Southern Oregon Exploration

Lost Creek Lake

Headed down to the Rogue River this past weekend to help the family own up the cabin for the summer. We had family coming from the Bay Area, Sacramento, Eugene and Portland all converging just outside Medford, Or.

The goal of the weekend was to clean, purge and renovate. The girls cleaned and purged the house, while the boys cleaned the sheds and handle the yard. Many trips to the dump later and many chords of wood later, the cabin was starting to come back to life. We also spent most of Sunday staining and waterproofing the outside of the cabin by hand. But with 7 guys on the job, it was quicker than expected.

During this time, I took the liberty of running around Lost Creek Lake via a portion of the upper Rogue River Trail. Had I come one week later, I would have been able to race the Lost Creek Lake 30k. Just missed it. Overall the trail was very flat, with large sections of paved single track around the State Campground. I really enjoyed the first half of the run due to the change in terrain, warm weather and relative solitude.

The second half of the 20 mile run didn't go as smoothly due to a number of potential culprits.

1. I didnt eat very well the day before or have a very substantial breakfast
2. I had a few beers the night before
3. I tossed and turned all night
4. My body wasn't used to such a flat, faster course
5. Elevation (It was only 2000ft, so this is a weak excuse)
6. Heat (It was only high 60s, also weak excuse)

In the end, I think 1 and 4 were the primary reason for a subpar performance. Didn't have enough fuel in the tank, and I was running faster than normal due to the flatness of the course and my body, mainly my glutes, werent having it.

Staircase to Atlantis

I'm sure this bridge has a name. I just don't know what it is.

Red Bells, aka complete guess

Shooting Stars

Giant pine cones. From sugar pines..? made that up too.

Lots of scrub oak and grasslands. Very pretty

Post run relaxation at the cabin.

On the way home from Medford, I need to get a few more miles in so I decided to explore some trails on the way home. Unfortunately, not too many were close to the highway so I settled on the new North Bank Habitat, just north of Roseburg. In the end, the "trails" were all old overgrown roads and the "trails" were very popular with the horseback riding crew so they were very rutted a muddy in place. Despite that I saw no one and the scenery and views were amazing. Havent really ever spent much time in the grassland hills/ scrub oak / madrone landscape. The "trails" were very well marked with signs and maps in most major junctions.

Rolling Ridge Tops

Self-Portrait

Saw about 20 deer, half white tail and half black tail.

This is the official trailhead, but I parked off North Bank Rd. It's a very nice spot with a pit toilet, covered seating area, picnic tables, horse corals, and water.

This land was part of the old Jackson Ranch. This barn was pretty massive and halfway up a very steep slope. Glad that I didn't have to build it there.

Well signed trail junctions

Photo Dump

The Hennery and Nesika Lodge

Still plugging away with my training. I haven't really done any noteworthy runs yet. Most of them have been pretty wet and muddy, although I've had a few dry, warm days. And looking at the forecast, there is much more to come.

All of my weekly training runs have been in Forest Park or Washington Park, while most of my long runs have been scattered around the Gorge.

Some of my longer runs include:

1. OAB up Herman Creek Trail to Cedar Swamp Camp
2. OAB up Eagle Creek to Eagle-Tanner Trail
3. My house to Marquam Nature Park
4. The Elevator Shaft to Nesika Lodge
5. OAB up Tanner Creek Trail
6. Cougar Mountain Trail Loop, Issaquah

I haven't taken a lot of pics, but here are some of them. I apologize for the quality of the pics.

Summit Register on Cougar Mountain

Cougar Mountain Trails

Andrew and I climbing up the Elevator Shaft. High above I-84

Cougar Rock

Women's Outhouse - Nesika Lodge. Not too shabby!

Waiting out a Thunder/Hail/Sleet /Wind Storm. It even started snowing for a bit. Luckily we were at the lodge when it struck because it would have been very brutal to wait it out under a tree or rock.

Washed out photo of the Trail Club of Oregon's Nesika Lodge.

Wood and tool shed. Nesika

Tunnel Falls, Eagle Creek Trail

UNT,

Bryan

Gaining Momentum

Not a lot of posts recently because I don't feel like I've been doing anything post worthy. I signed up again for the Waldo 100k trail race outside Oakridge, Or and have been steadily working my way back up to a respectful amount of fitness. I hoping to hit a peak weekly mileage of around 70mi in early June and then again in late July.

I've been sticking to the trails of Forest Park and the river gorges of the Columbia River Gorge. I've tried a few new trails like Herman Creek and Tanner Creek, but also stuck to regulars like Clackamas River trail, Gorge 400 trail and Wildwood.

As the snow level recedes, I hope to do some longer loops in the Gorge, like the Eagle-Tanner Loop, Herman-Nick Eaton Loopage, Nesmith Point and then eventually make my way up to Mt. Hood and MSH for some good mountain runs.

I'll also be spending some time in the Southern Oregon area so maybe I'll try the Rogue River Trail and Lithia trail system.

Here are some not so exciting pictures from my recent adventures.

Old Tanner Butte TH

Two waterfalls converging near behind Tanner Butte TH

 

The much less traveled Old Tanner Creek Trail to the Moffet Creek Tr. I covered maybe half a mile of this unmaintained trail before getting spooked that I'd get lost and turned around.

First Wilderness of the Year

Jumped up to Wauna Viewpoint on the way back since it was a clear day.

Little blurry, but here's Wauna Viewpoint from Eagle Creek. Third hump down of the left. I believe Wauna Point is the upper most Pinnacle. Still need to check that one out. Also checked out the Eagle Creek Overlook while I was down here. Nice little setup there.

Blurri iphone shot through its waterproof case. Waterfall on Herman Cr Tr. Not sure of its name

A flooded Cedar Swamp Camp in lightly snowing conditions.

Fuel order arrived!

Had a little fun editing this one. Although it still look blurry. Pup Creek Falls

Second wilderness of the season. Clackamas River Trail

I think this is called Hanging Rock...

Fearless Brewing Company in Estacada, OR. Always have to end with a beer.

Kerrie doing huffing it up the mountain during a little off trail exploration. And did I mention that we got engaged in January? Fun times to come.

Creating Singletrack. Mt Baker Backcountry

Tried a new form of outdoor adventure over the weekend. Andrew and I drove up to Bellingham, WA to meet our buddies for a little skiing weekend. After a few cold ones, I was persuaded into renting some AT gear and to follow them around in the Mt. Baker backcountry. But lets be honest, it didnt really take much convincing. I have always wanted to try backountry skiing, but never had the gear, knowledge, or personnel to give it ago. I was slightly nervous, but my friends were experienced and the reported conditions pretty safe.

Up, up, up to Herman Saddle

Langer 

Yours Truly

Again

Applying Skins

In the end, I had a blast. It's hard work, but very rewarding. It's beautiful country up there and I wish that I lived closer. In the end, we skinned around for 6 hours, put in 4 runs with maybe 4,000ft of vert. Give or take.

Andrew and Lange (the ringleader)

Joelman

The next day we were all cooked, but hit up the resort for almost another full day of skiing. Definitely built up some fitness, but my body is ready for a little break.

UNT

Bryan

(Not the best pictures, but still proof)

Mt. Herman (??)

Cornice Whacking = 50 Gnar Points 

Casa de Hart 

Kick ass retaining wall by Jordan Hart

Location of future epic pool parties