Thursday, May 30, 2013 - I flew to Portland by way of Chicago and Santa Ana. It was a free ticket using miles, free bags too. The flight from
Chicago to Santa Ana followed the Grand Canyon from Lake Powell to Lake Mead. In Portland, I rented a car and drove to the Timberline Lodge at Mt.
Hood. The Subaru Outback rental was big enough to sleep in, which I did. This is allowed in the overnight parking area at Timberline. The route to
the top of Mt. Hood starts at the Timberline Lodge at 5800 feet and goes up the right side of the ski area for about two miles, paralleling the
Palmer ski lift. It passes the Silcox warming hut at about one mile. Camping is allowed outside of the ski area, 200 yards past the end of the Palmer
ski lift. The ski lift ends at 8600 feet.
Friday, May 31, 2013 - I hiked to 9000 feet and leveled a spot in the snow next to a rock. The butane/propane canister that I bought in Portland for
my stove did not have threads and I could not use it. So I couldn't make hot food or melt snow for water.
Saturday, June 1, 2013 - I decided to hike down. It was windy. The tent almost blew away when I took it down. The sheet of plastic I put under it took
off like a kite. I hiked back down to the car and drove four hours to Crater Lake. The road on the west side and the campground were open. The east side
road wasn't clear of snow yet.
Sunday, June 2, 2013 - I drove back to Timberline Lodge stopping at Newberry National Volcanic Monument. I hiked the Big Obsidian Flow Trail which
wandered through a lava field with huge blocks of obsidian. I also hiked to Paulina Falls. It is located near the outflow of Paulina Lake. Paulina Lake is
one of two lakes formed by the Newberry volcano. The National Monument is accessible from two exits off of Oregon 97. The northern exit accesses Lava
River Cave and Lava Butte. Lava River Cave is a one mile long lava tube. I walked through about half of it. It passes under 97. Lava Butte is an old
cinder cone. I drove to the top of it and hiked around the top.
I also stopped at the Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint. It is on the west side of 97, south of Madras. You can walk out on the old Crooked River
High Bridge and get a good view of the Rex T. Barber Memorial Bridge. Rex T. Barber was an Oregon native who, during WW2, shot down the plane
carrying Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Isoroku Yamamoto was responsible for Pearl Harbor.
Crater Lake
Obsidian
Paulina Falls
Rex T. Barber Memorial Bridge over Crooked River
Monday, June 3, 2013 - I hiked up to 9200 feet and set up camp.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 - Above 9000 feet, it gets smelly. Hood is a volcano and still vents a lot of hydrogen sulfide. I hiked up to the Hogsback at
10600 feet and turned around. I was beat, probably more mentally than physically. I hiked back to the tent and broke camp. I was careful this time to
sit on the tent as I pulled and dug up stakes, but as I was pushing one of the poles out of the sleeve, it flew out the end and took off down the mountain.
I ran after it and caught it after about 100 feet. Luckily the tent didn't blow away while I was chasing the pole. I then drove up to Dalles on the
Columbia River and followed Washington 14 along the Columbia River back to Portland.
Mt. Hood
Columbia River Gorge
Wednesday, June 5 - I flew home by way of Dallas. It was certainly an educational trip.
