tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65802984283503027402024-02-21T00:57:24.051-08:00Trails, Trials and Trivialities Paths along woods, mountains and life in Oregon's backcountry and beyond Paths along woods, mountains and life in Oregon's backcountry and beyondAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-59145754892648102612013-07-17T19:59:00.000-07:002013-07-17T19:59:44.125-07:00“Old” Vista Ridge trail provides good views of northern Cascades, thanks to its restoration <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1kECmqO5CG1T7G5OGGsXIet4UDq_UFRLo4RFbuPxvGrxzeH5GcEnRcP6gtumGUz4_U7nyZlUQCTUC6fCzYFOdkDnvozS0m1ogJ_H4wdySvra5TXUmBrHRfJF3imjvYEWkgTUrGtuIO8/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1kECmqO5CG1T7G5OGGsXIet4UDq_UFRLo4RFbuPxvGrxzeH5GcEnRcP6gtumGUz4_U7nyZlUQCTUC6fCzYFOdkDnvozS0m1ogJ_H4wdySvra5TXUmBrHRfJF3imjvYEWkgTUrGtuIO8/s1600/019.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Hood from Owl Point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I didn’t know an “old” Vista Ridge trail along the north
side of Mt. Hood even existed until only a few weeks ago. Having hiked the popular
Vista Ridge trail years ago, I decided to take the lower, lesser-known trail to
its end, where the remnants of an old fire lookout linger. Once on the trail, I discovered I left my camera at home, so had to fall back on my cell phone for pics. My apologies. Not that these are much worse than those I take with my camera.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3bC2C795A734_UwnWSfkDy1_kFEhdZgRIT8vRPy9onQS9LRXsdedQXmPiI9gGwHjYSE5FqBGUkrojZTJRYgGcOPjNFUpdnOUypPlLodaaQMYhfnUMOnVFYYiRICr6EC-P56rLNm2eIM/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3bC2C795A734_UwnWSfkDy1_kFEhdZgRIT8vRPy9onQS9LRXsdedQXmPiI9gGwHjYSE5FqBGUkrojZTJRYgGcOPjNFUpdnOUypPlLodaaQMYhfnUMOnVFYYiRICr6EC-P56rLNm2eIM/s1600/036.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burned trees from the Dollar Lake Fire near the trails' junction</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A short access trail, about 0.3 of a mile long, leads to a
three-way junction where the path to the left is the “old” Vista Ridge trail,
which connects with the trail leading to Cairn Basin and Barrett Spur to the
right. Here, remnants of the 2011 Dollar Lake Fire exist. It appears this is
about as far north as the fire spread, leaving the old trail free of ravaged
forest. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNOoI3uYX-67Lue_MDKRzMc8om1yIxPONS1nnOTcNrm7uEzbRXBxsxVWewqum_Pne-aoTsyWxu1-sdcA57Uv7TgD4sM8txkt5Exr-1QnrWDuobkqINkyi-2P4qkCghyphenhyphenW73X3-Wx0v6zE/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNOoI3uYX-67Lue_MDKRzMc8om1yIxPONS1nnOTcNrm7uEzbRXBxsxVWewqum_Pne-aoTsyWxu1-sdcA57Uv7TgD4sM8txkt5Exr-1QnrWDuobkqINkyi-2P4qkCghyphenhyphenW73X3-Wx0v6zE/s1600/009.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Heather in the meadow leading to the Rockpile</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The old trail is easily hiked because of a group of “pathologists”
who helped restore the health of the old path. They need to be commended,
because without them removing debris from the path, which apparently included
over 200 fallen trees, the trail might have died.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYbIKSrtwWK8BG_2GAFoT_V-0qh3P4gsd9qZNjPlg-aoX_hIbactC-s9O6jcqFKLAO1neeb-X7jGS_li5xDqmTd86rekJPruiOGQjQkd6qyxQhp3VF6ovtBY6kPya5qAzs8Z805aAhx8/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYbIKSrtwWK8BG_2GAFoT_V-0qh3P4gsd9qZNjPlg-aoX_hIbactC-s9O6jcqFKLAO1neeb-X7jGS_li5xDqmTd86rekJPruiOGQjQkd6qyxQhp3VF6ovtBY6kPya5qAzs8Z805aAhx8/s1600/013.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Owl Point View - Brownish grey on lower slopes is from the Dollar Lake Fire</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As it is, the trail is padded with forest debris, such as
evergreen needles, beneath the thicker, second-growth forest canopy. Where the
trail opens up along the ridgeline, it becomes boulder strewn and rugged. The
most rugged portion of the trail begins as it makes its way from Owl Point down
to where a fire lookout once stood and nearby Perry Lake. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2UENWGQVa8TUKjLYrRWqZhZCRlOqobg8RNJLrT7n0S5J0x8_kJPi97fR3Rm-mMoqvqM0Zpqo-IvIINdPxGeG9RMShIQYrJl8WqH3NZVkSjTMYB8ZJTO4P1kB9FDwhJwpAy3SY1ke9JA/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2UENWGQVa8TUKjLYrRWqZhZCRlOqobg8RNJLrT7n0S5J0x8_kJPi97fR3Rm-mMoqvqM0Zpqo-IvIINdPxGeG9RMShIQYrJl8WqH3NZVkSjTMYB8ZJTO4P1kB9FDwhJwpAy3SY1ke9JA/s1600/014.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">View East from Owl Point. Laurence Lake to the right appearing behind ridge</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Owl Point provides a nice view of nearby Mt. Hood. There, I
discovered a small ammunition box with an entry journal inside. The story of
the trail’s restoration resides within this book’s cover. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccO07MsAow4oo3yAI1GY5sKaGRlq_LJwKEukPsNsRbzgBsO4ZAlbblhyZtiFnekhe54GjpnQNSS3KP2i4KZ6rwX_UP_HOvPWeZ9GyCqojscGGVraAnSm20Ag_RrYWBrRdCMC42JYB9ek/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccO07MsAow4oo3yAI1GY5sKaGRlq_LJwKEukPsNsRbzgBsO4ZAlbblhyZtiFnekhe54GjpnQNSS3KP2i4KZ6rwX_UP_HOvPWeZ9GyCqojscGGVraAnSm20Ag_RrYWBrRdCMC42JYB9ek/s1600/027.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">One of two foundations at the old lookout site</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">From Owl Point’s view, the immensity of the Dollar Lake fire
and its impact on the area is apparent along the slopes of Mt. Hood. To the
east, a portion of Laurance Lake is within view. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKsD14erBpUFNuLTuMG8sMmJEXgYnWJJQ8zAqxhjyCe6Wn4NKLfz5qLCggj-6cqTVLB-iQum1FCtOLyIwNQeYhJFMspClfIh_k6jDKInTu1AjtH3dwcdfNPSF9KtURHg3AQzT3Ye0100/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKsD14erBpUFNuLTuMG8sMmJEXgYnWJJQ8zAqxhjyCe6Wn4NKLfz5qLCggj-6cqTVLB-iQum1FCtOLyIwNQeYhJFMspClfIh_k6jDKInTu1AjtH3dwcdfNPSF9KtURHg3AQzT3Ye0100/s1600/034.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Road leading from lookout site to Perry Lake</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">From here, the trail drops toward Perry Lake. Just prior to
the lake, the trail ends at a road that once provided transportation to the
fire lookout. I found two cement foundations at the site - which one was the
lookout is a good question. Perry Lake (actually a small pond) is a short
distance downhill from the foundations along the rocky road. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXSd1d7wVawcPgyDs6SE2dD4pboZ9Af2m51gz0AipDSE9D54kwDirSiu6bFIuU51PDVbhCDMFYg3euqlZbrRamO_OohNary1yXKNs4PVl_lBovVLJ_vxdR8lwWY4580viukxDsSHq9UM/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXSd1d7wVawcPgyDs6SE2dD4pboZ9Af2m51gz0AipDSE9D54kwDirSiu6bFIuU51PDVbhCDMFYg3euqlZbrRamO_OohNary1yXKNs4PVl_lBovVLJ_vxdR8lwWY4580viukxDsSHq9UM/s1600/030.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Perry Lake</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Just beyond Owl Point, on the return trip, I stopped at
another viewpoint, this time looking north toward Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier
and Mt. Adams. In front of them stands Mt. Defiance on the Oregon side.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVetfgBcEJLWV1KGeXLFmw03HLeskk1uksTcN-EDTbAJDXSPL1oJAQT9rbeYSa_RjAipwPFaQsf2WLbAaoj9TzziqBj3_9raFxqsynGp8RTk64lPD92aEdwZCKVdtMfzYFKwMbOBlkIZE/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVetfgBcEJLWV1KGeXLFmw03HLeskk1uksTcN-EDTbAJDXSPL1oJAQT9rbeYSa_RjAipwPFaQsf2WLbAaoj9TzziqBj3_9raFxqsynGp8RTk64lPD92aEdwZCKVdtMfzYFKwMbOBlkIZE/s1600/035.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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Left to right: Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I did not meet another person on the trail that day until I
got back to the junction with the more popular part of the Vista Ridge Trail.
To my surprise, the parking lot that had one other car in it when I pulled in
that morning was now packed. That meant all those people were hiking the more
popular trail. So, if you want more solitude, hike the old trail.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comVista Ridge, Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon 97041, USA45.4240067 -121.7220207000000319.9019722 -163.03061470000003 70.9460412 -80.413426700000031tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-23704467872574614152013-07-08T17:17:00.001-07:002013-07-08T17:17:29.109-07:00From Round Lake to Square Lake – Views between the silver poles
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zWtP_fSSYOPfCmeDoTjb2n2PTC6lobLCTgXNC5zu8m0vZaZ-6bxBdpICozcAk09Cj2AETk2XO059O9Ze8T4rPJLAK7KBpYqGxOCdGGJKxj7awJfQxe7HaVPgtL7T734SgAqXw58jGvQ/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zWtP_fSSYOPfCmeDoTjb2n2PTC6lobLCTgXNC5zu8m0vZaZ-6bxBdpICozcAk09Cj2AETk2XO059O9Ze8T4rPJLAK7KBpYqGxOCdGGJKxj7awJfQxe7HaVPgtL7T734SgAqXw58jGvQ/s1600/036.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Fingered Jack standing above Round Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the Northwest corner of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness,
where I had hiked into Crown Lake, I headed toward its Southeast section, where
forest fires have dramatically changed the landscape. Clearly, new vegetation
has established itself among the silver poles, which were once thriving
conifers, standing above the fresh greenery. </span></div>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8y1Y7yLz9P51MldNr09EVnfXuqVQ3RMC6iix7599cS0itBU0tbQKPwhhfdnNUHHn6tzFYquXc6Q5RgyxHstaMSLUDWONTZaywzZCARNHqavlDF_bICyN_8foIQCQEapogIpmUEPCkHaw/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8y1Y7yLz9P51MldNr09EVnfXuqVQ3RMC6iix7599cS0itBU0tbQKPwhhfdnNUHHn6tzFYquXc6Q5RgyxHstaMSLUDWONTZaywzZCARNHqavlDF_bICyN_8foIQCQEapogIpmUEPCkHaw/s1600/031.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round lake through the silver poles</td></tr>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I expected a full campground at Round Lake when I arrived
there in the evening. However, no one else was there, except for some fishermen
parked near the lake. This was surprising, considering it was the beginning of
July, the weather was spectacular and there is only about three (I didn’t
count) campsites at Round Lake.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym3mEgs5lOVUNk_Ic8S9oXA_wu7cOkpe3OdDXOWbOqFdGTYt971FVSf-W3PYplCX2_uxwfgkjSAcVRpcGH9uPjtWW4dQW9TDUxVQWF2QOmyl5Bq2f7Rx00ZfeI2dfd5tRDl_udAW540Y/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym3mEgs5lOVUNk_Ic8S9oXA_wu7cOkpe3OdDXOWbOqFdGTYt971FVSf-W3PYplCX2_uxwfgkjSAcVRpcGH9uPjtWW4dQW9TDUxVQWF2QOmyl5Bq2f7Rx00ZfeI2dfd5tRDl_udAW540Y/s1600/035.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sun setting over Round Lake</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having planned to hike into Square Lake the next morning, I
set up camp and watched the sun drop behind the West side of the high Cascades.
The lake has a great view of Three Fingered Jack, which I’m not sure would be as
brilliant if the forest was fully foliated, as it was prior to the fires.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Trailhead sign to Square Lake</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knowing it would be hot and shade would be scarce, I hit the
trail early the next day. The trail climbs from the West end of Round Lake up
over a ridge before flattening out. Here is where, with a little imagination,
one can see that views are much more expansive without the foliage from pine
trees blocking one’s sight. Although the silver poles left standing are
somewhat unsightly, they allow views of the area that one might never have seen
had it not been for the devastation. “Unsightly” might even be too strong.
“Unusual,” perhaps, is more appropriate. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Square Lake</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although it was only about 8:00 am when I arrived at Square
Lake - about 2 miles from the trailhead - the bare forest had warmed quickly.
Continuing to the West end of the lake, I chose to go left at a trail junction,
which took me South toward the Santiam Pass. After a short and gradual uphill
hike, I stopped at a small saddle, where views of Mt. Washington and the Three
Sisters appeared. From there, a short scramble to the top of a rock outcropping
provided a grand view of Square Lake below and Three Fingered Jack to the North.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNeVh5Q7hSWi3SIXu620WA_DqY9murw1rmC7nX-rJDzmBwRoPNkYByttV7V2duxkJCb_99iolm3ZVVSkwYzJ8ms0SUixJtuhrX50nTK554D0yQETM1tOBfny8dMHBNGyvjycL0yAcoRw/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNeVh5Q7hSWi3SIXu620WA_DqY9murw1rmC7nX-rJDzmBwRoPNkYByttV7V2duxkJCb_99iolm3ZVVSkwYzJ8ms0SUixJtuhrX50nTK554D0yQETM1tOBfny8dMHBNGyvjycL0yAcoRw/s1600/048.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Mt. Washington and Three Sisters through the silver poles</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My map showed a “Long Lake” near the trail between Round
Lake and Square Lake, but I didn’t see it on the hike into Square Lake. So, on
my way back, I made it a point to look closely for Long Lake or any side trails
that might lead to it. None were found and no lake was seen. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3YSjBYDVmhRWjrpqgocQMk4lZeRy0rj8OuHl071WLDfIUR8mTcLQFQ922VabVaogiVLlRGcDrkb8Hbwnp6T74HkvZJKtAS62xh2Nq7uRFKkp0gjT5VDjM1QVz5RVyUcy2wvrFOX0ZNI/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3YSjBYDVmhRWjrpqgocQMk4lZeRy0rj8OuHl071WLDfIUR8mTcLQFQ922VabVaogiVLlRGcDrkb8Hbwnp6T74HkvZJKtAS62xh2Nq7uRFKkp0gjT5VDjM1QVz5RVyUcy2wvrFOX0ZNI/s1600/051.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Three Fingered Jack from rock outcropping above Square Lake</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing I did notice, though, was the number of trees
growing to replace those that had burned. The numbers of these small pines in
some areas are prolific, roughly four feet tall and seemingly growing like
weeds. In other areas, there are none. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZSM3IzjFIGnQ5zpERZcuAdP5MYfua6nm84oF2-3mAuqtZShkZamwyD-r668QZrUqcLw_88xGYWnvHMY9ab-pZ7aEDHDtQuJUEi9C6eZz-mEJRcDUHONAnaDFEeleX5ZOy_rR9l6h6jo/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZSM3IzjFIGnQ5zpERZcuAdP5MYfua6nm84oF2-3mAuqtZShkZamwyD-r668QZrUqcLw_88xGYWnvHMY9ab-pZ7aEDHDtQuJUEi9C6eZz-mEJRcDUHONAnaDFEeleX5ZOy_rR9l6h6jo/s1600/058.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Black Butte from road 1210</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On my way back down out of the mountains from Round Lake, I
continued along road 1210 along its southern-most stretch. This section of road
provides outstanding views of the Cascades stretching from Three Finger Jack to
the Three Sisters. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnTXow-TtIH9j5Bl7gkWExu49boDMXWQXbssq6Izr9qooXrSnArJarBH8ofV5m1KAMEl8Z-L4nYoYm8SFcQQ9DHXx1qI2DE-VpmoRjqzoisxUljMlGct1nVYb6fkk9_mpfQDiBh7bOXc/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnTXow-TtIH9j5Bl7gkWExu49boDMXWQXbssq6Izr9qooXrSnArJarBH8ofV5m1KAMEl8Z-L4nYoYm8SFcQQ9DHXx1qI2DE-VpmoRjqzoisxUljMlGct1nVYb6fkk9_mpfQDiBh7bOXc/s1600/056.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Three Fingered Jack from road 1210</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comSquare Lake, Deschutes National Forest, Oregon, USA44.4354877 -121.8207720000000344.429818700000006 -121.83085700000004 44.4411567 -121.81068700000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-80011986382248893152013-07-07T12:14:00.000-07:002013-07-08T16:35:24.406-07:00A short yet scenic hike into Firecamp Lakes<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMo5EwKJu5OYcSebl4BcIW2xWju4BG4BjfcuhuuEzRAhAuuWbKyroRdaDdcRic-qMa0LmuUFLzF2QzWnziP4DWoEt28RTQXaUYrzq4BZ7ue18oIt0iVobhGkTsp8xQZJNQun00XyPI5s/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMo5EwKJu5OYcSebl4BcIW2xWju4BG4BjfcuhuuEzRAhAuuWbKyroRdaDdcRic-qMa0LmuUFLzF2QzWnziP4DWoEt28RTQXaUYrzq4BZ7ue18oIt0iVobhGkTsp8xQZJNQun00XyPI5s/s1600/025.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All but the top of Mt. Jefferson along the trail to Crown Lake </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">It was time to go back to the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness,
having not entered the area since either the B&B fire of 2003 or the Puzzle
fire in 2006. Both fires combined to burn 47,000 of the 105,000 acres that make
up the wilderness area. </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQ7d8Yv0FH8-CUSbb1eM9qQNuYm5OL6zoL0WpR4O7xxe3h27vsIvMurcqLbb1ENcx9LCXoJRVNS1-f_xlJwZdKmpJQ0rWh1qtbUVUHZYS3LRpEE9vRr-oH4A4q1xwki0HmIGp-glAXX8/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQ7d8Yv0FH8-CUSbb1eM9qQNuYm5OL6zoL0WpR4O7xxe3h27vsIvMurcqLbb1ENcx9LCXoJRVNS1-f_xlJwZdKmpJQ0rWh1qtbUVUHZYS3LRpEE9vRr-oH4A4q1xwki0HmIGp-glAXX8/s1600/013.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blooming Beargrass along the trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Entering the wilderness from the Northwest, where the
Firecamp Lakes lie, there is no indication of the fires that devastated much of
the wilderness. Instead, healthy conifers and blooming bear grass greeted me in
late June on my way into the lakes. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBoIZLdQzEtuZlPpDxFceTjGVaeoG8G2vaBj458cbtYnJLTzJmdEtHO86KAUMSggHctgCZOe0m_r3-t2WdCGeBf2tAD8f5aI92P7NFg65RjbjmUjvtKQ2_QX4_K7sCurYDqyDHadqp5A/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBoIZLdQzEtuZlPpDxFceTjGVaeoG8G2vaBj458cbtYnJLTzJmdEtHO86KAUMSggHctgCZOe0m_r3-t2WdCGeBf2tAD8f5aI92P7NFg65RjbjmUjvtKQ2_QX4_K7sCurYDqyDHadqp5A/s1600/018.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Crown Lake</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Firecamp Lakes are made up of Crown and Claggett Lakes and
an unknown, much smaller pond. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGkVB5KTsGSY32T14as0Q6-Hvovgs58nUPlYo3K-8NexOBMww6G7yxBxinpujzvXmk8Obojcn1vyINWX4P7A2_CiTXTCCi4wZ_16OfY0vML364SztVR09UbOt12iJd0h2C28wRtcfUmA/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGkVB5KTsGSY32T14as0Q6-Hvovgs58nUPlYo3K-8NexOBMww6G7yxBxinpujzvXmk8Obojcn1vyINWX4P7A2_CiTXTCCi4wZ_16OfY0vML364SztVR09UbOt12iJd0h2C28wRtcfUmA/s1600/016.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mt. Jefferson rises above Crown Lake</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The hike to Crown Lake begins in an old clearcut, where
thick Beargrass was in full bloom. The trail climbs steeply from the outset
through much of the clearcut and then settles into a much easier grade as it
enters the more established forest. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins1b-ZoYXYzpG122DUxQ-qCLUoD9PNJv3CWbBqDsFrgh7IMl6_lGZaFmtf3_g6RiKdLuQvnawUcv5xUtMrULp-d0zN-VlG-wnrYOvfb74CBWg-7U_DGCrYFz6o10AoHj9M7ikFO230V0/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins1b-ZoYXYzpG122DUxQ-qCLUoD9PNJv3CWbBqDsFrgh7IMl6_lGZaFmtf3_g6RiKdLuQvnawUcv5xUtMrULp-d0zN-VlG-wnrYOvfb74CBWg-7U_DGCrYFz6o10AoHj9M7ikFO230V0/s1600/017.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Crown Lake</span></div>
<ol>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Crown Lake lies only about a mile from the trailhead. The
trail, prior to dropping into the lake’s basin, provides nice views of Mt.
Jefferson above the ridge standing over the lake’s basin. Plenty of mosquitoes
were there to greet me at the lake, expected but always unwelcome. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
</ol>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comFirecamp Lakes, Willamette National Forest, Oregon 97342, USA44.756435 -121.8750160000000244.745160000000006 -121.89518600000001 44.76771 -121.85484600000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-77071958507606534212013-05-27T10:54:00.000-07:002013-06-05T20:48:47.748-07:00Opal Creek old growth hike a reminder of past, changing times<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCv7qd5rTLUbwErKsJQ_tH2a250SpuVvLRyCzhKZ7W6tIpBzRBZIkV_QKM5hXc8DM9q6eLqaKzGzIkSiqQJUFmQJIIbA997qRAUfylIDgqG-pXlZpiaCUs47InSfx8EijoSt2oYIPjF6k/s1600/030+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCv7qd5rTLUbwErKsJQ_tH2a250SpuVvLRyCzhKZ7W6tIpBzRBZIkV_QKM5hXc8DM9q6eLqaKzGzIkSiqQJUFmQJIIbA997qRAUfylIDgqG-pXlZpiaCUs47InSfx8EijoSt2oYIPjF6k/s1600/030+(3).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Opal Creek</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</h2>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">It was the epicenter of the spotted owl debate in the early
1980’s, drawing attention from around the country, as the timber industry, so
entrenched in the lives of those inhabiting the Pacific Northwest, battled conservationists
for the future of forestlands surrounding Opal Creek.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tVVagTLHrsqdrDoxgMeYBd2FoHyQz6nSLsvJnsx2-8Xrvb811PmBy9BT6Wlzw8ss7r6YrYnvQJgMPe9ZEMUaQ4vZJXwS7vVCOr3AaKCSb4V4NuXTpQQYwzDJRW-5VVesmRNbIWfoork/s1600/087+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tVVagTLHrsqdrDoxgMeYBd2FoHyQz6nSLsvJnsx2-8Xrvb811PmBy9BT6Wlzw8ss7r6YrYnvQJgMPe9ZEMUaQ4vZJXwS7vVCOr3AaKCSb4V4NuXTpQQYwzDJRW-5VVesmRNbIWfoork/s1600/087+(2).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Old Growth Forest along the Little North Fork Santiam River</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It was a gorgeous yet somewhat breezy weekend in late April
when I drove to the gate across the road (2209) accessing Opal Creek and
Jawbone Flats. My intention was to backpack into the area and set up a camp
somewhere near Opal Pool, where rushing waters flow through a small gorge and drop
into slower moving, deeper <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and aptly
named waters. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicl6i2geTBWIxq8KhVsHb0M6Y8aLIjNhBNhwfqOv21xa3Y47KdG_zr2r6-v8U_xvnRNPkeOaUHfhkxOywRR8Oqp9zcuXHYilg5j-4PrKB8PcZMs4h5YnrVQ8c5T5F5uv_cOBLLKZCfcw8/s1600/004+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicl6i2geTBWIxq8KhVsHb0M6Y8aLIjNhBNhwfqOv21xa3Y47KdG_zr2r6-v8U_xvnRNPkeOaUHfhkxOywRR8Oqp9zcuXHYilg5j-4PrKB8PcZMs4h5YnrVQ8c5T5F5uv_cOBLLKZCfcw8/s1600/004+(2).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Road leading to Jawbone Flats</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The gravel road soon crossed a bridge over picturesque Gold
Creek. From there, large trees appeared in greater numbers, until the towering
behemoths and regenerating undergrowth indicated I was <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">standing</span> in an ancient
forest. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bmx0XFw5MLZdviU6mVd5n57SNix91IzN_L6sagZZl7rp20GCowTd64u8veu5eHmx-up8vSulCpliwkRLNf1fZ1xMEWMle64SjSw80o4IXv7viymOhNyrljeuLP7ZM21GCvs3s9lo2pU/s1600/106+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bmx0XFw5MLZdviU6mVd5n57SNix91IzN_L6sagZZl7rp20GCowTd64u8veu5eHmx-up8vSulCpliwkRLNf1fZ1xMEWMle64SjSw80o4IXv7viymOhNyrljeuLP7ZM21GCvs3s9lo2pU/s1600/106+(2).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gold Creek from bridge</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Looking out into the forest from the road, immense tree
trunks stood high above forests lush understory. It all looked so alive.
However, a lift of the chin and look to the sky gives hikers an entirely
different perspective. Many of those massive tree trunks are topped with few
branches, if any. Many are nothing more than a snag. In fact, many of the
largest trees in any old growth forest are dead. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoczqG2ro7-tKPp44zYjbzLyQykGJ2XUtn_zrL0gcmdIRSencUMqiR3K1WAj5RNgBA8k0-jE8HXJ4K495aYy8zhBQdt_SExX1nl2hg_4tJ33I-NcsTFcLGp11fFTYkLeIgtm5Hl-mCn8c/s1600/091+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoczqG2ro7-tKPp44zYjbzLyQykGJ2XUtn_zrL0gcmdIRSencUMqiR3K1WAj5RNgBA8k0-jE8HXJ4K495aYy8zhBQdt_SExX1nl2hg_4tJ33I-NcsTFcLGp11fFTYkLeIgtm5Hl-mCn8c/s1600/091+(2).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dead old growth waiting to fall</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After about one mile, the road, carved out of an extremely
steep slope, is so narrow that bridge-like beams support its outer edge, making
the road wide enough for vehicle travel. The road is used by folks living in
Jawbone Flats needing to access the outside world by vehicle. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufP8BQofKTRypKESV9MLgdwnaGz4hB55nODN-wheJ66juCYywkM-nBIp0VeP1xiK8Aq_J71E01KMBwO_C0vvlKWdI3UOH6rFdw5a2NOwrHNc51pv4W3O_BHQryv2-P0HeRTPUC8dQnSw/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufP8BQofKTRypKESV9MLgdwnaGz4hB55nODN-wheJ66juCYywkM-nBIp0VeP1xiK8Aq_J71E01KMBwO_C0vvlKWdI3UOH6rFdw5a2NOwrHNc51pv4W3O_BHQryv2-P0HeRTPUC8dQnSw/s1600/002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Narrow road widened by beams and planks</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After two miles, machinery and parts left behind from the
old Merten Sawmill begin to appear. Built in 1943, the steam powered mill utilized
timber in the immediate area until it closed not long after opening. Apparently,
the company’s log trucks were falling off the narrow and steep section of the
road, making it too dangerous to log the area. One building at the site still
stands. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4f43ElODRIsZxm6ab6AqxCQpcKQtrAWcarAgGhnzBo0b-Ogrgl8qZaxt7PxnluymjIcDAsOzzh34aYd6ZkAHBZmvasUnf-4_OTnGzR27bKbsXTuz-zZucDh5HplijX3UFLmHKiPmuHw/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4f43ElODRIsZxm6ab6AqxCQpcKQtrAWcarAgGhnzBo0b-Ogrgl8qZaxt7PxnluymjIcDAsOzzh34aYd6ZkAHBZmvasUnf-4_OTnGzR27bKbsXTuz-zZucDh5HplijX3UFLmHKiPmuHw/s1600/013.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Machinery left from Merten Sawmill</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Behind the mill from the road, the Little North Santiam
River flows over a basalt ledge to form Sawmill Falls. A short side trail
delivers explorers to a view of the tumbling waters. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqdGE0wdfLRysDNTsH3GG2halCNIGYiPK_GkBOfTtoUPiOsnYvzdAw7r94rihe_z9ds8WG1maVk5C6Ms5EgBTu2NasaGhE499UlhxM5LxfFwcx5B8LqdCdJanWqW08LvLaA6sw1QSPH8/s1600/019+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqdGE0wdfLRysDNTsH3GG2halCNIGYiPK_GkBOfTtoUPiOsnYvzdAw7r94rihe_z9ds8WG1maVk5C6Ms5EgBTu2NasaGhE499UlhxM5LxfFwcx5B8LqdCdJanWqW08LvLaA6sw1QSPH8/s1600/019+(2).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sawmill Falls</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Why I had yet to venture into the Opal Creek area, dismissing
it throughout the many years of hiking through the Cascades, was no mystery. For
me, the battle for these forests had left a foul impression. It was my opinion
that folks were robbed of their livelihood by a movement that enlisted folks
who cared more about trees and owls than people. On the other hand, I had
witnessed how clear-cutting a forest could virtually destroy it. I understood
why those folks would want to conserve a place like this. In a way, the old
remains of the sawmill represents what the area was, could have been and is
today.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD_sdBfIKgFF-AAjh2EMoGvlPcE-MTjGeqyyUEqrg3xl4OoaqW5IPys1ZqakGR6zSAfaHNUPwIaKt5E4tGKDWej_2zcFUKMVg_kfwId51HlBlINzg0c3mX1fo00M5684gPzGYFdYT0nM/s1600/100+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD_sdBfIKgFF-AAjh2EMoGvlPcE-MTjGeqyyUEqrg3xl4OoaqW5IPys1ZqakGR6zSAfaHNUPwIaKt5E4tGKDWej_2zcFUKMVg_kfwId51HlBlINzg0c3mX1fo00M5684gPzGYFdYT0nM/s1600/100+(2).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Clear waters above Sawmill Falls</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A short distance after the old sawmill site a trail to the
right takes hikers to a bridge crossing of the Little North Santiam River. From
there, the trail parallels the south side of the river for roughly another 1.5
miles to Opal Pool. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCHBmCCT29K2BKgSRWR_quaLPMpUQWDMLN2uf2EIK2au2mQDGhiqGisQvegSU5sSdle2d2wwyhdTDQLiGfVlD2OykjJhmWx32rG8JwPvJKHxoUn-mJ-upWgfUbgDk-c2RvdHu-scCuug/s1600/022+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCHBmCCT29K2BKgSRWR_quaLPMpUQWDMLN2uf2EIK2au2mQDGhiqGisQvegSU5sSdle2d2wwyhdTDQLiGfVlD2OykjJhmWx32rG8JwPvJKHxoUn-mJ-upWgfUbgDk-c2RvdHu-scCuug/s1600/022+(2).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bridge leading from road to trail</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Along this trail are several spots to set up a tent and
spend the night. After crossing Opal Creek over a bridge at Opal Pool to the
east of Jawbone Flats, I backtracked west through a meadow and sat down inside
a small shelter. After eating some lunch, I headed back to the trail, found a
camp spot and set up my tent. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4-_4CF2EfcU5sFeuFMKcoMEx913P43dcFB4Npup8eKVmoq7js0XjrJHeOdVVz9MKr95zZvRUDs4Mk0tkVsgl1ig1zrYPjOJuN5Fxqfd1hYwxXWgVsnS-rJqBV61oOBfNqs6IQz_7XXg/s1600/094+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4-_4CF2EfcU5sFeuFMKcoMEx913P43dcFB4Npup8eKVmoq7js0XjrJHeOdVVz9MKr95zZvRUDs4Mk0tkVsgl1ig1zrYPjOJuN5Fxqfd1hYwxXWgVsnS-rJqBV61oOBfNqs6IQz_7XXg/s1600/094+(2).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Along the trail</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">t is here where I want to talk about choosing a spot to set
up camp. I assume most backpackers know not to establish their camp too close
to a body of water or trail. What folks might not realize is to also look at their
immediate surroundings when putting up a tent. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOo-lntPNRc87SmXA5qpwx5882PJNLh2PULCXonEpUJ2aTjn4va0pLSGN2bphmyx3EJRF04lmp_nXvA85-uXexNHp7sBnLAy2cOw0U_kYA4LSTjqaONDfr0OES-Z7fncj7MEX9VnbftE/s1600/029+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOo-lntPNRc87SmXA5qpwx5882PJNLh2PULCXonEpUJ2aTjn4va0pLSGN2bphmyx3EJRF04lmp_nXvA85-uXexNHp7sBnLAy2cOw0U_kYA4LSTjqaONDfr0OES-Z7fncj7MEX9VnbftE/s1600/029+(2).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bridge above Opal Creek gorge</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">On this trip, I debated on two spots as possibilities to
establish my tent site. With all the trees in the area and the windy
conditions, I searched for those trees appearing most likely to blow over in
the wind, which are usually the dead ones. The spot I was convinced had the
most stable trees surrounding it was the one I chose to set up my tent. It wasn’t
five minutes later when a gust of wind blew over a tree that landed no more
than 10 feet from my tent. Had it landed on my tent and I had been in it, the
tree would have injured me seriously, if not killed me. The morals of this
anecdote are, don’t set up a tent within reach of a tree that could fall on you,
and, even when you think you haven’t, anything can happen.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZR7qsp02LEFsm9rM7G2N88ZRTZljVjspc6jKAxMCZOr57SukOXIDSoQGpy_vExJItPOMsaSYP8WAE_qolx1bfEG6oHUkKXgTJV_XLDRu8kHpL4wUJOV_hbwBNX_NP50aYKsUlzFwI7c/s1600/026+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZR7qsp02LEFsm9rM7G2N88ZRTZljVjspc6jKAxMCZOr57SukOXIDSoQGpy_vExJItPOMsaSYP8WAE_qolx1bfEG6oHUkKXgTJV_XLDRu8kHpL4wUJOV_hbwBNX_NP50aYKsUlzFwI7c/s1600/026+(2).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Opal Pool</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Then it was time to explore. Again, I hiked back over the
bridge near Opal Creek and made my way through the meadow and into the heart of
Jawbone Flats. But, before reaching the small community from the East, I
stopped to look at the old mining equipment along the side of the road, left
over from the days when miners frequented these mountains. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCc4mUP1iF6NAMEHPMIoZh4wLVQE6IpDmyqN-1hVnSWGT_wE1CqewaZq5rYMLiMJrH3WFj2JZJvwlKBxhyphenhyphenfEr0olGGjOXhUUDF3-WVW7PP0BmOgRMKgWvlaNUi5WdxewvNIxYJOkpvG3o/s1600/032+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCc4mUP1iF6NAMEHPMIoZh4wLVQE6IpDmyqN-1hVnSWGT_wE1CqewaZq5rYMLiMJrH3WFj2JZJvwlKBxhyphenhyphenfEr0olGGjOXhUUDF3-WVW7PP0BmOgRMKgWvlaNUi5WdxewvNIxYJOkpvG3o/s1600/032+(2).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Meadow at Jawbone Flats</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Jawbone Flats consists of several buildings, some cabins available
for the public, a store, educational buildings and homes for residents. One
even houses a turbine used to power the community. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHQ75dygN00Pv7RBw3vBrVDergUj_BGbOO8sDL7D5MYPhOE15O-vWIkBUAWWXaW_xrqSj6iRWO_rtJ3CfqK8YfffZqeekBAlIMAQaHnPckiE1lC9ZUybZoDPiv6M31XHrWPJ_aiDMm7I/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHQ75dygN00Pv7RBw3vBrVDergUj_BGbOO8sDL7D5MYPhOE15O-vWIkBUAWWXaW_xrqSj6iRWO_rtJ3CfqK8YfffZqeekBAlIMAQaHnPckiE1lC9ZUybZoDPiv6M31XHrWPJ_aiDMm7I/s1600/047.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jawbone Flats</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Back across the bridge and onto the trail, I hiked south
along Opal Creek. Unfortunately, a bridge once crossing the creek only a short
distance from Opal Pool was gone. With the creek flowing too high to wade
through and continue down this trail, I turned around and made my way back to
camp. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGFXFN7Y3qJEEK3b3nZ_rt7Tnov4sF_C3Xoc6yrFGE2wscSo7P2XQ2UYpqU_U4cflolgNL8-Eb6Y4doivt6Cqyf88NY1kxbC3Hv6U0WQ9xo55AuFgp57Li9lzqxKlliF4Xuf9Jb1f0Vw/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGFXFN7Y3qJEEK3b3nZ_rt7Tnov4sF_C3Xoc6yrFGE2wscSo7P2XQ2UYpqU_U4cflolgNL8-Eb6Y4doivt6Cqyf88NY1kxbC3Hv6U0WQ9xo55AuFgp57Li9lzqxKlliF4Xuf9Jb1f0Vw/s1600/052.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Old mining tools and machinery at Jawbone Flats</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I save the term “spectacular” for few areas, and this is not
one of them. It is, however, a beautiful area and well worth the visit. I was
both glad I finally waIked into it and disappointed it took me all those years
to get there. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCngRIT9PivxqQFd9Id1Q19EspNwcpeWn3CRlr4tmrTai-_ieFn1UDROHFB1ifijL5N1FabfZD2jxvxNhH4MxOs9kfuDQh4Z0vm-RYxmpH_jMz29gzB56qrXvgdkO_fUiyt82sVMb5xM/s1600/065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCngRIT9PivxqQFd9Id1Q19EspNwcpeWn3CRlr4tmrTai-_ieFn1UDROHFB1ifijL5N1FabfZD2jxvxNhH4MxOs9kfuDQh4Z0vm-RYxmpH_jMz29gzB56qrXvgdkO_fUiyt82sVMb5xM/s1600/065.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Camp was set up at the confluence of Battle Axe Creek and Opal Creek</div>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></h2>
<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_f.png?x-id=e8453dae-1952-4030-8663-4586fe701571" style="border: currentColor; float: right;" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comOpal Creek, Willamette National Forest, Oregon 97346, USA44.842622 -122.2031336999999741.890645 -127.36670769999996 47.794599 -117.03955969999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-18036506289411985322013-02-22T14:54:00.001-08:002013-02-22T14:55:06.547-08:00Where politics meets the outdoors and why today’s journalism is a joke<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img zemanta-action-dragged" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="zemanta-img">
<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Muir_and_Roosevelt_restored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt (left) and n..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Muir_and_Roosevelt_restored.jpg/300px-Muir_and_Roosevelt_restored.jpg" height="400" style="border: currentColor; font-size: 0.8em;" width="333" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt (left) and nature preservationist John Muir, on Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park. In the background: Upper and lower Yosemite Falls.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do a Google search and see how many articles you can find on
how approaching spending cuts by the federal government will affect our
<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_park" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="National park">National Parks</a>. I’ve been watching an endless stream of these articles come
across my computer over the past couple of week. It seems like every journalist
in the U.S. is writing an article on this subject. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here’s a sample of one:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The towering <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoiadendron" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Sequoiadendron">giant
sequoias</a> at <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/308" rel="unesco" target="_blank" title="Yosemite National Park">Yosemite National Park</a> would go unprotected from visitors who might
trample their shallow roots.</i> “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the same article:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Gettysburg would
decrease by one-fifth the numbers of school children who learn about the
historic Pennsylvania battle that was a turning point in the Civil War.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GIVE ME A FRIGGIN’ BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trampling a giant sequoia’s shallow roots will harm a tree
that has been living for close to a century? </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kids won’t learn about Gettysburg if they can’t visit it?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apparently, Park Service Director John Jarvis last month
asked National Park superintendents to show by Feb. 11 how they would absorb
the 5 percent funding cuts, according to a recent report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The report goes on to state: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">While not all 398 parks had submitted plans by the time the memo was
written, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a pattern of deep slashes that
could harm resources and provide fewer protections for visitors has emerged</b>.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think for a minute about the hyperbole used by the journalist
in this statement. A five percent cut is a “deep slash.” To anyone who considers
five percent to be a “deep slash,” prepare to feel some real pain in the coming
years!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know of no one who wants see any cuts to the budgets of
National Parks. They are truly gems. Unfortunately, politicians have run our
country into such debt that the hurt is only beginning. We have started to see
it in increased taxes to pay for their follies. More are yet to come. Next we
will see it in cuts to government agencies. In the future, cuts to so called “entitlements,”
such as social security will occur. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a memo from the National Park Service, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Clear patterns are starting to emerge.
In general, parks have very limited financial flexibility to respond to a 5
percent cut in operations."<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ll bet that if someone was brought in from the private
sector to analyze the agency they could cut 5% without any visitor evening
knowing there were cuts!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ahh, but my declaration is refuted by John Garder, a member
of the nonprofit parks advocacy group the National Park Conservation
Association. "In the scope of a year of federal spending, these cuts would
be permanently damaging and save 15 minutes of spending, he said. “There's no
fat left to trim in the Park Service budget," he added.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then why the heck did the federal government just create a
new National Park in California that will have to be paid for by taxpayers.
Does that make sense!!!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have gotten off topic. The main reason I wrote this post
is to display how rabid the reporting has been on this subject. Oh my. We’re
going to have to cut 5% from National Parks. Why don’t a few of these reporters
write something about the lies that constantly permeate our government or the moral
decay of this country. Why don’t they write something about joblessness in the
U.S. or how our government continues to lie to us about the murder of our
diplomat and three other men in Benghazi, Libya. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why not? Because instead of doing their job – making sure
the government has someone looking over its shoulder, they have become nothing
more than a megaphone for those in power. Congratulations journalists. You have
officially jumped the shark. </span></div>
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-68455336960209841112013-02-03T12:42:00.000-08:002013-02-03T12:48:51.028-08:00Old growth forest, numerous waterfalls greet hikers along the Clackamas River Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsO85l-p4Nn0ALFB5hN2CutzjfTMjoPvJKbMFfROZs6o1Rx1aIshTSNzUhI-hszEdg8gRYhZO5IO7jU8ohozeBzsRlSuNzXs3QfwzVMU6qyFHhFfbU_sLDkvEMAHLWoEJkIgSY7_0eXw/s1600/2013-02-02+001+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsO85l-p4Nn0ALFB5hN2CutzjfTMjoPvJKbMFfROZs6o1Rx1aIshTSNzUhI-hszEdg8gRYhZO5IO7jU8ohozeBzsRlSuNzXs3QfwzVMU6qyFHhFfbU_sLDkvEMAHLWoEJkIgSY7_0eXw/s1600/2013-02-02+001+035.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Deeply furrowed, old growth fir along the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.3725,-122.608611111&spn=0.1,0.1&q=45.3725,-122.608611111 (Clackamas%20River)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Clackamas River">Clackamas River</a> Trail</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The promise of blue skies and warmer temperatures prompted
another trip into the old <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=46.8505277778,-121.759888889&spn=0.1,0.1&q=46.8505277778,-121.759888889 (Cascade%20Range)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Cascade Range">Cascades</a>. As I discovered, the break in the rain had
the same influence on a lot of other people. Cars and pickups, carrying kayaks
and sometimes pulling trailers full of snowmobiles and quads, made their way up
the Clackamas River drainage. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-BmUJjR4buGq0H8g0EXJK_bdflLVZczVmcB_0hNpvuRPESBG2FKJ4rs7RLiCf84RbWLKY4jLGjhCFZeUVgU0Omao6k9yHC7tGvGKFLgzL023rTDV5iOojZe_zQCno2TZiHs7_qoOlFs/s1600/2013-02-02+001+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-BmUJjR4buGq0H8g0EXJK_bdflLVZczVmcB_0hNpvuRPESBG2FKJ4rs7RLiCf84RbWLKY4jLGjhCFZeUVgU0Omao6k9yHC7tGvGKFLgzL023rTDV5iOojZe_zQCno2TZiHs7_qoOlFs/s1600/2013-02-02+001+005.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stream crossing near trailhead at Indian Henry Campground</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While driving along the river several miles above Estacada,
I was reminded of my teenage years, when I had purchased a rubber raft and
spent summer days floating the upper stretches of the river with my father or
other family members. There were days back then, even in the summer, when my
raft would be the only boat on that stretch of river. Since then, the river’s popularity
has grown immensely among rafters and kayakers.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHFDULjoTwh02uStAvKrhWuWLxWjrpJUW43XqH4JtWXPlE4XVpVFRbsjAF4OXZ0dqKWoXdaAZN4zam8RFXZdW43N6QGXitry-tfmn-wcwzlPRels4k95RzIzeFl6Ewew_SeeNzBjZzjI/s1600/2013-02-02+001+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHFDULjoTwh02uStAvKrhWuWLxWjrpJUW43XqH4JtWXPlE4XVpVFRbsjAF4OXZ0dqKWoXdaAZN4zam8RFXZdW43N6QGXitry-tfmn-wcwzlPRels4k95RzIzeFl6Ewew_SeeNzBjZzjI/s1600/2013-02-02+001+008.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rock overhang along the trail</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This day’s destination was the Clackamas River Trail. Having
hiked the downstream half of the trail several years earlier, I figured it was
time to hike the upper half. I parked at a parking lot for the trail, located
across from the entrance to Indian Henry Campground, and started up the trail. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv87E91kAAhPNQFIZ8WdeGOrzGql1BLSxmrh7EDunDMMuQs5GiOdGVdHNw4pZ1WsvIvaRn7YLgKznDyPYrKbUR9IKoaqQC7Qw1vpaTyNqWKgtKU6-p5dkF9lJog6knBYfUgHVhvWlm49I/s1600/2013-02-02+001+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv87E91kAAhPNQFIZ8WdeGOrzGql1BLSxmrh7EDunDMMuQs5GiOdGVdHNw4pZ1WsvIvaRn7YLgKznDyPYrKbUR9IKoaqQC7Qw1vpaTyNqWKgtKU6-p5dkF9lJog6knBYfUgHVhvWlm49I/s1600/2013-02-02+001+009.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pair of falls along trail</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the trailhead, two trails are apparent. The trail to the
left, which heads uphill immediately, is NOT the Clackamas River Trail. I don’t
know where it leads. The trail to the right, the more level trail, is the
correct route.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2vloQhqSk9NQ_sNTPNyJty7jSbLfqxXIcNWId1fDFIqDc2GTQ9nmrUCuan1pDf2ZoTseE7wFGarlzj_zn9o04XMMNZznDhR1YfOQ_fOAjbJZZwjoQYnj3rBjemLAnJ6FYwrauvgdXdw/s1600/2013-02-02+001+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2vloQhqSk9NQ_sNTPNyJty7jSbLfqxXIcNWId1fDFIqDc2GTQ9nmrUCuan1pDf2ZoTseE7wFGarlzj_zn9o04XMMNZznDhR1YfOQ_fOAjbJZZwjoQYnj3rBjemLAnJ6FYwrauvgdXdw/s1600/2013-02-02+001+011.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of the trail's numerous waterfalls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Immediately, the characteristics of a low level trail in the
Cascades become apparent. Moss covers nearly everything on the forest floor
like a green shag carpet. Ferns grow profusely. Firs at various stages of
growth make up much of the forest. In this case, however, along this trail, the
trees are a bit bigger than the usual low elevation Cascade trail. Immense,
deeply furrowed, old growth trees stand high above these slopes.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzk-WlrR_3o5qsbrtHfvWH5szIbylTiryBIAJ3cCGHQzzorpMqc-NgL6drWQY9HPQaXDpcsHuDe_H4cwt0O01taJV5kzYDsWxJ1pqHxow7CPfX4goFSUS_t9mH6tzwhLy-eXU7cG8dzuM/s1600/2013-02-02+001+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzk-WlrR_3o5qsbrtHfvWH5szIbylTiryBIAJ3cCGHQzzorpMqc-NgL6drWQY9HPQaXDpcsHuDe_H4cwt0O01taJV5kzYDsWxJ1pqHxow7CPfX4goFSUS_t9mH6tzwhLy-eXU7cG8dzuM/s1600/2013-02-02+001+020.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Moss covered rock wall above the Clackamas River Trail</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trail gradually rises a few hundred feet above the Clackamas
River and remains there for much of the hike into The Narrows, a short stretch
where the river runs narrowly between bulbous, fused rock. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8gNfb7_sBm3rUkCn52UxnjUfzdRVV83XCC5YVd8jFc0p6ayYoTrQ-oR1QHZP02BG6vJe7tCsIMNufc474FWFqin7aR0iVUJmqrjMR85wp-qLjysekYS1K31kXP2U2M6Yr_WXTbVas3Y/s1600/2013-02-02+001+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8gNfb7_sBm3rUkCn52UxnjUfzdRVV83XCC5YVd8jFc0p6ayYoTrQ-oR1QHZP02BG6vJe7tCsIMNufc474FWFqin7aR0iVUJmqrjMR85wp-qLjysekYS1K31kXP2U2M6Yr_WXTbVas3Y/s1600/2013-02-02+001+027.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Spring along the trail</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a mile or so, the trail skirts what I found to be the
most interesting portion of the trail, the lower portion of a rock wall
stretching several hundred yards. Not carrying my tape measure with me, I can’t
be sure, but the height of this wall likely varies from 60 to over 100 feet
high. Along this wall were, at the beginning of February, several waterfalls of
varying sizes. I say “were” because some of them had so little water I doubt
they could possibly exist in August. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9Ux3LPiW7PXqweo6HlbVNKXUVvg2bOcwIcCzvg5pFvYQlsR1cbsY33EQmorIcUpM7GtOfYVO43srY8I0aUQ5P1HcxJfBnet_0_o6SUOLLoWLrtCCOoQNzDADo7XWxUqRWS0DpAH2MGM/s1600/2013-02-02+001+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9Ux3LPiW7PXqweo6HlbVNKXUVvg2bOcwIcCzvg5pFvYQlsR1cbsY33EQmorIcUpM7GtOfYVO43srY8I0aUQ5P1HcxJfBnet_0_o6SUOLLoWLrtCCOoQNzDADo7XWxUqRWS0DpAH2MGM/s1600/2013-02-02+001+026.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another of the many waterfalls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interestingly, the falls that attracted most of my attention
were those with the least amount of water. A few of these looked as if someone
had taken a 20 foot length of PVC pipe, drilled a hole in it every four or six
inches and ran water through it high up on the rock wall’s rim. These streams
of water, separated by only a few inches, ran down the wall, dropping through
and into thick moss, where they eventually came to rest at the base of the
trail.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ty68TJ3y9__3QVc22rxiexcACSLYFN7ouw9DDi2rKDYP0jjhdNHIVdziXT4N9nXCxTUs7Szey7ApLaAllEU8i6w3-c86fSySXIcNgfkTaCMCbflubDZxSKWS1Q_V0PgpJAjfk9-dw0o/s1600/2013-02-02+001+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ty68TJ3y9__3QVc22rxiexcACSLYFN7ouw9DDi2rKDYP0jjhdNHIVdziXT4N9nXCxTUs7Szey7ApLaAllEU8i6w3-c86fSySXIcNgfkTaCMCbflubDZxSKWS1Q_V0PgpJAjfk9-dw0o/s1600/2013-02-02+001+023.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Small streams drop down the moss-covered rock wall</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Along another short stretch, the trail dips into the wall’s
face, carrying hikers behind one of the falls carrying the most volume of
water. It is similar to hiking behind South Falls in the Silver Creek Falls
area, but on a smaller scale. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzyIZ7BaXrw6MlcchOzrJLSKdIJJOIkTXonYuUr_-o5X9vfoPMImWTsvYh37J2lIeCQDU25SmXRAKaZF3ZIVYNpaUeiI1CHjkFVsp31ZExFOADpivuw255XcSwrn8Cuee_K_aDHVRdmg/s1600/2013-02-02+001+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzyIZ7BaXrw6MlcchOzrJLSKdIJJOIkTXonYuUr_-o5X9vfoPMImWTsvYh37J2lIeCQDU25SmXRAKaZF3ZIVYNpaUeiI1CHjkFVsp31ZExFOADpivuw255XcSwrn8Cuee_K_aDHVRdmg/s1600/2013-02-02+001+016.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">From behind a waterfall, looking down at the Clackamas River</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually the rock wall gives way to steep, fern laden
slope. Always within view is one or more of the huge trees likely at least 500
years old. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBogRnBHm1klVNOlaj6LicKaQ5MfO5ZY1TFTNZIK-Ykl-y3ZNqtJMTTa80rXA7kzc4xR3LJvFZcFQutUsZEC_pH9JsEFR568XLjJSudHnlvFGc_TzrJeDue9kTez6Fsc2LarTdLhlUBG0/s1600/2013-02-02+001+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBogRnBHm1klVNOlaj6LicKaQ5MfO5ZY1TFTNZIK-Ykl-y3ZNqtJMTTa80rXA7kzc4xR3LJvFZcFQutUsZEC_pH9JsEFR568XLjJSudHnlvFGc_TzrJeDue9kTez6Fsc2LarTdLhlUBG0/s1600/2013-02-02+001+017.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Trail in cliff wall behind waterfall</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the trail drops close to river level, it meanders along a
power line clearing for a couple of short stretches before dipping back into
old growth forest. Soon, old growth western red cedar trees become more
prevalent. Within a grove of these huge cedars, a short side trail leads to the
Clackamas River and The Narrows. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDF2vFGpu7-To4Kq1vALHJzv9Q0nBfkGu7sSg8Bx67Zg1y0X1JJW0cDn7vAldS2chLbWKRrg4yC0c-Rm1Z_yTDU2X0jZCto8HfCrRkTUVVdW5apWLf1KR3sDLlgNsPx9h1IskGbN7i7bQ/s1600/2013-02-02+001+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDF2vFGpu7-To4Kq1vALHJzv9Q0nBfkGu7sSg8Bx67Zg1y0X1JJW0cDn7vAldS2chLbWKRrg4yC0c-Rm1Z_yTDU2X0jZCto8HfCrRkTUVVdW5apWLf1KR3sDLlgNsPx9h1IskGbN7i7bQ/s1600/2013-02-02+001+048.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Clackamas River runs below the trail</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The morning sun blanketed the grassy flat atop the rocks
containing the Clackamas River at The Narrows. The river, running high, flowed
through the tight channel with immense power. From the brute force of these
waters to the rivulet crossings along the trail to the tiny cascades dropping
from the cliffs above, this trail has a wide range of experiences for hikers. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6H5XsyBrAEbYCYzIKJcery0sZpdF3Fc4EAF0_3nWSnB36nxK0kglpH2qXRRBuzWjJ7YO54R1d6cyLjQbRHt8rh3EVIsmlbmBtX3MTchTvI5pMd6XU4guCPy4QjzpzxyIch00V6tnNFTk/s1600/2013-02-02+001+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6H5XsyBrAEbYCYzIKJcery0sZpdF3Fc4EAF0_3nWSnB36nxK0kglpH2qXRRBuzWjJ7YO54R1d6cyLjQbRHt8rh3EVIsmlbmBtX3MTchTvI5pMd6XU4guCPy4QjzpzxyIch00V6tnNFTk/s1600/2013-02-02+001+037.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Clackamas River Narrows</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comClackamas, OR, USA45.123383773141782 -122.0782756805419945.117781773141779 -122.088360680542 45.128985773141785 -122.06819068054199tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-9238917535166781552013-02-01T19:52:00.002-08:002013-02-01T20:01:50.180-08:00Google Maps introduces hike into the Grand Canyon<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img zemanta-action-dragged" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="zemanta-img">
<div class="zemanta-img">
<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grand_Canyon-111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided gorge carved..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Grand_Canyon-111.jpg/300px-Grand_Canyon-111.jpg" height="300" style="border: currentColor; font-size: 0.8em;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Grand Canyon </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few months back, Google Maps made the journey into the </span><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Grand Canyon"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grand Canyon</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, filming the hike along the way. Below is the link to the site where you can take the virtual hike. It takes a little practice to maneuver along the trail, but the scenery is well worth the effort. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately, it doesn't come close to the real thing, but it is pretty cool.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/exploring-grand-canyon-on-google-maps.html#!/2013/01/exploring-grand-canyon-on-google-maps.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/exploring-grand-canyon-on-google-maps.html#!/2013/01/exploring-grand-canyon-on-google-maps.html</span></a><br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-39781890551187157912013-01-23T17:52:00.000-08:002013-01-23T17:52:07.769-08:00Spared from a frigid hike out of Herman Creek area; beware of ice covered creek crossings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqBM5Jfcusyw_sHdbfQRk_RRLr0E_kpRnd4nVelAxkLvNIaOeKvHFMH5JArvwYmgzu6eio-W_c9cI-bAJwAOoJBncdidKwbnaQC3gHOQansadEymW6IkpzEfMWB_LzNL18BY3OeoF5y4/s1600/2013-01-21+001+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqBM5Jfcusyw_sHdbfQRk_RRLr0E_kpRnd4nVelAxkLvNIaOeKvHFMH5JArvwYmgzu6eio-W_c9cI-bAJwAOoJBncdidKwbnaQC3gHOQansadEymW6IkpzEfMWB_LzNL18BY3OeoF5y4/s1600/2013-01-21+001+020.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Icy creek along Herman Creek</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cat-like “quicks” are gone (if they ever existed). Not
yet a sloth, I move more like the aging old dog that I am. That is why I nearly
took a bath in an icy stream in the Columbia Gorge recently. Fallen logs over
rushing Casey Creek, ornamented with dangling icicles, hinted at a potentially
slick crossing. Testing one of the creek’s ice-covered boulders by stepping on
it with little pressure also told me that trying to cross the creek on boulders
would most likely land me flat on my back in the middle of the rushing, frigid
creek – quite uncat-like.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://trailstrialstrivialities.blogspot.com/2013/01/spared-from-frigid-hike-out-of-herman.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comHood River, USA45.627484212338246 -121.8232727050781245.538689712338247 -121.98463420507812 45.716278712338244 -121.66191120507813tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-74683271475615570072013-01-20T12:40:00.000-08:002013-01-20T12:40:22.988-08:00Chances of seeing wolves in Northeastern Oregon while on a hike growing
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<td style="background: rgb(83, 3, 4); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 17.25pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Pack/Area<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(83, 3, 4); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 17.25pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">End of 2009<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(83, 3, 4); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 17.25pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">End of 2010<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(83, 3, 4); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 17.25pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">End of 2011<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(83, 3, 4); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 17.25pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">End of 2012<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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</tr>
<tr style="height: 17.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Imnaha Pack<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">10<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">15<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">5 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">8 *<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr style="height: 17.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Wenaha Pack<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">6<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">5 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">11 *<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</tr>
<tr style="height: 17.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Walla Walla Pack<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">8 *<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">6 *<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr style="height: 17.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Snake River Pack<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">5 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">7 *<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Umatilla River Pack<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">2 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4 *<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Upper Minam River Pack<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">7<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Minam Pack<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">5<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Sled Springs pair<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">2<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Individual wolves<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">2<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Radio-collared disperser<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(244, 242, 232); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: rgb(226, 222, 194); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Minimum Total <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(226, 222, 194); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">14<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(226, 222, 194); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">21<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(226, 222, 194); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">29<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(226, 222, 194); border: 1pt solid rgb(121, 121, 121); height: 17.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid #797979 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">53**<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
These are the latest stats issued by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as of the end of 2012. The number of wolves in Oregon nearly doubled in 2012. These are minimums, which are determined by ODFW staff through direct evidence, so it is likely the actually population is greater.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="margin: auto auto auto -1in; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 769px;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in; width: 576.75pt;" valign="top" width="769">
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-89592019825774210682013-01-18T21:11:00.002-08:002013-01-18T21:11:31.664-08:00Hiker stumbles across a unique item while hiking near Hong Kong<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img zemanta-action-dragged" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mount_Davis_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="English: Photo of Mount Davis" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Mount_Davis_4.jpg/300px-Mount_Davis_4.jpg" style="border: currentColor; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mt. Davis</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here’s one for the “You Never Know What You May Come Across
on a Trail” file. A hiker walking a trail in Hong Kong spotted something
peculiar Friday - an unexploded World War II-era artillery shell.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Officers evacuated 22 people from a nearby hostel and
cordoned off the area after the expatriate hiker discovered the Japanese
artillery shell on <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=22.277028,114.124789&spn=1.0,1.0&q=22.277028,114.124789 (Mount%20Davis%2C%20Hong%20Kong)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Mount Davis, Hong Kong">Mount Davis</a> at the western edge of the Hong Kong island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Television news footage showed a large dark green metal
object protruding from the muddy ground amidst dense tree coverage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Last year hundreds of people were evacuated by police when a
British artillery shell was found in Hong Kong, which was the scene of fierce
fighting between Japanese and British allied forces in 1941. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_f.png?x-id=359198ff-6c52-457e-9f2c-6fe14bfffef8" style="border: currentColor; float: right;" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-9443240542205447192013-01-14T19:03:00.000-08:002013-01-14T19:08:00.821-08:00Plunging temperatures and a wrong turn prove tragic for father and sons<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This story is tragic on so many levels and contains numerous lessons for people entering the outdoors. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An Air Force veteran known as an experienced hiker died
along with two of his young sons after apparently getting lost on a desolate
Missouri trail in heavy rain and plunging temperatures, according to a Fox News
report. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David Decareaux, 36, of Millstadt, Ill., and his 8- and
10-year-old sons were found Sunday, a day after they ventured out with their
4-month-old yellow Labrador retriever on the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=35.0,-99.0&spn=1.0,1.0&q=35.0,-99.0 (Ozark%20Trail%20%28auto%20trail%29)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ozark Trail (auto trail)">Ozark Trail</a>, about 110 miles
southwest of St. Louis.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Decareaux died at the scene, and the boys were declared dead
at a hospital after efforts to revive them failed. It is believed the three
died of exposure to the elements, though autopsies were planned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dog was found near the victims and survived.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apparently, Decareaux knew the popular trail but apparently
took a wrong turn and was ill-equipped for temperatures that sank from 60
degrees to the 20s as the day progressed. Decareaux had been wearing only a
light jacket, while one of his sons was clad in a fleece pullover, and the
other a sweater.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A passer-by spotted the hikers more than three hours into
their journey and asked if they needed a ride back to the Brushy Creek Lodge
near Black, where Decareaux's wife and their three other children - ages 12, 4
and 2 - were staying. But Decareaux declined, telling the man they could make
it back.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"They just missed their turn back to the lodge," a
sheriff said. "By that time, their light played out. You don't have any
ambient light down here because there are no cities or towns. When it's dark
you can't see the back of your hand."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Officials at the lodge called the sheriff's department about
7 p.m. Saturday, concerned that the hikers had not returned. A search involving
more than 50 volunteers on foot, horseback and in vehicles lasted until about
12:30 a.m. Sunday, when flash-flooding in creeks forced searchers to back off
until daylight.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bodies of Decareaux and the boys were found soaking wet
Sunday morning, their dog beside them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_f.png?x-id=89e9537a-ec05-4f9d-9099-40040801275b" style="border: currentColor; float: right;" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-711860762318547402013-01-10T18:36:00.001-08:002013-01-10T18:36:44.326-08:00Oregon man fakes being lost on hiking trip, may face criminal charges<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_Oregon_highlighting_Malheur_County.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Map of Oregon highlighting Malheur County" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="232" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Map_of_Oregon_highlighting_Malheur_County.png" style="border: currentColor; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Malheur County Oregon</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to the Ontario Argus Observer, the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.21,-117.63&spn=1.0,1.0&q=43.21,-117.63 (Malheur%20County%2C%20Oregon)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Malheur County, Oregon">Malheur County</a>
Sheriff's Office started a search and rescue effort – complete with a plane and
16 volunteers - on Jan. 8 after receiving a call that a man, on a 10-day hiking
trip in the area, was lost. It just so happens that the man, 68-year-old Gene
Pratt of Sandy, Ore., was sitting in a motel room, playing a prank on his wife,
who worried that he might be lost.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/91779914@N00/5223569843" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="USA - OR - Malheur County Sheriff (old style)" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5245/5223569843_8892153705_m.jpg" style="border: currentColor; font-size: 0.8em;" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"These types of situations we're not really happy
about," said Malheur County Sheriff Brian Wolfe. "We had people out
in the dark, the National Guard about to take off, and lots of people on slick
roads."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apparently, police are going to bill the man for their work
and are considering pressing criminal charges for the hoax.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_f.png?x-id=abf0efe8-9958-438a-a128-645d7f25e9b6" style="border: currentColor; float: right;" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comMalheur, OR, USA43.21716 -117.5791891999999740.2546875 -122.74276319999997 46.1796325 -112.41561519999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-62593931695364825832013-01-06T11:24:00.000-08:002013-01-06T11:24:33.597-08:00Lost hikers found in Columbia River Gorge near Nesmith Point
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two hikers from Portland got lost above the snow line on
Nesmith Point on Saturday afternoon, prompting a search and rescue operation,
according to reports. The two Portland women were found just after midnight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The husband of one of the hikers reported he received a call
from his wife around 3 p.m. Saturday. She told him they were at the top of
Nesmith Point and had become disoriented while backtracking after the snow
fell, covering both the trail and their footsteps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Search and rescue crews staged at <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_B._Yeon_State_Scenic_Corridor" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="John B. Yeon State Scenic Corridor">John B. Yeon State Park</a> hiked
uphill to an elevation of 3,800 feet in icy conditions and extreme weather. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The women were experienced hikers and had dressed appropriately
for the conditions, packed food and water and stayed put until rescuers
arrived. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They were brought down and reunited with friends and family
members at about 3:45 a.m. Sunday morning.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_f.png?x-id=19616302-f14f-4b99-9b39-3f16136dd589" style="border: currentColor; float: right;" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comMultnomah, OR, USA45.595463247868196 -122.0103952047851445.584352747868195 -122.03056520478513 45.6065737478682 -121.99022520478515tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-41762862197416639012013-01-06T10:36:00.003-08:002013-01-06T11:28:15.366-08:00Coyote drags sweater-wearing, unleashed dog from trail, suggesting a leash would have kept it alive<span style="font-family: Arial;">After hiking with unleashed dogs for a few years, it became
apparent over time that, despite the minor hassle of holding a leash and
keeping a dog from either hugging my legs or dragging me down the trail, a
leash was probably the appropriate course to take. Two incidents finally
steered me toward this conclusion. One was when my dog ran off into the forest
after smelling a deer in eastern Oregon’s Elkhorn Mountains. The other was when
the same dog ran up to oncoming hikers and jumped on them playfully but in a
way some hikers could perceive as menacingly. </span><br>
<br>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A recent incident out of Utah suggests that keeping your dog
on a leash might save its life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><a href="http://trailstrialstrivialities.blogspot.com/2013/01/coyote-drags-sweater-wearing-unleashed.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comEnsign Peak, Salt Lake City, UT 84103, USA40.7943902 -111.8904921999999815.272355700000002 -153.19908619999998 66.3164247 -70.581898199999983tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-46704011618079117602012-12-30T12:58:00.001-08:002012-12-30T13:25:06.418-08:00Rescued in Oregon - how much you might pay out of pocket<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="zemanta-img">
<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Greek_AS-332C-1_Super_Puma_SAR_%283%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="English: An AS-332 Super Puma, of the Hellenic..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Greek_AS-332C-1_Super_Puma_SAR_%283%29.JPG/300px-Greek_AS-332C-1_Super_Puma_SAR_%283%29.JPG" height="300" style="border: currentColor; font-size: 0.8em;" width="400"></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Search and rescue helicopter</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To pay or not to pay? <o:p></o:p></span><br>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is the question increasingly posed when hikers, or
anyone else for that matter, are rescued. Should those rescued pay the cost of
their own rescue? It is a sticky question, where a black and white answer is
possible, but varying tones of gray seem most reasonable. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://trailstrialstrivialities.blogspot.com/2012/12/rescued-in-oregon-how-much-you-might.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-29682174419138921922012-12-30T10:27:00.001-08:002012-12-30T10:41:03.503-08:00Horse rider leaves southern end of Molalla River Rim Trail a muddy mess<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SkP6VAF95XYN9cxYl0_zA5soLwvtql6pF3s3bIcQk15Vkxgs9a1oSjnTyzB73DcXZj5YlbCTTjVqWREu4u4ndQ0xfMYmBy33zSx63ASD1sU5FK40lmlzwcmD2lCAQJW7xJGmeQQRyg4/s1600/2012-12-29+001+013+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SkP6VAF95XYN9cxYl0_zA5soLwvtql6pF3s3bIcQk15Vkxgs9a1oSjnTyzB73DcXZj5YlbCTTjVqWREu4u4ndQ0xfMYmBy33zSx63ASD1sU5FK40lmlzwcmD2lCAQJW7xJGmeQQRyg4/s1600/2012-12-29+001+013+(2).jpg" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mossy trees in the Molalla River corridor</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a firm believer that horses, where appropriate, should
be allowed to carry people along Oregon’s trails. Not all trails, but many.
Exceptions would include fragile areas where horse traffic damages trails and
certain times of year, when wet conditions and the weight of a horse can tear
up a trail. Unfortunately, I recently witnessed the damage a horse can do to a
trail, obviously caused by a negligent rider who either couldn’t read or didn’t
care. I’m willing to bet it was the latter.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://trailstrialstrivialities.blogspot.com/2012/12/horse-rider-leaves-southern-end-of.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comClackamas, OR, USA44.959721509242293 -122.4602952549804544.948486009242295 -122.48046525498044 44.970957009242291 -122.44012525498046tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-28069208386014827112012-12-28T12:57:00.000-08:002012-12-28T12:57:51.198-08:00More walks inside the Molalla River corridor<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vlXE3pK-Cmn7_JOAtVDU-rXtiGp9txlwxceMwrkyIr4ykrPiVgbvk7pd85NPI60qTARkU-j_S3flnkuPJSgnCB_zJ0wZU_KJiVxkx5P8I5xVkxpJIWhfbPWyfrvOWpLdfdYGG_-ALNY/s1600/2012-12-27+001+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vlXE3pK-Cmn7_JOAtVDU-rXtiGp9txlwxceMwrkyIr4ykrPiVgbvk7pd85NPI60qTARkU-j_S3flnkuPJSgnCB_zJ0wZU_KJiVxkx5P8I5xVkxpJIWhfbPWyfrvOWpLdfdYGG_-ALNY/s1600/2012-12-27+001+016.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Saturated, mossy trailway in the Molalla River corridor</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After having
familiarized myself more with the short and abundant trails along the </span><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.2897222222,-122.721666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=45.2897222222,-122.721666667 (Molalla%20River)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Molalla River"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Molalla
River</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> corridor, I have come to the conclusion that these trails (and logging
roads) resemble what I would describe as “nature trails.” That is not a bad
thing, but the experience offered by this trail system is limited – far more restricted
than the nearby trails in the </span><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=44.9626221,-122.3434149&spn=0.1,0.1&q=44.9626221,-122.3434149 (Table%20Rock%20Wilderness)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Table Rock Wilderness"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Table Rock Wilderness</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://trailstrialstrivialities.blogspot.com/2012/12/more-walks-inside-molalla-river-corridor.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comClackamas, OR, USA45.040319721650619 -122.4891343663085845.029099221650618 -122.50930436630857 45.051540221650619 -122.46896436630858tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-56346417599629129552012-12-25T12:28:00.000-08:002012-12-25T12:28:35.731-08:00Zigzagging short climb up Wahkeena Falls Trail in the rain well worth the effort<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-1WqryebHKY2s9bdZCEobt_YnBmcT7EY4sykRFNY6ffp6W5vv_3_7LhcoQdLJY4CJd8YoSiFNWwdN0ZG18b8lEmWbvSrGYkDL4Fk03OpoTFRcbhzWKPrTksB9T9oyUKWlozaeOIZy-4/s1600/2012-12-22+001+040+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-1WqryebHKY2s9bdZCEobt_YnBmcT7EY4sykRFNY6ffp6W5vv_3_7LhcoQdLJY4CJd8YoSiFNWwdN0ZG18b8lEmWbvSrGYkDL4Fk03OpoTFRcbhzWKPrTksB9T9oyUKWlozaeOIZy-4/s1600/2012-12-22+001+040+(2).jpg" height="400" width="300"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.5745,-122.1276&spn=0.1,0.1&q=45.5745,-122.1276 (Wahkeena%20Falls)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Wahkeena Falls"><span style="font-size: small;">Wahkeena Creek</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> rumbling and tumbling below the bridge </span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">while water falls plunge above the bridge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After 28 switchbacks (my own unofficial count) up the side of the
Columbia Gorge’s steep canyon walls, the top of the Wahkeena Falls Trail is
reached. There, it intersects with the Vista Point Trail. This is a bittersweet
point of the trail, because it marks the spot where the wonderfully scenic
trail ends, but, even at only 1.6 miles, a sense of accomplishment can be had. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://trailstrialstrivialities.blogspot.com/2012/12/zigzagging-short-climb-up-wahkeena.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comMultnomah, OR, USA45.574428259614265 -122.1276272158691545.573733759614264 -122.12888771586915 45.575122759614267 -122.12636671586915tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-41531042115988853492012-12-23T15:19:00.001-08:002012-12-23T15:25:32.404-08:00Video: Elk graze near Cannon BeachA few elk enjoying a lazy December day near Cannon Beach, Oregon.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.koinlocal6.com/s/27kZbDzMmECHa3xSfBw_cA.cspx#.UNeRWSQ5QcQ.blogger">Video: Elk graze near Cannon Beach</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comCannon Beach, OR, USA45.8917738 -123.9615274000000245.803347800000004 -124.12288890000002 45.9801998 -123.80016590000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-15412225122410634752012-12-22T16:27:00.000-08:002012-12-23T15:10:04.737-08:00Molalla River corridor trails' low elevations suitable for winter walking in the woods<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDgH8LfObncIBKrsMMsk_s57SQORPZrWNC1X6EPBqOcACFrRK9bVflWCiNa9SoQ8ZqVqlhBojL5mvBdsKsSb1ykfqO5A1Achg_8bYJo5euPIgWzC63UqSUp41Llc56BKDmlWnlzEjdPw/s1600/2012-12-20+001+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDgH8LfObncIBKrsMMsk_s57SQORPZrWNC1X6EPBqOcACFrRK9bVflWCiNa9SoQ8ZqVqlhBojL5mvBdsKsSb1ykfqO5A1Achg_8bYJo5euPIgWzC63UqSUp41Llc56BKDmlWnlzEjdPw/s1600/2012-12-20+001+031.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Typical Oregon second-growth forest</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Low snow
elevations and decent weather prompted a hike along the trails of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.2897222222,-122.721666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=45.2897222222,-122.721666667 (Molalla%20River)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Molalla River">Molalla
River</a> corridor. This labyrinth of paths along the slopes above the upper
reaches of the Molalla River rise from 800 feet up to 1,400 feet in elevation. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="http://trailstrialstrivialities.blogspot.com/2012/12/molalla-river-corridor-trails-low.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comSouth Hardy Road, Molalla, OR 97038, USA45.0497831 -122.5100598000000245.0273456 -122.55040030000002 45.0722206 -122.46971930000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-18737595864472528882012-12-20T19:03:00.002-08:002012-12-23T09:33:25.417-08:00Woman finds shelter away from cougar inside stink box<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img zemanta-action-dragged" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="zemanta-img">
<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mountain_lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cougar" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Mountain_lion.jpg/300px-Mountain_lion.jpg" height="257" style="border: currentColor; font-size: 0.8em;" width="400"></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Cougar</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A woman was out hiking with her dog recently near Boulder,
Colorado. A mountain lion crept up on her to the point where she discovered the
cougar only three feet away. So, what did she do? While making noise and raising her arms in the air, she slowly made her way
over to an outhouse about 50 yards away and hid with her dog inside the honey bucket.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite her attempts to scare away the mountain lion, the
young cat apparently stuck around for several minutes before wandering off. Being
young, it was probably more interested in the dog than her.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://trailstrialstrivialities.blogspot.com/2012/12/woman-finds-shelter-away-from-cougar.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comBoulder, CO, USA40.0149856 -105.2705455999999939.820446600000004 -105.59326909999999 40.2095246 -104.9478221tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-59744719177244888702012-12-19T10:49:00.000-08:002012-12-19T10:49:29.150-08:00Fee-free days announced for National Parks <div itemprop="articleBody">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fee-free days at U.S. National Parks in 2013 will be as follows:</span></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Martin Luther King Day</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, Jan. 21; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">National Park Week, April 22-26; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">National Park Service Birthday, Aug. 26; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">National Public Lands Day, Sept. 28;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Veterans Day weekend, Nov. 9-11.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fee-free designation applies to entrance fees only and does not affect fees for camping, reservations, tours or other special uses. Park entrance stations will have interagency senior and annual passes available for purchase.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-36170585141605263422012-12-18T17:54:00.001-08:002012-12-23T09:34:31.430-08:00Cover all your bases and you still might get clubbed by a falling tree<br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realize it’s a far cry from sitting at home on the couch watching
a football game or raking leaves in the yard or writing for a blog, but the
number of folks that wander into the wild and subsequently get lost or hurt is
staggering to me. Maybe, in all my escapades outdoors, I’ve just been
fortunate. I had no idea so many people took ill-fated turns or slipped on wet
rocks in the wilds – until I began searching for these incidents on the
internet.</span><br>
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</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://trailstrialstrivialities.blogspot.com/2012/12/cover-all-your-bases-and-you-still.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comPolallie Creek, Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon 97041, USA45.4187281 -121.5686852999999719.896693600000003 -162.87727929999997 70.9407626 -80.260091299999971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-76866174826903338762012-12-17T18:08:00.000-08:002012-12-23T09:36:05.190-08:00Lost fishermen resort to cannibalism in the Russian taiga<br>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Back in November, two Russians were rescued after being lost
for four months in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiga" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Taiga">taiga</a> wilderness. How did they survive? In part,
apparently, by eating their comrade.<o:p></o:p></span><br>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Taiga.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The taiga is found throughout the high norther..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Taiga.png/300px-Taiga.png" height="149" style="border: currentColor; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300"></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The taiga is found throughout the high northern latitudes, between the tundra, and the steppes. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><a href="http://trailstrialstrivialities.blogspot.com/2012/12/back-in-november-two-russians-were.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comSakha, Russia66.7613451 124.1237530999999337.5982161 41.506565599999931 90 -153.25905940000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580298428350302740.post-90006472530467784772012-12-12T06:55:00.000-08:002012-12-23T09:37:03.502-08:00Education, not restrictions the conclusion of bear attacks review in YNP<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grizzly_YNP.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4d/Grizzly_YNP.png/300px-Grizzly_YNP.png" height="237" style="border: currentColor; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300"></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a recent review of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grizzly_bear" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Grizzly bear">grizzly bear</a> attacks, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/28" rel="unesco" target="_blank" title="Yellowstone National Park">Yellowstone
National Park</a> managers have decided against establishing new backcountry use
restrictions in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=44.6438888889,-110.455555556&spn=0.01,0.01&q=44.6438888889,-110.455555556 (Hayden%20Valley)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Hayden Valley">Hayden Valley</a>. The review was in response to two fatal bear
attacks within the park in summer 2011, the Yellowstone Gate reported.</span><br>
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</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://trailstrialstrivialities.blogspot.com/2012/12/education-not-restrictions-conclusion.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560236847719351331noreply@blogger.comGrand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA44.6438286 -110.455480538.8762006 -120.56290249999999 50.4114566 -100.3480585