of snow at any elevation over 1000' or so.

    Rob
    • Re: Is anyone out there? (#)
    • 1/10/08; 8:46:39 PM ¦ by Donald Presley
    • I drove up the Clackamas last Sunday and hit packed snow starting at the Roaring River, which is at 1000'. So I turned around and came back down the canyon a ways and explored up a side ridge looking for an old trail no longer on the maps. I didn't find the trail but had a good time. My dog and I needed to get out and get some exercise, which we did climbing up a 1000' or so. The sun actually came out for an hour or so, but that only caused the snow to melt off the trees and make it feel like it was raining slush. Upon returning home and looking over the maps, I found that I had hiked one ridge over from where I should have been. All is not lost, I know where not to look.

      I haven't seen the washout on road 63 yet, so I am no help there. I take it you must like the BOTW area to hike in. I haven't been in that area in about 6 years, when our Boy Scout troop spent the weekend at Pansy Lake and hiked around that area. I remember that we went up to the lookout and found that it was unlocked, so we got a tour of it. If they don't get the slide fixed by summer you could come down from Graham Pass, but that would make it a long way around after the snow clears.

      Don
      • Re: Is anyone out there? (#)
      • 1/13/08; 9:42:23 AM ¦ by Robert Koscik
      • That Graham Pass detour is a LONG way around!  Did that a few years back when 63 was closed for work.  Hopefully the FS will get that one fixed in the spring.  Nice up on Rho Ridge tho, I'd like to spend some time up there.
  • Re: Is anyone out there? (#)
  • 1/13/08; 9:39:22 AM ¦ by Robert Koscik

  • Hi Don, haven't been out in a while myself.  This winter has been rough!  Usually I get out at least every couple weeks, but with steady downpours haven't been in the mood to be outside.  I think I saw an ark on the way into work today...

    On a positive note it's supposed to be dry next week, that will be a nice change of pace.  

    • Re: Is anyone out there? (#)
    • 1/15/08; 6:57:12 PM ¦ by Donald Presley
    • Hi Robert, I managed to get out on Sunday and do some exploring for an old trail I have been trying to find the last couple of weeks. The day was sunny and warm and I was able to find a short segment with a couple of switchbacks coming up out of the Clackamas River canyon before it disappears into a logged off area from the 70's. I couldn't follow any trace of the trail through the old cutting with all the skid roads and disturbance, but I kept climbing up the side canyon anyways if nothing else for the exercise for myself and my dog. About three quarters up out of the canyon I decided to turn back down and wouldn't you know it I stumbled upon the trail again. I followed it down through two switchbacks before losing it once again in the cutting.I should have followed the trail further up to see if it comes out on top, but I will have to leave that for another day. Don
      • Re: Is anyone out there? (#)
      • 1/16/08; 8:30:43 AM ¦ by Robert Koscik
      • Lots of those type of trails out there, just little pieces and lots of disturbance in between.  It's frustrating but still fun to match the map with reality.  I guess it just makes the intact ones all the more exciting.
  • Re: Is anyone out there? (#)
  • 1/15/08; 5:05:48 PM ¦ by Zack Byerly
  • Thanks for all the hard work on the #715 Don. I hiked that trail on 1-5 and was pleasantly surprised to see the improvements that had been done. Did you guys also construct the new landing for the zipline on the trail side of the river? That thing looks solid. I was kind of surprised to only come across one other person on a Saturday, especially after reading your report about the previous weekend.
    • Re: Is anyone out there? (#)
    • 1/15/08; 8:28:13 PM ¦ by Donald Presley
    • Zack, almost all of the trail crew has worked on the #715 in the last month or so at some point in time. It will always be a trail in which you might have it all cleared one day and have three or four trees fall on it next. With all of those snags, numbering in the thousands from the fire just waiting for the right moment to let go, you can see why it will always be a work in progress, at least in the forseeable future.

      PGE replaced the platform after it collapsed when it was used to rescue the woman that fell off the cliff up towards Pup Creek last month.

      New Year's Day was the last time I was up on the #715, and I think that those who were out that day just wanted to start their year off on the right track. You know how easy it is stay inside this time of the year when it is all grey and stormy out. I have a new pup, so I try to get him out at least once a week and with the daylight being so short it is usually on the weekends when we get out. If I don't get him out, he'll take his frustrations out on me, my house or my yard. So we go out in the rain, the snow, or whatever, as longs as it somewhere outside. It's not only keeping him fit but me also.

      Don