PROPOSED MT

MT. HOOD OREGON '08 FAMILY SUMMIT HIKES

<= o:p>

2008 Summit Hiking Program=

&= nbsp; ”My guess would be that someone someday will trace the roots of modern human loneliness to a loss of intimacy with place, to our many breaks with the physical Earth. We a= re not out there much anymore. Even = when we are, we are often too quick to take things in. A member of the group who insists = on lingering is ‘holding everyone else up.’ I think about this kind of detachm= ent from the physical world frequently, because human beings, generally, seem to long for a specific place, a certain geography that gives them a sense of well-being.” Barry Lopez, National Geographic Magazine, Dec. = 2007.

Things to know about all of the= hikes

a) "Hikes" vs. "Rambles":

On = "hikes", we emphasize safety = and the experience. The experience generally is enhanced by the group getting to a set destination or two. Even “easy” hikes are intended to be primarily an athlet= ic, rather than an interpretive activity. Natural history or history interpretation may take place. Hikes generally keep a steady pace= .

&qu= ot;Rambles" are natural history and/or historical interpretative activities with some walking involved. Walking pace is irregular and easy= . A set destination is rare or not an important goal. Rambles are n= ot listed in this section of our website.&nbs= p; They can be found on the main Adult Activity Schedule.

b) Expectations of hikers<= /b>:

1) You should count on one qualif= ied, experienced, fit hike leader with good navigation skills/aids, good wildern= ess first aid skills/gear, and good group leadership/coordination skills.

2) You should count on one qualified, fit "Summit Assistant" = in a support role.

3) You should count on the hikes on the Summit schedule to be the very best tha= t the region has to offer!

c) Responsibilities of hikers:=

1) We count on you to judge your fitness and agility levels to match ot= hers on an "easy" or "moderate" or "strenuous" hik= e.

2) We count on you to be prepared with good footwear (hiking boots with= the possible exception of the "easy" hikes.)

3) We count on you to wear and/or have available layers of proper cloth= ing for the temperature and rain conditions..see below.

4) We count on you to carry sufficient drinking water. In the past, we have supplied disposable bottles of water for our hikes. This year, Family Nature Summits w= ill be supplying every Summiteer with a reusable 24 oz. water bottle (BPA free) wi= th our logo on it. You can buy additional bottles in our store for $5 each if you like, or bring your own = from home. We will have carboys of= cold water to fill your bottles prior to the start of our hikes each day.

5) We count on you to keep an open mind about observing and discussing issues of environmental concern; examples: <= /span>

a) the discontinued (1993) cle= ar cuts in Bull Run, the unique P= ortland unfiltered drinking water watershed visible on some hikes

b) the evidence of rapid glaci= al warming/melting visible on most hikes and how it relates to global climate change=

c) Portland's pro-sprawl Measure 37 (2004)= and anti-sprawl Measure 49 (2007) (effects visible to all driving from the airp= ort)

d) 2007 legislation to add Mt. Hood Nat’l Forest Wilderness Areas such as our E. Devils Pk. hike, &a= mp; make Zigzag a National Scenic River

e) Current proposals by BLM to triple logging in western Ore= gon.        =

f) Salmon management, closures=

6) We count on you to promptly let the hike leader know of any problems, hot spots (blisters-to-be!), other first aid problems, etc. and to go along with their requests, suggestions, and direction. The latter will always include "staying with the group."

7) We count on you to be patient, as unforeseen conditions will sometim= es lead to delayed returns back to the Summit site.

HIKING GEAR NEEDS

   &nbs= p; (*As recommended by Danny Bernstein, 2007 Summit faculty)

IN YOUR DAYPACK:

= 2 quarts water       &nbs= p;   Sunscreen

Energy snack       &nbs= p;     Tissues

Rain jacket       &nbs= p;         First aid items*

Long-sleeved shirt      Small flashlight*

Sunglasses       &nbs= p;         Plastic bag-trash       &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;

Sun hat       &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; Map, compass*

Insect repellent

*carried by hike leader

TO WEAR:

Shorts or light pants

Short-sleeved T-shirt

Hiking Boots

Hiking Socks

Bandana

If not summer**:

Fleece sweater or jacket <= /p>
Wool or fleece hat & gloves

Rain pants

**A= verage July 5-11 temperatures for the 4000 ft. level here, reached by many of our hikes, are 65 for a high, 44 for a low.&nb= sp; The Summit<= /st1:City> site at 1350 ft. averages 75 for a high, 50 for a low. Our Timberline Lodge hike at 6100 = ft. above sea level figures to average about 60 for a high, 39 for a low even before factoring in wind and impacts of snow cover. <= /a> We are in a temperate rainforest / montane zone. The = <= span style=3D'mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'>Summit si= te and most hike locations meet the official definition for a temperate rainforest which includes a minimum of 60 inches of precipitation on average per year (Welches gets 74 inches, though only 1 inch on average in both July and August.)   The average lo= w of 49 and average high of 74 this time of year places Welches firmly in the tempe= rate zone, while the higher areas easily meet the montane zone requirements.

d) "Unlike/ like some previous Summits….":

1).….We are just 45 minutes = from one of the world's most outdoor-recreation-oriented million-population metropolitan areas, and we cannot expect isolation on any hike during the w= eek following July 4. And remembe= r, hikers step aside for horses.

      The upside= is that the trails have been uniformly well maintained for decades by groups s= uch as the Mazamas.

2)….We are in the Wes= t, but these volcanic soils have surprisingly few bad rocky areas, such that trails did not need to be rated on "footing" this year. Exposed, slippery roots (& snow packs on the Timberline hike) may be exceptions.

3)….Briars and thorny bushes intruding on the trail are not a problem, as the trails are well maintained amidst the rhododendron, ferns, huckleberry, and other sub-canopy vegetation. Unless noted, eve= ry hike is in shaded, mature, mostly evergreen forest.

4)….All but four of our hikes enter National Forest Wilderness Areas, with their strict "12 heartbeat" size limit for any group.&= nbsp; (If we were to split into two 12 person groups, they have to be at l= east a ½ hour apart.)

5)….We have rather short tra= vel time (19 miles or less for all but the Columbia Gorge hike) without sacrifi= cing hike quality at all!

6)….Chris Doyle, a knowledge= able ranger in this Zigzag District of Mt. Hood National = Forest, provided guidance and suggestions for most of these hikes.

The Hikes=

1) Little Zigzag Falls   Easiest, 1.1 mile, 200 ft. climb to 3400 ft.

A well-worn, gentle fern and moss l= aden path along the creek to an enchanting waterfall. Early afternoon hiking may elimina= te overly-dark photographs in this shaded, westward-flowing valley.=

2) Bald Mtn   Easy, 2.3 miles, 600 ft. climb to 4400 ft.

The= most accessible alpine meadows to our Summit site (closer and less crowded than the Timberline Lodge area.)   After the initial 400 ft. ha= lf mile climb you'll say "well worth it!" as you break out of the fo= rest for expansive views of Mt= . Hood's glaciers onl= y 2.5 miles away. The steep, sunny, south-facing alpine meadow has a level trail running through July wildflower displays. You can ponder whet= her the c. 1800 mud flows or the 2006 50-year flood was more devastating to the Muddy Fork valley far below. = Partly on the Pacific Crest and Timberline Trails. Mt. Hood Wilderness Area. This hike's route is also completely covered by hikes #= 10 and #11 below.

3) Mirror La= ke   Easy+, 3.5 miles, 700 ft. climb to 4100 ft.

The breathtaking destination for this region's most popular hike provides plent= y of vantage points for clear views of 11,249 ft. Mt. Hood's glaciers, just 5 miles away, reflected in the lake on a still morning. The trail and boardwalk surroundin= g the lake also provide up close looks at wetland environments. This hike's route is also compl= etely covered by hike #9 below.

4) Timberline Lodge to Zigzag Cany= on Overlook Easy+, 4.3 miles, 700 ft. climb to 6100 ft., snow-impacted.

Str= olling around the side of a “potentially active” volcano, looking up at glaciers only a mile away, is, well, not something you can do just anywhere. This hike may be cancelled and another substituted due to July snow levels; on May 25, 2008 = snow levels were the third highest in the past quarter century here at 160 inche= s on the ground (avg: 49) and a couple more feet were picked up in early June. This highest Summit hike ends at a gulp-inducing view down into Zigz= ag Canyon and up at Mt. Hood and the Mississippi Head. You= 'll spend some time looking at the striking architecture of the 1937 Timberline Lodge and the historical exhibits inside.&= nbsp; If time allows, a short hike eastward from the lodge brings you to t= he "Buried Forest Overlook" (from the "Old Maid Eruption" = here about 200+ years ago.) Check = http:/= /www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/maps/sitepages/21d08s.html for current snow depths 500 f= t. below this hike. Ski slopes a= nd ski lifts will be open in July. P= artly on the Pacific Crest and Timberline Trails.   Mt. Hood Wilderness Area.

5) Salmon R= iver Old Growth   <= /b>Easy+, ~6 miles, 400 ft. climb to 2000 ft.

    When "hugging" a tr= ee requires four big adults, you know that you’re in an untouched (by ma= n) virgin forest, some of the 3% of the old growth in <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">Oregon not yet destroyed. You'll see what a temperate rainfo= rest should look like, including the characteristic old growth mounds and many giants toppled upon fallen "nurse trees."   The crowds of the first mile= will dissipate and you'll get up close and personal with the second biggest Summit hike river= , the Salmon. No waterfalls, but pl= enty of virgin western red cedars, Douglas fi= rs, and western hemlocks. Salmon-= Huckleberry Wilderness Area. <= /span>

6) Six Falls + Four Columbia Gorge= Stops + One Creek-wade <= /b>Moderate, 5.3 miles, 950 ft. climb to 800 ft.

The= largest collection of tall waterfalls on the continent. 1) Get out at Cr= own Point Vista House, exclaim "wow" and reach for the camera. It's the best viewpoint on the Gor= ge roads. 2) Get out at 615 ft. Multnomah Falls= , the 2nd tallest in the U.S. and the top attraction in Oregon<= /st1:place>. Optional hike 0.6 mi. round trip a= nd 200 ft. up to Benson Bridge's up close, "spray in = the face" span of the gorge. 3) Take the only regio= nal hike where 2.5 miles brings you to five striking waterfalls. Horsetail Falls is 176 feet tall. You'll hike "behind" Ponytail Falls (and stay dry) before the uphill climb to= Triple Falls. 4) Get wet on the return hike if you so choose by wading up skinny Oneo= nta Gorge to see spectacular = Lower Oneonta Falls. The sheer canyon walls provide no = other hiking option, so wear hiking boots but bring sports sandals or sneakers. Finally, stop near Bonneville Dam = on the Columbia River to: 5) watch a boat lock through (if y= our timing is good), 6) watch fish through the glass and look at exhibits at the fish ladder, and 7) meet (through glass) Herman the Sturgeon at the fish hatchery; he's 10 feet long and 60 years old.

   Note that while this may loo= k like a “tour,” much of the time will be spent hiking 5 to 6 miles wi= th 900 to 1100 feet of climb, a "moderate" rated hike. You should not join this trip if n= ot comfortable with doing 6 miles at a moderate pace, as your slow pace on this loop hike would mean that the group would miss out on some stops. Instead, sign up for a regular Gor= ge Tour. Do not sign up for both= .

7) Bonanza Gold Mine and Last Leap Cascades Moderate, 5.7 miles, 1100 ft. climb to 2450 ft.

While our destination is a ~100 ye= ar old gold mine, getting there is equally interesting. The second lowest elevation Summit hike, you'= ll stroll along alder-lined Cheeney Creek to beautiful "Last Leap Cascades" which is the furthest spot reached by Chinook and Coho salmon during their migrations over 150 miles from the Pacific. From there a steady climb is requi= red to reach the gold mine.   Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness Area.=

8) Ramona Fa= lls   Moderate, 6.5 miles, 1100 ft. climb to 3500 ft.

One= of the region's "marquee hikes.” You will be charmed by effervescent= Ramona Falls, dropping in numerous lacy veils over black basalt. Getting there is also interesting a= nd scenic, as the Upper Sandy River's Nov. 2006 50-year flood dramatically altered the valley's appearance. It also opened up even more the vi= ews of Mt. Hood's glaciers just 2.5 miles away. Getting back is a magic= al stroll amidst towering old growth and lush cascades next to Ramona Creek's sheer cliffs. This contrasts = with the volcanic pyroclastic mudflow sediments, stunted lodgepole pines, and 40 trees in the “Buried Forest”, now exposed and still standing a= fter being buried by the mudflows near Old Maid Flat courtesy of the Mt. Hood "Old Maid eruption" 200+ years ago. Partly on the Pacific Crest and Timberline Trails. Mt. Hood Wilderness Area. This hike= 's route is also completely covered by hike #11 below.

9) Mirror La= ke & Tom Dick Harry Mtn. Moderate+, 6.7 miles, 1600 ft. climb to 4950 ft., possibly impacted by snow cover.

A c= lear morning is helpful on this exposed extension to the Mirror Lake hike, which has the best vi= ews of 10,497 ft. Mt. Jefferson 42 miles away. With luck, Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens (both 66 miles) and e= ven Mt. Rainier (109 miles) will be visible. = Bring binoculars. If cloudy, weR= 17;ll look for marmots and picas. Snow cover may require a "Plan B." Also see the Mirror Lake hike description above. This hike covers all the route of #3 above.=

=

10) Sandy Glacier View via Bald Mtn= . Moderate+, 6.7 miles, 1900 ft. climb to 5550 ft., possibly shortened= by snow cover.

The Summit's closest approach to both = Mt. Hood and its glaciers. This hike delights throughout, from the breathtaking Bald Mtn. hillside alpine meadows in = the first mile (see description above) to even better views of Mt. Hood's half-mile-distant glaciers when you break out into the open again after a 1= .5 mile uphill woods walk. If ti= me permits, we don’t plan to turn around until circling the pond near Mc= Gee Creek for a final dramatic Mt. Hood and Yocum Ridge view. Partly on the Pacific C= rest and Timberline Trails.   = Mt. Hood Wilderness Area.   Thi= s hike covers all the route of #2 above.

11) The Combo: Ramona Falls via Bald Mtn. Moderate+, 9.0 miles, 1200 ft. climb to 4400 ft.

This hike "has it all" wi= th the region's premier waterfall and some of the best views of Mt. Hood's glaciers a mere 2.5 miles away. A sp= ecial, nationally-known expert will "drop in" to guest lecture at one pa= rt of the hike. See the Bald Mtn. and = Ramona Falls descriptions above. A long de= scent into the old growth leads to a mystical uphill stroll amidst lush cascades = next to Ramona= Creek's sheer moss-covered cliffs.= Ramona Falls is a truly special waterfall. Getting to the hike's end at Old Maid Flat is interesting and scenic= , as the Upper= Sandy River's Nov. 2006 50 year flood left huge trees strewn about the valley and tore va= st chunks from the riverside volcanic deposits. Partly on the Pacific Crest and Timberline Trails. Mt. Hood Wilderness Area. This hike covers all the route of #2 and #8 above. This hike also covers part of hike= #10 above.

12) Burnt La= ke   Moderate+, 8.2 miles, 1600 ft. climb to 4100 ft.

One= of the region's "marquee hikes." On a clear day, this may be the best place, period, to "soak up" the experience of a remote forested lake ringed by evergreen slopes framing a big volcano's profile. Mt. Hood's Zig Zag and Reid Glaciers, just 3 miles away, face southwest and reflect the midday sun in a glaring display of rapidly melting ice and snow. The area really "heated up&qu= ot; in the forest fires of the early 1900's. You'll see many huge fire scarred trunks as you near Burnt Lake. Prior to that, the forest is by co= ntrast quite lush amidst giant cedars and moss-covered logs. A short side trip to a small water= fall provides a nice break on the hike. <= /span>Mt. Hood Wilderness Area.

13) Up & Over Devils Peak   Strenuous, 9.0 miles, 3500 ft. climb to 5050 ft., possibly impacted = by snow cover.

The underrated, lightly visited Green Canyon Way route provides a delightful final 1= /3 to this hike. The middle 1/3 = along Hunchback Ridge would be much more delightful without stepping over hundred= s of fallen lodgepole pine and scrambling over half a dozen, courtesy of windfal= l after a mountain pine beetle invasion. The first 1/3 up the poorly named Cool Creek Trail is rarely “delightful” unless you thrive on a lung-bursting 3,200 ft. of climb in 3.2 miles. (Do the math!) Various overlooks of Mt. = Hood, 9.5 miles away and Mt. Adams 68 miles away, provide good excuses for catching one's breath. The views from Devil's Peak on top= are all the more inspiring of a clear day.&nbs= p; Scheduled for the final day to minimize time for hikers to brag about their accomplishment! Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness Area.