Can't think of any other place I'd rather be...give us a second.
Focal flowers...even the thick mist could not hide such beauty...perhaps enhancing them
In the beginning, the forest was covered in mist and low cloud
We have not climbed a mountain in a few days for a host of reasons, one being that the season is still young. Too much snow and ice in places makes it treacherous. Today we found a steep climb but from a very low elevation. That is interesting because many mountains are climbed not from the base but the trailhead. So one may climb, for example, 4,000 feet and reach an altitude of 11,000 feet whereas a 6,000 feet elevation gain might result in lesser altitude. However, you knew that.
This missive includes two mountain climbs, the more difficult one being less picturesque. Our words cover Kings Mountain mostly while the pictures are nearly all from Saddle Mountain in the mist and clouds.
Jenni reaches first peak as clouds consider dissipating
Protruding mountain top is part of the trail before summit
Back to the trail, Kings Mountain. We climbed about 2,700 feet over something less than 3 miles—there is some dispute of the distance. Suffice to say, with few switchbacks, this hike was very steep for the first mile and extremely steep over the last mile. Although we did the hike without stopping much, our muscles ached the whole way up; the perspiration ran thick and fast—an incredible work out.
Saddle Mountain is the highest in the northern part of Oregon. The cumulative gain on the day was a little under 2,000 feet, five miles return. At the outset, we thought we had chosen a bad day, weather wise, as low cloud and heavy mist prevented visuals over fifty or so feet. Fortunately, this changed close to the top. Although the view of the Columbia River was blocked, as a special bonus, we gazed at Mounts Rainier and St. Helens in the distance, an awesome sight amongst the clouds.
Mount Rainier in the distance (left) and St. Helens on the right
At Kings Mountain, most of the hike is within a forest. As we mentioned previously, the trees are thick and plenty. If we were teddy-bears and were holding our annual picnic, an Oregon forest would be just the place. They are really quite beautiful. Once we broke through the tree line, the views of the surrounding mountains which included part of the cascades were breathtaking. We realize the camera cannot capture the panoramas that we witnessed, hence our comment of less than stunning pictures. We also glimpsed at Mount Hood in the distance, a ghost-like icon covered in snow. Although we saw it clearly, apparently, our cameras had difficulty in the bright light.
'Mind the gap': Perhaps that's the real gap to mind
Cascade range on horizon creeps through clouds
We come across much ignorance we’re sorry to write. Today, along the path, lay a snake. We noticed the critter a few feet before reaching it. Usually, they slither away provided one gives them room. We stood and waited for it to leave. It remained stationary. Our quick thinking editor pulled out one of our lunch apples and offered the snake a bite, that is, of the apple. Still nothing. We gave it hints of the story of creation but it made no difference. Obviously, the earlier generations failed to relay the facts. Finally, we used a pole to move it gently to a new resting place so we could continue our climb. (Out of respect for our brother Mark, we omitted the picture.)
Hey, Misty
Nearly swimming in the clouds
On the way down, we stopped at a bench for lunch, the uneaten apples in mind. A young, ashen-faced woman arrived soon thereafter with her guard dog, a chihuahua. She explained she’d come across a bear a few minutes earlier. We hadn’t even thought about bears being in the woods. She was excitedly nervous and quite scared but nevertheless, courageous. We offered to walk down with her but she wanted to climb to the peak. We parted not before she told us about the cougars in the area, too. There we stood knowing exactly what was going through our editor’s mind, bears and cougars. We thought she was cured of those worries.
“On the way down, you stay close and tight, Jeffrey,” she commanded. It was the best offer we’d had in a long time, we thought.
Jenni at the peak
Trying each one for size in creeping mist
A hazard for lowing flying aircraft
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
A couple of pictures from the tougher Kings Mountain summit
Jenni looking out, Mount Hood towards her left (not in picture)
Rising over a slab, looking into the valley and towards the Cascades
Sometimes a couple can be three (photos)—Editor peaks, bathed in sweat
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