larch mountain, part four (hikes of 2023)
The last two months of the year were interesting (in 2023), in terms of hiking. As October concluded, I took a look at my hiking stats for the year and realized that if I hiked hard, I could probably (maybe?) achieve 100,000 feet of elevation gain for the year (well, for the 9-10 months that I spent hiking, since I didn't start until April-ish).
However, with roughly one day per week allotted for hiking, that meant focusing on hard hikes - steep, long, and sometimes ill-advised in rain and winter weather. Not to mention that my daylight hours were limited in those winter months - not exactly the time of year that you want to be planning on 4000+ feet or 12+ miles of hiking in a day - and yet, there were four hikes on my list with that combination (plus another five shorter hikes).
This particular hike, thankfully, went well. The slog up to the top of Larch Mountain covered about 17 miles round trip and netted me 4400 feet of elevation gain. It was very sobering to view the wildfire damage (from 2017's Eagle Creek fire) that started a mile or two above Multnomah Falls. Equally, it was amazing to reach the border of the fire's reach and - seemingly from one step to another - go from burnt, leafless trees to a canopy of rich greens.
Notably, I did finish in the dark - but just barely, as the paved switchbacks down from the top of Multnomah Falls made it easier to cruise through the final mile or so.
Image made with my Nikon FM.
larch mountain, part four (hikes of 2023)
The last two months of the year were interesting (in 2023), in terms of hiking. As October concluded, I took a look at my hiking stats for the year and realized that if I hiked hard, I could probably (maybe?) achieve 100,000 feet of elevation gain for the year (well, for the 9-10 months that I spent hiking, since I didn't start until April-ish).
However, with roughly one day per week allotted for hiking, that meant focusing on hard hikes - steep, long, and sometimes ill-advised in rain and winter weather. Not to mention that my daylight hours were limited in those winter months - not exactly the time of year that you want to be planning on 4000+ feet or 12+ miles of hiking in a day - and yet, there were four hikes on my list with that combination (plus another five shorter hikes).
This particular hike, thankfully, went well. The slog up to the top of Larch Mountain covered about 17 miles round trip and netted me 4400 feet of elevation gain. It was very sobering to view the wildfire damage (from 2017's Eagle Creek fire) that started a mile or two above Multnomah Falls. Equally, it was amazing to reach the border of the fire's reach and - seemingly from one step to another - go from burnt, leafless trees to a canopy of rich greens.
Notably, I did finish in the dark - but just barely, as the paved switchbacks down from the top of Multnomah Falls made it easier to cruise through the final mile or so.
Image made with my Nikon FM.