tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43416820367614917012024-03-12T18:11:05.622-07:00Exploring CascadiaLet's check it out!The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-63118364155867935092016-04-11T10:51:00.000-07:002016-04-11T10:53:18.732-07:00Hiking Olallie Butte<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over the 4th of July weekend we headed to a 'secret' lake that Connor had camped at before for a few days of relaxing and swimming. . It shall go unnamed so we don't piss off the locals. In fact, hiking into the lake we passed someone on the trail who asked where we were going and I told him where. He said "we don't say that name out loud." We also decided to summit Olallie Butte to check out the view!</div>
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The journey from our campsite to the trail head was only a mile or so by dirt road. Gina, Goose, Amanda and Connor in the back of Brad's truck.</div>
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The trail is mostly on Warm Spring Reservation land and is apparently not maintained. We found it to be in great condition though with only one or two logs to step over.</div>
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Most of the trail looks like this- a pleasant walk through the trees without too much grade. Despite being nearly 2600 feet in elevation grade over 4 miles to reach the summit there really isn't any spots I would consider steep.</div>
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Entering Warm Springs land.</div>
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Our first view of the hike. Looking north to Mt. Hood.</div>
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Brad, Connor and Goose in a bee filled meadow we passed through.</div>
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A view of the secret lake we were camped at.</div>
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A great view of Mt. Jefferson. The short and spindly trees tell their tales of rough winters.</div>
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Looking to the summit. We were in the trees almost the entire way up. It opens up as you approach the end of the trail.</div>
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Holy shit! A mountain goat friend gazing down at us! WTF! Despite seeing them on St. Helens and Three Fingered Jack this summer I did not expect to see one on Olallie. Cool!</div>
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A better look. We put Pearl and Goose on their leashes so they wouldn't give chase, but they never noticed. The goat wandered off before we got to the summit and we didn't see him again.</div>
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Amanda climbing the trail with Olallie Lake in the background.</div>
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On the summit we saw several places where it appeared a mountain goat was scratching themselves on branches and left behind fur. Very soft! Would make a nice coat or scarf.</div>
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The summit is a wide open flat area. Nothing technical here!</div>
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Great views all around including this shot of Jefferson. Jefferson Park is up there somewhere.</div>
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A cool arch feature on some exposed rock just below the summit.</div>
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The lakes below. We were told much of the dead trees are from beetle damage.</div>
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Looking across the summit to the foundation of the long gone fire lookout.</div>
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Brad thumbs upping. Happy 40th birthday weekend stud!</div>
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Gina makes fun of my adventure hat but I love it.</div>
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Looking east.</div>
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Group shot with Jefferson in the background. Connor, Brad, Seth, Gina, Amanda and Amanda. Happy 4th!</div>
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Fire lookout remains.</div>
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Mt. Hood with Adams and Rainier (?) further off.</div>
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Back at camp to do some swimming. The water was perfect and it was fun to fuck around on the logs.</div>
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Deluxe ramen for duh duh.</div>
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Looking across the like to Olallie Butte. Despite the heat this hike was fantastic and the summit views were incredible. Despite Terry Richards opinion that this hike is <a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2010/09/olallie_butte_gives_a_birds-ey.html">"B-O-R-I-N-G"</a> I highly recommend it. Great rewards for your work!</div>
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The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-39106692975183126082015-12-29T21:28:00.002-08:002016-02-21T16:34:01.519-08:00Three Fingered Jack Circumnaivigation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For years we've been hiking and camping around the Santiam Pass on Highway 20. This includes Craig Lake- a small lake that you hike into that Three Fingered Jack looms over. One day I decided to find out about hiking a loop around Three Fingered Jack and found this simple yet great description on <a href="http://www.nwhiker.com/3FJack.html">NWHiker.</a><span id="goog_99058361"></span><span id="goog_99058362"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a> It got really fired up about it and several years later we found the time to do it. In that description he does a 20 mile loop in one day and adds in some bushwhacking to cut off a few miles. We decided to stick to existing trails and do an overnighter. Here's <a href="http://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=16344">another description</a> of this hike with much better pictures than mine!</div>
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We had a stunning sunset and even some epic lightning the night before we stared our hike. This was taken looking west above Santiam Pass's Lost Lake.</div>
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And we're off! A view of Hayrick and Hoodoo in the background.</div>
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Much of the trail is through the B & B Complex burn from 2003. It made for some great views but on these hot days I may have appreciated the shade even more.</div>
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Three Fingered Jack reaches to the sky.</div>
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We passed many cool trees with interesting burn patterns.</div>
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Taking a break at Jack Lake.</div>
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Heading towards Canyon Creek Meadows.</div>
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Beautiful creek that flows out of Canyon Creek Meadow!</div>
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Just fucking gorgeous!</div>
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Canyon Creek Meadow.</div>
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It was beautiful when we got here. Wildflowers were in full bloom and the meadow was covered in flowers of many colors. The hike was exhausting to me- we hiked most of the day in 90+ degree weather and open sun. Brutal! I put my feet in the snow melt creek and doused my head in the ice cold water.</div>
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View from the meadow.</div>
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We decided to head up to the swale between the peaks above the moraine lake to see the view and enjoy the sunset.</div>
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Working our way up.</div>
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Looking back down.</div>
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Looking up to our destination.</div>
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The moraine lake looked very low compared to pictures I had seen online. A couple of dry ass years in a row will do that I guess.</div>
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Views from the ridge! Mt. Washington, The Three Sisters and Broken Top to the south.</div>
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Jefferson looms large to the north.</div>
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Looking back down at the lake and meadow.</div>
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Looking west from the swale there's a high bluff with what looks like a fantastic camping spot. Just would need to be careful not to fall off the cliff during a midnight bathroom break.</div>
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Summit.</div>
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The white dot is the mountain goat we watched for awhile.</div>
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Our path to the ridge from our campsite.</div>
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Heading home the next morning. A cool creek.</div>
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Wasco Lake</div>
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Wasco from above.</div>
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Western Toad</div>
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We took the PCT the entire way back.</div>
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This view might be familiar to anyone who has read PCT blogs.</div>
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Santiam Lake</div>
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Passing through a huge meadow.</div>
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Hoodoo off on the distance. See you next winter!</div>
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The hike out was a hot and sweaty affair so a jump in Big Lake was in order!</div>
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<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bbrb2NV0WBA" width="560"></iframe><br />
Here's an "ad" I filmed on the hike!</center>The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-9103323344342261962015-07-11T14:32:00.003-07:002015-07-14T11:20:15.743-07:00Broken Group Islands, Vancouver Island, Canada<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A year in the planning, David, Gina and I were finally ready to hop in the car and head north to Vancouver Island to hit up the Broken Group! The lure of the Edge to Edge Marathon, surfing in Tofino, getting a beer at Tofino Brewing and paddling the islands was too strong to resist. We headed to Bellingham to meet up with Chris and Hilary and then headed north to catch the ferry.<br />
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Let's just start right out of the gate with a 15 second video of us opening 119 beers in the Broken Group. It'll make you thirsty!<br />
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Cars loaded up in Bellingham.</div>
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A view from the ferry on our way to Vancouver Island. The Fraser River meets the ocean. </div>
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Passing Gina during the Edge to Edge Marathon. I only had 3 or 4 miles left but Gina still had like 10+ to go!</div>
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Three studs after the <a href="http://www.edgetoedgemarathon.com/">Edge to Edge Half and Marathon!</a> I really enjoyed this run despite all the elevation and direct sun. There was some cool trail with ocean views during the first portion before joining the highway that leads to Tofino for some out and back. After leaving the trail I started to get my groove and felt really strong. I was determined not to walk any of the grueling uphills and I didn't, although at some points my 'running' was about as fast as those walking. My brain started to get a bit fuzzy towards the end and I screwed up some kilometers to miles math. I thought I was close to the end and went in to 'sprint' mode and passed two people I had been following for most of the second half of the run. I was seriously demoralized when I realized I still had over a mile to go. Both the people I passed overtook me and I grunted "I thought I was closer to the finish... wheeze grunt wheeze." Despite that I felt good crossing the finish line, basking in glory as someone put a 'you participated' medal around my neck. I headed to the snack table and had a couple of chocolate milks. Fuck yeah!</div>
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Our route through the Broken Group. I labeled a few islands for reference.</div>
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Departing Secret Beach where we left our car.</div>
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Heading towards the Stopper Islands.</div>
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Gina heading around the point south of the Stopper Islands.</div>
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We first swung by Hand Island to check out the camping situation. We were greeted by a large crowd and apparently no place to set a tent. I wasn't too surprised as this was the closest campsite to several of the launch sites that access the Broken Group. It did appear to be a beautiful camping spot with a great shell beach to explore.</div>
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Leaving Hand Island on our way to Dodd.</div>
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The north side of the beach at the Dodd Island campsite. We carried our kayaks a distance over rough rocks and tide pools. If you camp here I would recommend kayaking around the western point of land to the beach on the south side of the campsite. Only a couple hundred feet of land separate the two beaches and we actually portaged our gear and boats because the launch site on the north side was a nice gravel beach. There was a couple of groups here but plenty of room to camp.</div>
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Our tent site on Dodd.</div>
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I was excited to check out evidence of Salal Joe's hermit life on Dodd Island. Salal Joe is described in J.F. Marleau's book <a href="http://www.priaoutback.com/pria-products.html">Kayaking the Broken Group Islands.</a> He was a hermit who lived in a bay on Turtle Island on a houseboat and had a garden and orchard on Dodd Island near today's campsite. This picture is the scene of his garden. Some non-native bushes and trees are still here and some of the poles he used to hang his netting to keep deer out are still standing. In the middle left of this photo you can see some of the netting. Marleau's book is great because it includes some interesting history tidbits which I really enjoyed.</div>
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I didn't know what this tree was in Salal Joe's garden was but I knew it wasn't native. A quick Google search showed me it was a chestnut tree. Bad ass!</div>
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Checking out Joe's Bay on Turtle Island. His houseboat has been gone over 30 years but I wondered if we would see any sign of habitation on the beach. No such luck and I was too lazy to get out of the boat to explore.</div>
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Passing in the channels between Turtle and Willis Islands.</div>
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The wind picked up as we reached the campsite on Turret Island.</div>
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Chris getting ready to sink the beers o chill them. This is the small cove where the Turret Island campsite is located.</div>
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Dinner on the beach at Turret Island.</div>
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Waiting for the sunset...</div>
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Beautiful!</div>
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Campfire at Turret Island.</div>
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Day 3! This day was long and fucking awesome. We did a big loop around Benson, Wouwer and Effingham Islands before returning back to Turret for the night.</div>
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First stop was Clarke Island which is said to have the most beautiful camping in the Broken Group. There's a great beach we had a snack on and David did a <a href="http://davidneevel.com/">cloud report.</a></div>
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Clarke with campsites in the back. David mowing down. We just hung out on the beach so didn't really get a chance to see the camping situation but it definitely was a pretty spot.</div>
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Next stop was Benson Island. I was excited to check this place out as Marleau's book describes it as the origin of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tseshaht_First_Nation">Tseshaht People.</a> We wandered around and found a meadow with a <a href="http://threesheetsnw.com/files/2011/07/IMG_0480.jpg">statue</a> and a kiosk describing the former village site and the history of the folks who lived here. One of the highlights of the entire trip for me happened here- two Beachkeepers, Fred and Hank, showed up. Hank is of Tseshaht decent and is a storyteller. We sat in the meadow while he told us the origin story of his people and then went on to describe what the village was like right where we were sitting. He also told us about how the Tseshahts interacted with other nearby tribes and their wars and friendships. It was very moving to be in the very spot where this history occurred and to hear it from Hank himself. So cool! In 1999 an archaeological dig at the village site discovered that the village was much older than thought, over 5000 years old!, as well as bigger. There was also a forgotten cemetery on the hill above that village. Very neat!</div>
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We continued on exploring the western sides of the islands that are exposed to the full brunt of the Pacific Ocean. The waves and weather made for a dramatic and fucking awesome landscape of basalt and granite cliffs and sea caves and coves . So bad ass!</div>
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We explored around Wouwer, Austin and Effingham Islands. Here's the first sea cave we came across.</div>
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Another sea cave.</div>
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The sea cliffs of Effingham Island.</div>
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On the map we could see Effingham Lake and we really wanted to check it out. There is no info online about it so we didn't know what to expect. Fred, one of the Canadian Park Services Beachkeepers, told us it was a 10 minute bushwhack and was a sacred place to the Tseshaht First Nation. He was right- there wasn't much of a trail at all but it only took us about 10 minutes.</div>
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Here's Chris looking for a path.</div>
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Our first view of the lake.</div>
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On the shores of Effingham Lake. The Marleau book says the only fish in the lake are sticklebacks. We didn't see any but the water was dark with tannins. I was hoping to take a freshwater swim but it wasn't inviting enough. It was a beautiful spot though with Lilly pads and freshwater clam looking things.</div>
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And carnivorous <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drosera">sundews!</a></div>
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Hiking back out. Our boats high and dry from the falling tide. There wasn't much good boat parking in this great cove but we had it easy with the calm waters.</div>
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In case anyone wants to hike into this lake in the future look for the float I stuck on a fallen log up the hill where the 'trail' begins.</div>
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There's some pictures of some sea caves coming up so I thought this would be a good place to stick this 2 minute video. It and also shows Hilary going through the sea arch. So bad ass!</div>
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Continuing around the west side of Effingham we came across this sea arch. So bad ass! When the swells would move in the water along the cliffs would rise and full some 5 or 10 feet. It was a blast to go up and down along the rocks and it was fun to see Chris and Hilary, experienced white water kayakers, play in the swells. Chris, Hilary and David went through the arch tunnel but I was scared because you had to time it just right. When the water was at its low point rocks were exposed that could wreak havoc on a pud kayaker like me.</div>
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To get back to our campsite on Turret we had to make a crossing of Coaster Channel that was about a mile and a half long. We battled head on winds and chop the entire time which really made for a frustrating workout. Pretty thrilling though!</div>
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The next morning we packed up to move on to our next campsite on Gibraltar Island. Our first stop was the cedar known cleverly as Giant Tree. Here's the shell midden that marks the location of the trail to the tree.</div>
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David in front of the Giant Tree. It was huge and was said to be over a thousand years old. On the way up the short trail to the tree we passed many massive old growth cedars and hemlocks. It's such a treat to see these grand trees. They are few and far between back in the woods of the US.</div>
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We cruised out to Dempster Island. The exposed side of this island had a bunch of super bad ass sea caves. So many that I started to get sea cave fatigue and quit taking pictures of them!</div>
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We later learned that we're not supposed to go in them. Oops! Sorry! Because they narrow as you go deeper into them the swells from the ocean that come in are forced to rise so you get a thrilling up and down ride. So much fun!</div>
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David and Hilary exploring.</div>
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Chris checking out a low sea cave.</div>
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The end of the day. The beach in the background is where the Gibraltar campsite is located.</div>
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Parking our boats at Gibraltar Island. We were here two nights. The first night the place was jam packed and we scrambled to find a place to set our tent but the second night there were only three groups and it was very quiet.</div>
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David recreating a scene from Marleau's guidebook. A to the point quote: "A nap after lunch is a good way to enjoy your trip." What a guide!</div>
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Chilling on the beach at Gibraltar.</div>
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David collecting some sea asparagus.</div>
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Working on dinner.</div>
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The next day we set out to explore!</div>
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The first stop Wolfhead Lagoon on Jaques Island. A must visit according to Marleau. The route we took to access the lagoon was great. The tide was fairly low so we could gaze upon the fields of oysters and clams below us. Gina also spotted a massive red rock crab.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DuKdyjzxDlw/VaF8PnjMigI/AAAAAAAADhI/-EM4YykXugs/s1600/wolf%2Bhead%2Blagoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DuKdyjzxDlw/VaF8PnjMigI/AAAAAAAADhI/-EM4YykXugs/s320/wolf%2Bhead%2Blagoon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This Photoshop pic I made makes it pretty obvious why they named it Wolfhead Lagoon.</div>
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Taking a break in Wolfhead Lagoon. It was a great spot. We had great weather but I could see how this could be a refuge from rough waters. It's well protected.<br />
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Drinking one of my favorite beers in the lagoon.</div>
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Chris checking out one of the fishtraps.</div>
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The other fishtrap. Very cool!</div>
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Kayaking through some turquoise water.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v67KU3Cr1t0/VaF-eau9WqI/AAAAAAAADhU/em0YKvV9Hhc/s1600/gibraltar%2Blake.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v67KU3Cr1t0/VaF-eau9WqI/AAAAAAAADhU/em0YKvV9Hhc/s320/gibraltar%2Blake.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our next goal was to check out the only other lake in the Broken Group on Gibraltar Island.</div>
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Parking the boats at the creek outlet.</div>
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It was reminiscent of some of our <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEvj8uSMb8o/U6msvpGI1LI/AAAAAAAAC44/E-OzkU54GbQ/s1600/DSC00885.JPG">Honker Divide trip.</a> We followed the creek up to the lake. It was only a few minute walk. The creek was really flowing but I think it may actually be that water at high tides reach the lake and then it flows out as the tide drops. There doesn't seem to be any other water flow into the lake and there were oysters in the creek bed all the way to the lake.</div>
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The logjam at the lake. This lake, at least where we were, was very shallow and a bit swampy. No fresh water swimming once again.</div>
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We saw hundreds of these interesting clear-ish water slug things milling about. </div>
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There were also tons of these holes in the sand. They look like a clam hole thing but I didn't see any clam shells in the lake.</div>
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Chilling at the lake.</div>
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Back at camp on Gibraltar. Chris is an expert level fire maker.</div>
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Our last night in the Broken Group. This is livin!</div>
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Our boats lined up at Secret Beach at the end of our trip. What a great trip! Highly recommended!</div>
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These video clues I made for work also give a great feel for some of the places mentioned above. Check it out and test your Canada knowledge!</div>
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If the 15 second version of the beer opening video wasn't long enough for you here's the 9 minute version!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UYv9uCKvqrg" width="560"></iframe></div>
The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-88033400644845668832015-04-11T16:39:00.001-07:002015-04-15T11:06:59.151-07:00The Mt. Defiance to Starvation Ridge Loop<div style="text-align: center;">
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While hiking Dog Mountain a few weeks back a guy at the summit pointed across the river to Oregon to Mt. Defiance and told me it was the highest point in the Columbia River Gorge. That, in fact, the Mt. Defiance hike gained the same elevation as summiting Mt. Hood from Timberline. I knew immediately I had to do it! Biggest climb in the Gorge? Fuck yeah!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7AWJjFtQVeE/VS6nB8An7QI/AAAAAAAADT8/qcdTEDmekJw/s1600/loop%2Bhike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7AWJjFtQVeE/VS6nB8An7QI/AAAAAAAADT8/qcdTEDmekJw/s1600/loop%2Bhike.JPG" height="320" width="220" /></a></div>
I stole this map from the internet (and now can't find the source), but this is the route we did. We added a mile or two when we took a wrong turn near the logging roads at the southeast corner.</div>
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The trail begins at Starvation State Park and follows the freeway for a half mile or so. We decided to go up the Mt. Defiance Trail and then back down the Starvation Ridge loop.</div>
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We left the freeway and headed into the trees where we passed several waterfalls beginning with Cabin Creek Falls. </div>
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About 10 feet off the trail was this big mound landmark. At first I thought it was leaves or other debris piled there. Turned out to be a freakin huge anthill. Super cool! Gina for scale.</div>
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Hole-in-the-Wall Falls.</div>
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Passing under the power lines.</div>
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Lancaster Falls.</div>
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Peeling off some layers when we get up a few switchbacks.</div>
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Early view east.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qe8aBWBmcdQ/VRn7lQ1HG7I/AAAAAAAADMg/B4sZI2YA2tE/s1600/09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qe8aBWBmcdQ/VRn7lQ1HG7I/AAAAAAAADMg/B4sZI2YA2tE/s1600/09.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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View through the trees to the west.</div>
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More switchbacks.</div>
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Uh duh....</div>
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After switchbacking for awhile we flattened out for a mile or so in a cool dense Hemlock grove. The colors in this stretch were very flat with the low clouds. </div>
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Mile 3 from the trail junction. We ran into a Dad and his two kids having a snack here and talked them for a second. As we left I said "see you at the top!" About 20 minutes later they flew by us and then they passed us again on their way down before we reached the summit. They were cookin!</div>
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The trail gradually gets steeper as you go further through the Hemlocks.</div>
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Eventually the trees got shorter as we opened up to a view across talus and bare rock.</div>
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Very cool.</div>
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A view back down to Wind Mountain. Way the fuck above it!</div>
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Weather beaten trees.</div>
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Looking uphill we can see the radio tower peeking up from the summit.</div>
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Junction to the summit.</div>
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We chose to summit the longer easier way to the right and come back down the shorter trail.</div>
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Expansive meadows of rock.</div>
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There were a few awesome sections where the trail traversed sections of open rock.</div>
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A peak down at Bear Lake.</div>
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Working our way up to the summit.</div>
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A view of the valley up above Hood River. Somewhere in the clouds is Mt. Hood. We were never able to see it or any other Cascade volcano due to the low clouds.</div>
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Ice was falling loudly off the radio towers while we were at the summit.</div>
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Great view north.</div>
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Looking way down on Wind Mountain really gives a perspective of how high we climbed.</div>
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On the way back down we crossed the summit access road.</div>
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Cairns.</div>
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Dog Mountain.</div>
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We stopped at Warren Lake for lunch.</div>
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Still working on my dehydrated mac and cheese recipe. Before.</div>
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After. Fuck yeah!</div>
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Couple of stud heroes with our adventure beers!</div>
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Despite the wood unambiguous sign at the bottom the laminated paper sign was a bit confusing. </div>
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We followed a short trail the led off the loop to an old logging road. If you see this gate and you're trying to do the loop you missed the turn!</div>
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Looking back to the summit of Mt. Defiance.</div>
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Another bad ass rock section. We saw a guy here really huffing and puffing on his way up.</div>
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Super bad ass old growth fir.</div>
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Found the top of Starvation Ridge. Love these trails that follow ridge tops.</div>
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Great fucking view!</div>
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The section of trail that winds its way down the ridge pops out at the power lines. It's a super cool spot with great views both east and west. I would recommend this for a shorter hike. A great spot to stop and have lunch.</div>
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A view east.</div>
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A view down the hill.</div>
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A view west.</div>
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The trail is steep with sharp switchbacks.</div>
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There's a spot in the cliffs where you can look down almost vertically to the traffic below on I-84.</div>
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The red dot is our car! Don't slip...</div>
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Walking back along the freeway as the sun lowers to the west. What a great fucking hike. Highly recommended!</div>
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The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-4067510811199391942015-03-09T14:51:00.001-07:002015-03-09T14:53:04.196-07:00Munra Point Hike<div style="text-align: center;">
I had read about this hike in Walking With Wired's <a href="http://www.walkingwithwired.com/2013/03/27-days-til-start-datewired-in-training.html">blog</a> and she mentioned that it is one of her favorite hikes in the Gorge. Figured I'd better check it out! I also found <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2014/12/photographer_captures_stunning.html">this great pic</a> when Googling about this hike. I started at the Wahclella Falls parking lot and headed back west on trail #400. The parking lot was already full at 9:30 so I had to park down the road a bit.</div>
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Old Columbia highway bridge.</div>
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Intersection to trail #400. You go straight up for a quarter mile or so on some switchbacks.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uxw0jJbgFg0/VPycoU0zgFI/AAAAAAAADFc/wjHOf0pfT3M/s1600/IMG_3199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uxw0jJbgFg0/VPycoU0zgFI/AAAAAAAADFc/wjHOf0pfT3M/s1600/IMG_3199.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then it flattens out and follows I-84 for a mile. The trail needs a little maintenance as you can see here.</div>
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Despite what I had read online, I saw no sign for the intersection to the Munra Point trail. Wasn't hard to spot though.</div>
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The trail goes up some brutal switchbacks. There are 'shortcuts' that go straight up the hill in some places, like in the picture above, but I stuck to the trail as it proved to be easier and my sense of guilt at the environmental damage these user trails add. Besides. what's the hurry?</div>
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The trail continues through the woods.</div>
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Eventually you reach the end of the steep switchback section and climb on top of a very cool and narrow ridge. Above you can see the first nice view of the hike looking back west..</div>
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There's a trail junction that leads a few hundred feet out to this point.On both sides it drop nearly straight down so I decided not to walk all the way out. I did see a bald eagle flying in the valley below me.</div>
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There are several parts of the trail where you climb over rocks. Because the trail follows the narrow ridge top there's no way to avoid these rock sections. They aren't difficult though.</div>
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Another rock section.</div>
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A nice view of Beacon Rock framed by the trees.</div>
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A switchback on the trail that goes through a super cool grove of dwarf oak trees.</div>
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More rocks.</div>
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Getting near the top. The trail makes it's way up and goes between the two trees in the left of this picture.</div>
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Between those trees someone hung a rope to aid in climbing the section.</div>
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I climbed the rope and crested the ridge to see the very top of Munra Point.</div>
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'Whispering Bear' taking some photos from the top.</div>
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A couple of dudes at the top who remembered to bring something I had forgotten- a reward beer.</div>
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A view to the east of the ridge line, Bridge of the Gods in the background as well as Cascade Locks and Stevenson, Washington.</div>
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Mt. Adams.</div>
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Bear Whisperer walking out the ridge line that heads to the south. It's hard to tell from this angle but it's very steep on each side of where's he walking. If he fell it would be some distance before he stopped.</div>
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Hikers cresting the ridge on their way to the summit.</div>
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A different view of the ridge that heads northwest. One of the three ridge lines that meet at Munra Point.</div>
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A hiker on his way down. Looking west.</div>
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I asked Bear Whisperer to take my picture and he took 3... all vertical. </div>
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A view from the top of the rope on my way down.</div>
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Some cement ruins on trail #400. It would be interesting to know the history of all the old structures in the Gorge. </div>
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Almost back to the parking lot- looking down at the cars from the trail.</div>
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By the time I reached the road it was 12:30 and there was a traffic jam of people trying to park in the lot that was already full when I got there at 9:30.</div>
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Got my reward beer after the hike at Thunder Island in Cascade Locks! I really enjoyed this hike. It took me about 3 hours total at a fairly casual pace and about 20 minutes at the top. The internet tells me it has 1700 feet of elevation and is around 5 miles round trip from trail head I started at. My biggest gripe might be that the trail isn't long enough once you leave trail #400. I want to really earn these dramatic views! I saw around 30 people total on the hike and there were 5 people on the summit when I arrived. Highly recommended!</div>
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Here's some footage from the top of Munra Point.</div>
The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-83568268161232035432014-08-07T16:55:00.001-07:002014-08-07T16:55:15.714-07:00Wind Mountain, Columbia River Gorge<br />
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A few weeks ago Gina and I decided to do a couple of short hikes in the Gorge and then grab a beer in Hood River. After poking through the <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/9780979923241">Curious Gorge</a> book we decided to start with <a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2008/04/wind_mountain_hike.html">Wind Mountain</a>. The guidebook told us it doesn't get too busy and is only around 4 miles to the summit and back. Perfect for our mood!</div>
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The parking lot to ourselves. It was a rainy day in Portland which is why we headed east. We did get some rain and fog on this hike too but it didn't dampen our spirits!</div>
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Woods. The trail was very moderate. Although there is some patches of poison oak there was nothing that can't be avoided.</div>
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Tiger Lilly!</div>
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Freakin' gorgeous wildflowers on the way up. Gina in the mist.</div>
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Some sort of epic white orchid looking flower.</div>
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We went through an area of open rocks covered in lichen and moss but do to the low clouds we had no view.</div>
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This sign describing the history of the area is near the summit.</div>
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View to the west was great!</div>
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We spotted some <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/mysterious-indian-pits-the-columbia-gorge">vision quest pits</a> we had heard so much about on Oregon Field Guide. Very cool!</div>
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More pits on the east side of the slope.</div>
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But not a whole lot to see looking to the east towards Hood River.</div>
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On the way down there is a steep spur trail that leads to a spot that looks absolutely perfect for accidentally falling to your death. The trail leads to a rock outcrop that is surround by cliffs except for the way you came in.</div>
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Gina contemplates the meaning of it all. This was a great and satisfying hike. We did see around 6 people total on the trail. Not bad for a Saturday!</div>
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Our second planned hike would have to wait. We were just too damn close to the <a href="http://www.doublemountainbrewery.com/">Happiest Place on Earth</a> to resist a delicious beer!</div>
<br />The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-33583771806768469842014-07-24T20:18:00.001-07:002014-07-24T20:22:34.272-07:00Horror Movie: The Easton Butte Witch Project<div style="text-align: center;">
Made this horror movie tribute on my backpacking trip to Easton Butte last weekend. Try not to shit your pants when you watch it!</div>
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<br />The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-25641157868262613232014-06-16T17:58:00.002-07:002014-06-24T10:19:25.194-07:00The Honker Divide on Prince of Wales Island, Day 4<div style="text-align: center;">
To see the beginning of this journey click <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/journey-to-alaska-and-prince-of-wales.html" target="_blank">here</a>. For days 1 and 2 click <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales.html" target="_blank">here</a>. For day 3 click <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales_10.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Day 4</span></u><br />
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We were exhausted so we slept in a bit and took our time making breakfast and packing up camp. We made jokes that each day was more difficult than the last and so it made sense that our final day would me the most difficult of all. Little did we know! Before we even got into our kayaks we were making loose plans to celebrate the end of our journey with a dinner and a cold <a href="http://www.baranofislandbrewing.com/home.html" target="_blank">Baranof</a> on draft at Zat's Pizza in Craig. We finally got rolling around 11:30.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ur9Z15lLdvs/U5Iw6AMgiGI/AAAAAAAACe4/fOURtJnIdxg/s1600/142+thorne+lake+camp+morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ur9Z15lLdvs/U5Iw6AMgiGI/AAAAAAAACe4/fOURtJnIdxg/s1600/142+thorne+lake+camp+morning.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our awesome campsite in the daylight. This spot ruled!</div>
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Leaving Thorne Lake. Looking at the map it was just a short jaunt to the next lake. It looked so short on the map we didn't even bother putting on our waders.</div>
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This was the outflow of the lake. I followed Gina's lead and just went ahead and immediately put on the waders. Despite the distance between the two lakes being only around a quarter mile it took about 30 minutes due to the slippery ass rocks and the endless uneven footing. There was no paddling in this section.</div>
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Finally reaching the lake!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNCw-biLWNI/U5fjX4AD__I/AAAAAAAACwo/Z6VXxbKoMmM/s1600/iphone+133+lake+before+2nd+portage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNCw-biLWNI/U5fjX4AD__I/AAAAAAAACwo/Z6VXxbKoMmM/s1600/iphone+133+lake+before+2nd+portage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Poking around looking for the start of the 2nd portage.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PpT5CO1ccIc/U5IxRJhC1SI/AAAAAAAACl0/wgJ0BfYlrxo/s1600/339+tree+with+marker+on+it+before+2nd+portage+in+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PpT5CO1ccIc/U5IxRJhC1SI/AAAAAAAACl0/wgJ0BfYlrxo/s1600/339+tree+with+marker+on+it+before+2nd+portage+in+lake.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
It's hard to see in the picture but the only sign of a portage we saw at this lake was a red diamond trail marker at the bottom of this tree near the exit of the lake. We searched the lake's edge where the map showed the beginning of the portage but we didn't see anything. We took this trail marker as a sign to follow the Thorne River to the falls and start our portage there.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dHmBhYzb1qw/U5fisG64q2I/AAAAAAAACwU/wJV1aMZePoI/s1600/iphone+135+right+before+heading+down+into+2nd+portage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dHmBhYzb1qw/U5fisG64q2I/AAAAAAAACwU/wJV1aMZePoI/s1600/iphone+135+right+before+heading+down+into+2nd+portage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The end of the lake.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94-6epZXUqA/U6HS9G11jkI/AAAAAAAAC4A/sXHJZ5G3T0Y/s1600/treewithmarker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94-6epZXUqA/U6HS9G11jkI/AAAAAAAAC4A/sXHJZ5G3T0Y/s1600/treewithmarker.JPG" height="313" width="320" /></a></div>
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We looked around the lake shore for the beginning of the cross country route with no luck. I'm glad because that would have meant that much more lugging our crap through the woods. When we did start the second portage we did find the trail running back towards the lake. It was there somewhere but we missed it.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OY6i2do_lxw/U5IxRdOJTPI/AAAAAAAACmM/W7bcqI20nL0/s1600/340+looking+down+the+thorne+river+before+2nd+portage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OY6i2do_lxw/U5IxRdOJTPI/AAAAAAAACmM/W7bcqI20nL0/s1600/340+looking+down+the+thorne+river+before+2nd+portage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Like the rest of the trip this was pretty much all walking. Just too shallow to sit in the kayaks.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9WWMPvlpyzI/U5fisYj4lvI/AAAAAAAACwc/sf_QFnq1pZM/s1600/iphone+138+gina+ducking+under+log+before+2nd+portage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9WWMPvlpyzI/U5fisYj4lvI/AAAAAAAACwc/sf_QFnq1pZM/s1600/iphone+138+gina+ducking+under+log+before+2nd+portage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lots of this.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YgVIOX_Cu5s/U5ibM8sOB0I/AAAAAAAACxg/hBtEL6DBu3g/s1600/z+seth+on+the+thorne+before+2nd+portage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YgVIOX_Cu5s/U5ibM8sOB0I/AAAAAAAACxg/hBtEL6DBu3g/s1600/z+seth+on+the+thorne+before+2nd+portage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Very beautiful! According to the Google Earth path function the section from the lake to the 2nd portage is around 8 tenths of a mile long. There was no paddling in this section. Only slippery slow walking while pulling the kayaks.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jbVmh4i3GpI/U5IxSLWsCpI/AAAAAAAACmk/j1jvyymxQXw/s1600/343+looking+up+bank+at+2nd+portage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jbVmh4i3GpI/U5IxSLWsCpI/AAAAAAAACmk/j1jvyymxQXw/s1600/343+looking+up+bank+at+2nd+portage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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After an hour or so we could hear the falls and we spotted the trail markers on the left river bank. The trail ran straight up the hill about 100 feet.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CR1AhXa4rTw/U5IxRkqf1MI/AAAAAAAACmc/YYy1exGP8Nw/s1600/342+looking+down+the+bank+at+beginning+of+portage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CR1AhXa4rTw/U5IxRkqf1MI/AAAAAAAACmc/YYy1exGP8Nw/s1600/342+looking+down+the+bank+at+beginning+of+portage+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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Looking down from the top of the hill.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmdunrEY5M0/U5IxScjOLQI/AAAAAAAACmU/NZMppcm25Z4/s1600/344+gina+looking+down+falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmdunrEY5M0/U5IxScjOLQI/AAAAAAAACmU/NZMppcm25Z4/s1600/344+gina+looking+down+falls.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gina checking out the impassable falls. Her reaction inspired by the look of the portage: "I think we could push the kayaks down these falls and they would be fine!" Memories of our first portage lingered!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-STgDUTSSILA/U5IxS08EutI/AAAAAAAACmg/EwTAW3jIm8w/s1600/345+gina+david+carrying+stuff+on+the+2nd+portage+trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-STgDUTSSILA/U5IxS08EutI/AAAAAAAACmg/EwTAW3jIm8w/s1600/345+gina+david+carrying+stuff+on+the+2nd+portage+trail.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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First thing we did was walk the trail with a few bags to do some recon.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeJLilNqY1Y/U5ibMAVXHYI/AAAAAAAACxc/mHmLetfbbYw/s1600/z+david+chopping+tree+during+2nd+portage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeJLilNqY1Y/U5ibMAVXHYI/AAAAAAAACxc/mHmLetfbbYw/s1600/z+david+chopping+tree+during+2nd+portage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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David doing some trail maintenance with his machete.</div>
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This second portage was about half wooded trail and half muskeg.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CLUVRElCnX8/U5IxTcHvEYI/AAAAAAAACm0/GPrLDR4neds/s1600/347+david+gina+walking+through+muskeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CLUVRElCnX8/U5IxTcHvEYI/AAAAAAAACm0/GPrLDR4neds/s1600/347+david+gina+walking+through+muskeg.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We would see an occasional trail marker to guide us.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Unpw0IDV-AA/U5in9JybkxI/AAAAAAAACx8/RFypflafFg4/s1600/zz+david+on+log+towards+end+of+2nd+portage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Unpw0IDV-AA/U5in9JybkxI/AAAAAAAACx8/RFypflafFg4/s1600/zz+david+on+log+towards+end+of+2nd+portage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The terrain eventually became this marshy tall grass. We lost the official trail and followed some animal trails around until we eventually spotted the portage sign on a tree. We left our bags at the end of the portage (more on that later) and headed back for the yaks. Walking unburdened on the way back took 45 minutes.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l92QFmI-loE/U6mtAd6hLdI/AAAAAAAAC50/kod7nHijnBk/s1600/DSC01368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l92QFmI-loE/U6mtAd6hLdI/AAAAAAAAC50/kod7nHijnBk/s1600/DSC01368.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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What must be done is sinking in.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M_PFaXmc6sA/U5in80EnkRI/AAAAAAAACxw/V5dglZEUjo8/s1600/zz+gina+dragging+kayak+2nd+portage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M_PFaXmc6sA/U5in80EnkRI/AAAAAAAACxw/V5dglZEUjo8/s1600/zz+gina+dragging+kayak+2nd+portage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We unloaded the kayaks, tied two ropes to the front and dragged them vertically up the hill. It was exhausting but there seemed to be no way around it. We then reloaded the kayaks with all of our gear and literally drug them through the forest. After the exhausting multiple trips of the first portage we figured this 'pull the kayak' method might take as long but only needing the recon trip and the gear trip instead of three more trips would be an emotional victory in our tired state. It was difficult to for me to face this part of the journey but we didn't have an alternative. We considered just lowering our boats back down to the river after the falls but we came to the conclusion that even though there were no obstacles marked on the map there must be a reason for the trail. It would have been terrible to continue down the river only to get stuck in a ravine where we would have to backtrack for hours. The trail even dropped in elevation all the way back down to the river's edge at one point but we kept trucking over land to be safe. At least we knew where we were headed on the trail. And besides... the next and final section was the wide gentle deep Thorne River. At least we had that to look forward to! A few days after our trip we learned from Instagram users akbeckman and mackie114, who had done this trip 3 years in a row including the week before us, that they learned the hard way that it is, and I quote, "waaaaaaaaay easier" to just lower the boats back down to the river immediately after the falls. Their first time on the journey they actually camped halfway through this portage!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jHwdbd6vouE/U5IxT6dnKbI/AAAAAAAACo4/dlB6ZK6mfqI/s1600/348+Gina+sitting+on+kayak+in+woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jHwdbd6vouE/U5IxT6dnKbI/AAAAAAAACo4/dlB6ZK6mfqI/s1600/348+Gina+sitting+on+kayak+in+woods.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gina taking a break. The method I mostly used to drag my kayak was to wrap the rope around my waist and then wrap it around my hands in front of me. This allowed my legs to do most of the pulling. It was brutal work and we were all sore for days after this. My hands in particular were stiff and hard to close from holding the rope, but my legs and back were mad at me too. It did feel pretty studly to do this insane amount of physical activity in successive days. Gina just ran a marathon for fuck's sake!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faIAZPYrHiw/U5j3n-_zY3I/AAAAAAAACy0/2jDbnxn9LDo/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faIAZPYrHiw/U5j3n-_zY3I/AAAAAAAACy0/2jDbnxn9LDo/s1600/photo.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a poorly drawn rendition of what pulling the kayak was like. Sometimes when I'm really jamming on my snowboard I'll stop and realize that I'm panting heavily and didn't even know it. That's what much of this journey was like. It was so physical that I was literally panting much of the time. Not shown in this drawing: blood, sweat and tears.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xnLRxktDCKs/U5ibMBmYnyI/AAAAAAAACxU/i4OaDyte6Po/s1600/z+david+pulling+kayak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xnLRxktDCKs/U5ibMBmYnyI/AAAAAAAACxU/i4OaDyte6Po/s1600/z+david+pulling+kayak.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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David on a short downhill section. After a bit I just gave up on trying to control any downhill momentum my kayak would get. I would stand back so it wouldn't knock me over and usually it would stop by ramming a rotten stump or some bushes.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsOkcFegme8/U5IxUnzzHWI/AAAAAAAACnQ/2-HFKX_Nfs0/s1600/349+gina+with+kayak+in+woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsOkcFegme8/U5IxUnzzHWI/AAAAAAAACnQ/2-HFKX_Nfs0/s1600/349+gina+with+kayak+in+woods.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Trying the glove method.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9jjvmkY4aY/U5IxU-JpaJI/AAAAAAAACnI/M-YewAFN9_Y/s1600/350+pulling+yak+through+woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9jjvmkY4aY/U5IxU-JpaJI/AAAAAAAACnI/M-YewAFN9_Y/s1600/350+pulling+yak+through+woods.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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David helping me navigate a corner with a trail marker in the background. Corners were grueling due to the length of our kayaks. Luckily none of us had a fiberglass boat! These plastic boats are tough as shit.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2NWpT7zgMiE/U6ms8DFrmfI/AAAAAAAAC5g/PC1fSadA2VA/s1600/DSC01363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2NWpT7zgMiE/U6ms8DFrmfI/AAAAAAAAC5g/PC1fSadA2VA/s1600/DSC01363.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dropping back down to the Thorne River before we climb again.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-njjNbBvaYGg/U5IxVWYTdVI/AAAAAAAACno/pJbRDY5T16Y/s1600/352+seths+kayak+sitting+in+muskeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-njjNbBvaYGg/U5IxVWYTdVI/AAAAAAAACno/pJbRDY5T16Y/s1600/352+seths+kayak+sitting+in+muskeg.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A look at my boat in the muskeg. I would wrap the rope around me and mentally gear up. Then I would pull for as long as my legs could take it, usually about 50 to 100 feet, before I would need to take another break.</div>
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<script src="http://occipital.com/360/embed.js?pano=mNDvCT&width=640&height=480"></script></div>
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A 360 pano that shows my kayak in the middle of a muskeg field. Yeah!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OeD9Kzglwk/U6ms85r9_4I/AAAAAAAAC5k/66pLIiPy8h4/s1600/DSC01364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OeD9Kzglwk/U6ms85r9_4I/AAAAAAAAC5k/66pLIiPy8h4/s1600/DSC01364.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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An action shot of dragging the boat!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NkokeCZoyu0/U5IxVFlcejI/AAAAAAAACnY/KtpeTN2_QIY/s1600/351+sundew+in+muskeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NkokeCZoyu0/U5IxVFlcejI/AAAAAAAACnY/KtpeTN2_QIY/s1600/351+sundew+in+muskeg.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tons of super bad ass carnivorous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drosera" target="_blank">Sundews</a> in this section of Muskeg.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9EtTnDo1eMs/U5IxVyrwYSI/AAAAAAAACoI/mx2zTzQA0Bk/s1600/353+gina+pulling+yak+through+tall+grass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9EtTnDo1eMs/U5IxVyrwYSI/AAAAAAAACoI/mx2zTzQA0Bk/s1600/353+gina+pulling+yak+through+tall+grass.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We were hoping the tall marsh grass would make for easier pulling but it was actually even a bit tougher than the muskeg as the grass created friction.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AoIQI89tZ4g/U5IxWcUTBDI/AAAAAAAACnk/j90L3Zhw0XA/s1600/354+david+jumping+over+tall+grass+creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AoIQI89tZ4g/U5IxWcUTBDI/AAAAAAAACnk/j90L3Zhw0XA/s1600/354+david+jumping+over+tall+grass+creek.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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There were a couple of creeks that ran through the marshy area. You know when you stand on the marsh stuff and it sinks? It was like that. One was a bit wide and Gina didn't quite make it across. She ended up waste deep in the water. Here David is working on crossing one.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0foNhWoZjs/U5ibIX3rEjI/AAAAAAAACw4/Ok1W1zIm6XM/s1600/z+seth+and+david+at+the+end+of+the+2nd+portage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0foNhWoZjs/U5ibIX3rEjI/AAAAAAAACw4/Ok1W1zIm6XM/s1600/z+seth+and+david+at+the+end+of+the+2nd+portage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We finally made it to the end! A 6 hour portage! It was around 8 pm when we got here. Directly behind Gina, who is taking the picture, is a marshy water area where we would launch our kayaks. We sat here for around half an hour collecting ourselves and loading our kayaks. I didn't bother putting on my waders as I knew that in just moments I would be on easy street riding a mellow current to the pacific Ocean. Then? We might be late for pizza but a cold beer and a grilled cheese at Hill Bar sounded like fucking paradise!</div>
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<script src="http://occipital.com/360/embed.js?pano=CJapFE&width=640&height=480"></script></div>
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A 360 pano that shows the sliver of water we launched into. Bad ass!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qo3Hd7V5gzA/U6I1vtE0i0I/AAAAAAAAC4U/39tCGaMJ2d0/s1600/portage+start+key.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qo3Hd7V5gzA/U6I1vtE0i0I/AAAAAAAAC4U/39tCGaMJ2d0/s1600/portage+start+key.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a screenshot of the pano. All that grass with 3 dead ends!</div>
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We could have avoided 99% of the second portage by dropping back down to the river immediately after the falls.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HcRU2DWqYZA/U6HS9HUYzlI/AAAAAAAAC4E/5P_Xu4YXUAM/s1600/falls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HcRU2DWqYZA/U6HS9HUYzlI/AAAAAAAAC4E/5P_Xu4YXUAM/s1600/falls.JPG" height="302" width="320" /></a></div>
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As tiring as it is to line the kayak through the shallow waters over slippery rocks it was better than portaging over land with all the gear we brought. I still don't know what the river was like below the falls but if it was more of the same it would have been fine. As I said before, akbeckman and mackie114 said it was way easier and they have been on both routes.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vw99wTlC41s/U5IxWsIFeOI/AAAAAAAACnw/etuodL_cfCs/s1600/355+lost+in+the+beaver+ponds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vw99wTlC41s/U5IxWsIFeOI/AAAAAAAACnw/etuodL_cfCs/s1600/355+lost+in+the+beaver+ponds.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nothing on this trip was as easy as we had hoped and the section following the second portage was no exception. Where the portage ends is a maze of beaver dams and channels. Gina went left to a dead end. I took a right and followed a path to a dead end beaver dam and David followed a third and final path that was narrow as shit and lengthy and eventually ended in yet another dead end. WTF? I could hear David warning bears that we around by clapping from across the marsh. Tons of knocked down grass animal trails through the marsh grass!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mFO6_KN5DCY/U5ibMGGHVNI/AAAAAAAACxk/4uPvQ7if_TU/s1600/z+gina+in+th+ebeaver+ponds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mFO6_KN5DCY/U5ibMGGHVNI/AAAAAAAACxk/4uPvQ7if_TU/s1600/z+gina+in+th+ebeaver+ponds.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gina returning from her dead end. We were stumped for maybe an hour and dusk began to set in. We were debating weather to go cross country towards the direction of the Thorne River but none of us wanted to portage anymore and we didn't see any definitive trail signs that indicated that was the right route. We debated calling someone who might be able to guide us, but who? I decided to follow Gina's dead end and get out of the boat in the marshy grass where the water ended. From there I could see a navigable marshy waterway that led to what looked like, off in the distance through the dying light, a small lake past a fallen tree. Gina then said that on her map it appeared that the blue line got thicker under the red dashes that represented our route. Maybe that little lake was the thicker blue line? I decided to check my iPhone and incredibly I had perfect LTE service. I Google mapped my location and it showed a blue river line leading from that lake to the Thorne River! Yes!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_EdK2JtFpyI/U5ixeDMe4tI/AAAAAAAACyI/IdAtL9uEVXA/s1600/honker+iphone+(10).PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_EdK2JtFpyI/U5ixeDMe4tI/AAAAAAAACyI/IdAtL9uEVXA/s1600/honker+iphone+(10).PNG" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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If you look closely you can see a path through the lily pads out of the lake! Man... what did people do 3 or 4 years ago when they were lost? This is the actual screenshot that led us out of the maze of beaver dams. We made our way to the lake pulling our boats over a couple of beaver dams. We then found the path through the lake to the Thorne River. The beaver dams are so well constructed that one of them created a 2 or3 foot difference in water elevation. What studs!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVIjThXtFEY/U5Iw6YSauqI/AAAAAAAACes/voofDwYOls4/s1600/143+paddling+through+lily+pads+trying+to+find+thorne+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVIjThXtFEY/U5Iw6YSauqI/AAAAAAAACes/voofDwYOls4/s1600/143+paddling+through+lily+pads+trying+to+find+thorne+river.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Darkness falls as we make our way through the lake and lily pads.</div>
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David and Gina off in the distance.</div>
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The red line is the path we took to escape the confusing as shit beaver dam area. The yellow line is the path recommended to us by akbeckman and mackie114. It would have saved us from the daunting second portage and getting lost in the marshy beaver area.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P8V-F5v8q1s/U6EaQYw1dyI/AAAAAAAAC3A/3ajkP1vWhz8/s1600/thorneriverentrance+guide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P8V-F5v8q1s/U6EaQYw1dyI/AAAAAAAAC3A/3ajkP1vWhz8/s1600/thorneriverentrance+guide.jpg" height="302" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a guide to all the interesting details I told you about involving this exciting part of the journey. Brace yourself!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQWFOYcuSyA/U5Iw60KFg1I/AAAAAAAACfQ/lIMHPMC70-8/s1600/144+paddling+down+thorne+river+in+the+dark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQWFOYcuSyA/U5Iw60KFg1I/AAAAAAAACfQ/lIMHPMC70-8/s1600/144+paddling+down+thorne+river+in+the+dark.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally made the Thorne River! It was dark as shit on the entire river so I only took one picture. This is it. We dug out our headlamps and that was all the light we had. But, as per usual for this trip, the Thorne River did not turn out to be this 12 or 13 miles of smooth sailing waterway that would be a dream of minimal paddling and relaxation as the current guided us to the end of our adventure while we drink beer after beer discussing our hot food options in the big city of Craig. Instead, due to the low water level, it turned out to be more of the same. In and out of our boats over and over and over. I immediately put on my waders; in the first 100 feet I could see what was coming. There would be lengthy sections of walking and then nice sections of paddling that might last 5 or 6 minutes but usually closer to 10 or 20 seconds. We started to not even get in the boat during sections that were deep enough because we knew it wasn't worth the effort to get in and then just get out 10 seconds later. Gina fared a bit better here due to her light weight. On the maps you can see where tributaries flow into the Thorne but none of these added enough water to raise the level enough for the river to be navigable. On top of the 6 hours of brutal portaging we had finished we ended up having to walk most of the Thorne River. We could see on the banks that very recently the water level was a good 10 or 11 inches higher. That would have made this section much easier. In my communications with akbeckman and mackie114 after our trip they told me it was the lowest water level they had seen in the 3 years they had done it. Any dreams of a cold beer at Hill Bar in Craig were long dashed as now our only goal was to try and make it to the ferry terminal in Hollis by 7 in the morning. We potentially could miss our ferry ride! </div>
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An interesting aspect of this section was throughout the miles of paddling and walking we saw distinctly different sections of the riverbed. There were gravelly sections and boulder sections and a section of rough bedrock and a section strange underwater plants that were smooshy. We also saw some creepy unblinking eyes in the woods that we figured were deer. Scary!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ooWUnDgCAuE/U5Iw7i7_yxI/AAAAAAAACfw/v4YDYw-NS-o/s1600/145+morning+breaking+on+the+thorne+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ooWUnDgCAuE/U5Iw7i7_yxI/AAAAAAAACfw/v4YDYw-NS-o/s1600/145+morning+breaking+on+the+thorne+river.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dawn starts to break around 3 am. There were two sections of short rapids. The first was kind of fun but the second one could lead you into the bank and some bushes. David was the first to go and ended up in the bushes yelling warning to Gina and me. I stuck to the left on this second rapid which turned out to be swift but too shallow to ride. More walking...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qp9XiPl7SY/U5IxXdLXwMI/AAAAAAAACn8/66mxZpnV8TE/s1600/357+entering+thorne+bay+at+sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qp9XiPl7SY/U5IxXdLXwMI/AAAAAAAACn8/66mxZpnV8TE/s1600/357+entering+thorne+bay+at+sunrise.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally made it to the bay! Smooth and exhausted sailing!</div>
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The town of Thorne Bay. The final destination of our trip!</div>
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Gina savoring the final moments on the water.</div>
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A celebratory selfie! We finally finished at around 4:30 in the morning. It was a 17 hour day without even time to drink a beer until we hit the bay. We actually had 4 or 5 beers left when we finished. That's how non-stop this trip was.</div>
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Organizing our shit. It took us around an hour to unload, change into dry clothes and pack up the truck. The hour drive to Hollis is a gnarly blur. David was tasked with keeping me awake and it worked great. He said he would be talking and then all of a sudden be like "how long was I asleep." I never noticed. I was focusing intently on the road. I pulled over once to walk it off for a minute in the cool morning air. We arrived at the ferry terminal at exactly 7. I was loopy as shit. We instantly crashed on the boat back to town. Picture not posted here to avoid domestic conflict: close up of Gina's face passed out in the back of the truck.</div>
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Daily beer count: 2 (terrible work! Just horrendous!). One in the kayak to celebrate the bay and one at the truck while loading our gear. </div>
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We got back into Ketchikan, checked into the Gilmore, took showers and long naps. Then we hit the 'Dough for some freezing beers straight from the fucking tap. Well earned! Thanks Elijah!</div>
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I still plan on making this shirt I drew on a napkin at the 'Dough. We saw 100,000,000,000 conks (also spelled conch according to my Google search but Wikipedia says conk) during our journey and this was the best pun I could come up with. Hey akbeckman and mackie114, let me know if you want one! We're part of a select group of heroes who have <i>Conkered the Honker!</i></div>
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We met up with Max and had a shitload of beers to celebrate his birthday. We must still be a little loopy because this is a picture of David and Gina playing air bass and air clarinet in front of the Potlatch. I'm still debating whether to use the stock market advice we overheard at the Potlatch from a drunk fisherman on his iPad.</div>
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Walking by my former place of employment on this beautiful night.</div>
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Daily beer count: Back in the saddle with 10! 10 celebratory beers in honor of finishing the Honker and Max's birthday.</div>
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Some video clues we made on the journey for work. There's some clips of the Honker in here!</center>
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Here's a pic I made to send to friends who wondered how our Alaska trip was going.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sx27Ih9dpZ0/U5IxZ3d-VBI/AAAAAAAACoo/TCpgmuhAMz8/s1600/363+drying+clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sx27Ih9dpZ0/U5IxZ3d-VBI/AAAAAAAACoo/TCpgmuhAMz8/s1600/363+drying+clothes.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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David and I at our campsite in Canada. We draped our wet Honker Divide clothes all over the place to dry out.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Final Thoughts</u></span></div>
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You know when you read a trip report and you wish they had some 'final thoughts' about what they would have done differently or if they would recommend the trip? Here's mine concerning the Honker. Now that it's been a couple of weeks since I stepped out of my yak this trip has become, as could have been expected with epic journeys like this, a very fond memory. While doing it we all expressed our feelings about how ridiculously hard it was and that it's funny that its called a 'canoe route' and that we would never recommend it. I'm still not sure I would recommend it but I probably wouldn't try very hard to talk someone out of going. I would instead just try to communicate my experience and the difficulty and fun that we had. Give specifics on our timeline and what the water levels were like and how that affected us. It will be great memories for me with some of my best friends and I cherish that.</div>
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I'm not sure I will ever do it again (but <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogYQBl-C0Tg/Tcn5xN5WUHI/AAAAAAAAAEs/RcTZkkzAtm8/s400/macgruber11.jpg" target="_blank">never say never</a>) but that is only in part because of the difficulty. It's also very remote, time consuming and expensive to get to Alaska and POW if you don't live there and the list of shit to do in this world is really,really long. Our driving force for the trip was the POW marathon. The Honker was secondary. Having said that, if I did do it again here is what I would do differently: I would treat it like a backpacking trip rather than a boat trip. We probably spent 90% of our time walking and 10% paddling. The two big portages took us 11 and a half hours and we walked most of the waterways too. The paddling was mostly done through the lakes but even the longest lake (Honker) could be done in under an hour while most took less than 10 minutes. I would pack very light, as if backpacking in the mountains, and either search for a tough inflatable (this might cause trouble due to the chance of puncture, but so, so light!) or getting the lightest fiberglass canoe you can find. It's all about weight because the portages are long if you have a bunch of heavy shit like we did. A higher water level would have helped tremendously (but not too high because of the upstream and the GD Rockpile) but if you're planning this trip you may not have the ability to wait for a good rain so you'll have to make do with whatever conditions exist. I also would have fully skipped the second portage except to circumnavigate the falls. We would have missed out on the exciting maze of beaver dams but it would have saved us half a day of brutal portaging and probably 4 or more hours of travel time. I never felt in danger or scared on this trip, but during the second portage we did joke that maybe we would never make it out... we would have to live off of skunk cabbage roots and conks. Also, my iPhone with AT&T had service often. If you needed to make an emergency call wherever you are you wouldn't be very far from service if you didn't already have it. I had one bar on a rock in the water in front of the Honker Lake cabin and a couple of bars on Skull Island. And finally, we never did see the trapper's cabin. Must have been hidden in the silent darkness as we walked on by with our headlamps blazing towards the river bottom.</div>
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"They sicken of the calm, who knew the storm." Dorothy Parker</div>
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Fuck yeah!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PXeVuQS7z4c/U5Iw956QgfI/AAAAAAAACgQ/nwB9lIem9c8/s1600/152+people+sitting+in+sun+in+front+of+lake+canada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PXeVuQS7z4c/U5Iw956QgfI/AAAAAAAACgQ/nwB9lIem9c8/s1600/152+people+sitting+in+sun+in+front+of+lake+canada.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm including this picture because these studs were heroing out in front of Seton Lake, Canada, and they looked like they were having the time of their life. What bad asses! Fully chillaxing! Role models!</div>
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To see the beginning of this journey click <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/journey-to-alaska-and-prince-of-wales.html" target="_blank">here</a>. For days 1 and 2 click <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales.html" target="_blank">here</a>. For day 3 click <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales_10.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-53591427283305823432014-06-10T18:00:00.000-07:002014-06-24T09:58:06.525-07:00The Honker Divide on Prince of Wales Island, Day 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Day 3! To see the beginning of this epic journey <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/journey-to-alaska-and-prince-of-wales.html" target="_blank">click here</a>. Click <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales.html" target="_blank">here</a> for days 1 and 2 and here for <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales_16.html" target="_blank">day 4</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BgfZf3ZLsTY/U6HPS1wzZrI/AAAAAAAAC30/A8axkBacCC0/s1600/honker+divide+day+3+intro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BgfZf3ZLsTY/U6HPS1wzZrI/AAAAAAAAC30/A8axkBacCC0/s1600/honker+divide+day+3+intro.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Even though we had a relaxing day at the Honker Lake cabin we were still catching up on our sleep from our marathons and the first day of the Honker Divide. We finally got our shit together and out the door around 10:30 in the morning. Today our rough goal was the trapper cabin we had seen on the <a href="http://terrygardiner.zenfolio.com/p1027899147/hcb980b5#hcb980b5" target="_blank">Terry Gardiner</a> blog. In Hunter's blog he mentioned how they were able to sleep in a cabin both nights. Maybe we could do that too!<br />
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Loaded up! Whiskey is easily accessible and the Juanita's are on top!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9r5gLRT8MQ/U5ebpWfPpiI/AAAAAAAACvY/mkaAw0UILhE/s1600/Honker+Lake+with+lone+soldier_lzn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9r5gLRT8MQ/U5ebpWfPpiI/AAAAAAAACvY/mkaAw0UILhE/s1600/Honker+Lake+with+lone+soldier_lzn.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Immediately after we cleared the narrow section of Honker Lake we saw a lone soldier off in the distance. It was a log where one end had waterlogged and sank but the other end was still high and dry. This picture captures how big the lake is. Huge and this is just half of it!</div>
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David taking a picture of the lone soldier.</div>
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It's there... why not?</div>
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Full on dive from a sinking log! What a stud!</center>
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From where we exited Honker Lake to where portage 1 begins was around a half a mile of fairly smooth sailing. By smooth sailing I mean lots of walking but not too many logjams. This picture shows the end of the road for the upstream portion of our trip.</div>
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Portage sign claims 1 and 1/4 mile in length.</div>
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Canoe tracks! Following in the footsteps of akbeckman and mackie114! I also saw a set of large and small bear prints in the river bed that looked like they may have been as recent as that morning or the day before.</div>
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Gina and I decided to bring all our gear on the first trip then come back for the kayaks on trips 2 and 3. When imagining what the portages would be like in my mind I thought about the 1 and a quarter mile distance and it seemed like it would be a breeze. I had just run a half marathon 3 days ago! And I had seen pictures <a href="http://www.joshuahuber.com/data/photos/402_1JH_081309_008317.jpg" target="_blank">like this</a> (<a href="http://www.joshuahuber.com/index.php#mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=5&p=1&a=0&at=0" target="_blank">source</a>, Oliver Inlet) of other Alaskan portages! The portages turned out to be brutal beasts that tested the very depths of our willpower, physical ability, relationships and humor. This first half of this first portage gains elevation through a muddy and root laden forest of bogs and fallen trees. We had packed our kayaks as if going on a kayak camping trip which Gina and I have done a few times before. That means glass bottles, way too much food including cans and jars and so much beer we didn't even finish it (?!). When kayak camping the kayak carries all your shit for you- you just have to load it, foolishly paddle around for a bit and unload it. This trip turned out to be more like a backpacking trip than a kayak trip. I would never bring 6 Tasty Bites, a jar of pasta sauce and a glass bottle of whiskey on a backpacking trip!</div>
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Loaded down.</div>
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David carrying his yak through the woods.</div>
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Gina going under a tree through the mud.</div>
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Day old bear foot print.</div>
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Entering the muskeg section of portage one. Our shit was so heavy that we had to take numerous breaks. At one point I proclaimed that we probably only have a quarter mile left to later discover we weren't even half way yet. It took a long time!</div>
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More woods.</div>
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Loaded down as shit!</div>
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Gina walking over the recently refurbished trail. As hard as this portage was it would have been much more difficult without the work the trail crew had done the summer before through the muskeg.</div>
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Towards the end of the route we came across several spots where the logs had been removed from the trail. At first my mind started thinking about the vandalism on the Perseverance trail that happened many years ago but then I realized this was due to the water from the lake rising and lifting the logs out of the trail.</div>
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End of the portage! There's the first Twin Lake!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hBCi5bTOqk/U5IxJPz_zfI/AAAAAAAACjo/okrbpDGXzRE/s1600/318+yak+in+the+woods+gina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hBCi5bTOqk/U5IxJPz_zfI/AAAAAAAACjo/okrbpDGXzRE/s1600/318+yak+in+the+woods+gina.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Going back for the first and heaviest kayak. We could go maybe 100 feet at a time and there is no easy way to carry this monster. We tried the handles but your hands would hurt. Over the shoulder would work too but not for long because your shoulder and neck starts to hurt. </div>
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Resting on the wood trail in the muskeg.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1BVf8PBEBqg/U5IxKMhd1_I/AAAAAAAACkM/bwh7G1dtToU/s1600/320+Howe+sound+beer+at+end+of+1st+portage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1BVf8PBEBqg/U5IxKMhd1_I/AAAAAAAACkM/bwh7G1dtToU/s1600/320+Howe+sound+beer+at+end+of+1st+portage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A celebratory beer when we finished! At this point it was getting to be 5 o'clock. This first portage took us 5 and a half hours and included 6 and a quarter miles walking for each of us. Brutal! David is casting in the distance.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ruiUH7cn9M/U5IxD6cnrSI/AAAAAAAAChw/WTcoHSMHAXs/s1600/213+seth+launching+yak+after+1st+portage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ruiUH7cn9M/U5IxD6cnrSI/AAAAAAAAChw/WTcoHSMHAXs/s1600/213+seth+launching+yak+after+1st+portage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I loaded up. David and Gina were sure I was going to bite the big one when I slid into the water but I was too tired to get back out of the boat and a less dramatic water entry. As you can see below my water landing was incident free and I proclaimed half heartedly "here comes a stud" and "a stud's in charge." There was still a bit of humor left!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fLGQU-vaGuY/U59uM2bKZTI/AAAAAAAAC1s/c_LcZu5cliY/s1600/twin+lakes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fLGQU-vaGuY/U59uM2bKZTI/AAAAAAAAC1s/c_LcZu5cliY/s1600/twin+lakes.JPG" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
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There's a neat bluff that overlooks the First Twin lake where it appears the trail crew camped. There's a fire ring, a cleared out area in the woods and a cool home made table.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J526BbtEf90/U5ekgVbh-aI/AAAAAAAACvo/pW6tXI0Bcwc/s1600/IMG_2491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J526BbtEf90/U5ekgVbh-aI/AAAAAAAACvo/pW6tXI0Bcwc/s1600/IMG_2491.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_vdLHA7OWo/U5IxKctj_wI/AAAAAAAACkQ/BkDUn-_zzB4/s1600/321+1st+twin+lake+I+believe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_vdLHA7OWo/U5IxKctj_wI/AAAAAAAACkQ/BkDUn-_zzB4/s1600/321+1st+twin+lake+I+believe.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Paddling on the first of the two Twin Lakes.</div>
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<script src="http://occipital.com/360/embed.js?pano=Aghgvk&width=640&height=480"></script>
Here's a rough 360 of the second Twin Lake.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-42UIKQJHmnw/U5IxKeXfoFI/AAAAAAAACjs/2jGkKe-oxQE/s1600/322+point+between+twin+lakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-42UIKQJHmnw/U5IxKeXfoFI/AAAAAAAACjs/2jGkKe-oxQE/s1600/322+point+between+twin+lakes.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The narrow channel that separates the Twin Lakes.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nvBxmDIugkA/U5Iw4iYg6AI/AAAAAAAACeI/T-UkZ-UXK9c/s1600/138+twin+lake+reef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nvBxmDIugkA/U5Iw4iYg6AI/AAAAAAAACeI/T-UkZ-UXK9c/s1600/138+twin+lake+reef.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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There was clear sailing between the Twin Lakes. It's really one lake connected by a narrow channel. The second twin lake, seen above, may have been my favorite lake of the journey. There was a barely visible rock reef protruding from the water quite a ways from the shore. Very cool!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fXcd56gIuZU/U5IxLBz6lDI/AAAAAAAACkA/K_efCd9eCg8/s1600/323+2nd+twin+lake+island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fXcd56gIuZU/U5IxLBz6lDI/AAAAAAAACkA/K_efCd9eCg8/s1600/323+2nd+twin+lake+island.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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An island can be seen to the left in the second Twin Lake. It would have been fun to explore this area a bit but we were running against the clock and we had a cabin to find before dark!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OJelqR39_Xw/U5ffqQDK5oI/AAAAAAAACwE/8b4uujv9Bmc/s1600/leaving+2nd+twin+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OJelqR39_Xw/U5ffqQDK5oI/AAAAAAAACwE/8b4uujv9Bmc/s1600/leaving+2nd+twin+lake.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The passage leaving the Twin Lakes heading into the Thorne River. It's time for some downstream action, right?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yiqyXJIX0KU/U5IxL-MPgYI/AAAAAAAAClY/K7iqCSf0YbE/s1600/325+downstream+first+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yiqyXJIX0KU/U5IxL-MPgYI/AAAAAAAAClY/K7iqCSf0YbE/s1600/325+downstream+first+time.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gina prepares to tackle some "rapids." The roughly 2 and a half miles between Twin Lakes and Thorne Lake is a rinse and repeat of sit in the kayak for 3 minutes and walk for 10. There is no long relaxing section where you can paddle for an hour. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lfqd7kof0Xs/U5IxMD_sHPI/AAAAAAAACkc/9_InAp_8LOc/s1600/326+tree+growing+out+of+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lfqd7kof0Xs/U5IxMD_sHPI/AAAAAAAACkc/9_InAp_8LOc/s1600/326+tree+growing+out+of+water.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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We saw this cool old tree growing directly out of the water.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDye7P7wXSc/U5IxMQ65-1I/AAAAAAAACkU/dkQ9cd-66P8/s1600/327+portage+downstream+from+2nd+twin+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDye7P7wXSc/U5IxMQ65-1I/AAAAAAAACkU/dkQ9cd-66P8/s1600/327+portage+downstream+from+2nd+twin+lake.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I don't recall exactly how many but we had to bypass 5 or 6 logjams in this stretch. Each one a brutal test of will after that long portage.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GZGNG8lrhh8/U5IxM-6s8QI/AAAAAAAACks/9VlYfSyIeB8/s1600/328+not+the+recommended+footware.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GZGNG8lrhh8/U5IxM-6s8QI/AAAAAAAACks/9VlYfSyIeB8/s1600/328+not+the+recommended+footware.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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David taught me how to ride my kayak like this. This way it's much easier to get in and out over and over and over and over. I actually took this picture to use as a warning: don't go the footwear route that I did! I chose waders with neoprene feet and figured some cheap ass $5 sandals I picked up at Next Adventure would work for shoes. The feet were too baggy to just wear old shoes I already had laying around the house. This setup actually fully sucked shit. There are roots and sticks everywhere in the creeks we walked through and I had a hole in one of my feet on the very first day. But that wasn't even the worst part. There were tons of sections where we would be walking in the creeks on slippery ass boulders and rocks. My crappy sandals had zero traction in the water and I would endlessly slip jamming my exposed feet and toes into rock crevices. Twice I slipped and plunged up to my neck. It tested the waterproofness of my life vest pockets where my iPhone was. Yep- they're waterproof! By the end of the journey my feet were bruised all over, sore as shit and I thought maybe I was going to lose one toenail in particular. David had a decent setup with some old tennis shoes over his neoprene feet but he got his waders used off of Craigslist. They came non-waterproof. Gina may have had the best set up . She bought <a href="http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=732860&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FproductId%3D732864%26type%3Dproduct%26productVariantId%3D1811666%26WT.tsrc%3DCSE%26WT.mc_id%3DGoogleProductAds%26WT.z_mc_id1%3D732864%26rid%3D40%26channel%3DGoogleBaseUSA%26mr%3AtrackingCode%3DA6037452-F5D2-DF11-82EF-001B21631C34%26mr%3AreferralID%3DNA%26mr%3Adevice%3Dc%26mr%3AadType%3Dpla%26mr%3Aad%3D49098326231%26mr%3Akeyword%3D%26mr%3Amatch%3D%26mr%3Afilter%3D74577652271%26gclid%3DCIeJsIG6_74CFQiUfgodsK8Aew%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds&WTz_l=YMAL%3BIK-830090" target="_blank">waders with built in boots</a> and they seemed to work fine for her. She still had sore feet when we were done though but I think anyone would.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_ESrA43Cyw/U5IxNI3eOkI/AAAAAAAACko/ARIGl9fT2rI/s1600/329+another+log+jam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_ESrA43Cyw/U5IxNI3eOkI/AAAAAAAACko/ARIGl9fT2rI/s1600/329+another+log+jam.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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More logjam.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mpHDzzlhJRU/U5IxNw8UiSI/AAAAAAAACk0/46vOmBrFElg/s1600/330+between+log+jams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mpHDzzlhJRU/U5IxNw8UiSI/AAAAAAAACk0/46vOmBrFElg/s1600/330+between+log+jams.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A nice spot to paddle for a moment.</div>
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Another logjam.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7vGp-BChg98/U5IxOfNj9RI/AAAAAAAACk8/h40grSp52b4/s1600/332+jamming+kayak+under+log.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7vGp-BChg98/U5IxOfNj9RI/AAAAAAAACk8/h40grSp52b4/s1600/332+jamming+kayak+under+log.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We were able to jam our kayaks under the lowest log and avoid dragging our boats out of the water.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--5n7R_txjxU/U5IxPE10gzI/AAAAAAAAClM/EtZc4MS7cLc/s1600/333+sitting+area.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--5n7R_txjxU/U5IxPE10gzI/AAAAAAAAClM/EtZc4MS7cLc/s1600/333+sitting+area.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some more paddling.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0-kr-S1TmZk/U5IxPadt2BI/AAAAAAAACmw/Wji1fdPeNnk/s1600/334+entering+lake+maybe+thorne+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0-kr-S1TmZk/U5IxPadt2BI/AAAAAAAACmw/Wji1fdPeNnk/s1600/334+entering+lake+maybe+thorne+lake.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was dusk when we finally hit the northern end of the lake.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IeE0TLU1sok/U5IxP6ldFrI/AAAAAAAAClk/htpTElKD2PU/s1600/335+approaching+island+campsite+thorne+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IeE0TLU1sok/U5IxP6ldFrI/AAAAAAAAClk/htpTElKD2PU/s1600/335+approaching+island+campsite+thorne+lake.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We reached Thorne Lake around 9:30 and had given up on finding the trapper's cabin. This point of land on an island had an awesome campsite with a fire ring. It looked like it may have been a year or two since it was used. We camped on an <a href="http://www.elbruz.org/islands/Islands%20and%20Lakes.htm" target="_blank">island on a lake on an island!</a> Although it may already have a name, we nicknamed it Skull Island in honor of where the <a href="http://kingkong.wikia.com/wiki/Simian_Raticus" target="_blank">Sumatran rat monkey</a> was from.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyUSDlGbHXg/U59yLx-rP3I/AAAAAAAAC14/W08sYsVZk4I/s1600/skull+island.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyUSDlGbHXg/U59yLx-rP3I/AAAAAAAAC14/W08sYsVZk4I/s1600/skull+island.JPG" height="313" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMa9WdlD-WI/U5Iw4kWl-cI/AAAAAAAACeY/QjWUXncThc4/s1600/139+view+north+from+thorne+lake+campsite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMa9WdlD-WI/U5Iw4kWl-cI/AAAAAAAACeY/QjWUXncThc4/s1600/139+view+north+from+thorne+lake+campsite.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our campsite had a stunning view of the sunset. Fuck yeah!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3X05e89RF2s/U5Iw5KC4AxI/AAAAAAAACe8/d0IjmGqwL7g/s1600/140+gina+cooking+thorne+lake+camp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3X05e89RF2s/U5Iw5KC4AxI/AAAAAAAACe8/d0IjmGqwL7g/s1600/140+gina+cooking+thorne+lake+camp.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gina making dinner.</div>
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Plenty of dry firewood within 20 feet of our campsite.</div>
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Daily beer count: 3. Pretty weak showing but today was almost non-stop. I had one to celebrate finishing the portage and two at our campsite.</div>
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Links: <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/journey-to-alaska-and-prince-of-wales.html" target="_blank">Journey intro</a>, Days <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales.html" target="_blank">1 and 2</a>, <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales_16.html" target="_blank">Day 4</a>.</div>
<br />The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-33775959883252894312014-06-09T23:30:00.000-07:002014-06-24T09:56:07.342-07:00The Honker Divide on Prince of Wales Island, Days 1 and 2<br />
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To read about the motivation for this adventure and the journey to Prince of Wales Island, check out <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales.html" target="_blank">this page</a>! Or skip to <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales_10.html" target="_blank">day 3</a> or <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales_16.html" target="_blank">day 4</a>.<br />
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<i>I scoured the internet for trip reports, advice, pictures or any other first hand accounts from which to garner knowledge. Very little was found. Maybe that should have been a sign.</i> All I found was this <a href="http://terrygardiner.zenfolio.com/p1027899147" target="_blank">slideshow</a> with 19 pictures but little text and a blog called <a href="http://huntersalaskanvoyage.wordpress.com/2012/08/" target="_blank">Hunter's Alaskan Voyage</a> which has 8 pictures of his trip. The only unique text description was a single paragraph that Hunter wrote in his blog which I will copy and paste here:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.9950008392334px; text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"For my last week off, I had planned a canoe trip with some friends I made over at the Ketchikan bunkhouse. The original plan was for Katie and Jenn to come over and we were going to do the Honker Divide canoe trip. The Honker is a 33-mile canoe trip filled with 8 miles of upstream paddling, 4 miles of portaging, and the wonder levels were high enough. With all that in mind, Katie didn’t feel comfortable with it and backed out. At the time I didn’t blame her as I was also skeptical about doing it, but I felt I needed to stay true to my word and Jenn was really set on bagging the trip. So, she ferried over and we conquered the divide. The weather was in our favor the whole time. That is not saying it was sunny, but we didn’t get rained on and saw patches of blue sky here and there. The water seemed to be ok. The first two days we did have to get out of the canoe frequently and walk past areas where it was too shallow. The portaging wasn’t bad either, but my neck is sore from the canoe balancing on it. We were also fortunate to stay in cabins both nights. One we booked at Honker Lake, and the other we heard about but weren’t sure if it was habitable or not. We saw it after our second portage and decided to stay in it. It was an old tracker’s cabin. There actually was a newspaper article in there about a guy back in the 1920′s who was missing and it was determined that he was eaten by wolves. Pretty gnarly eh! We didn’t hear or see any wolves, though. Bummer! We did see some loons, eagles, plenty of pink salmon, sockeye that had turned red and green, a beaver, and a bear. The trip was awesome, especially the last day as the water level was high enough to where we didn’t have to get out of the canoe if we didn’t want to, and we were able to float along and fish. Thanks Jenn for coming over and partaking in the Honker with me. This trip goes down in the books for sure!"</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20.9950008392334px;">For the most part an enthusiastic account of the trip without any major complaints. Sounds easy enough! Perhaps another warning sign about how challenging this trip might be is that I asked both the Prince of Wales Island Recreation Planner, Tory, as well as local outdoorsman and writer Jeff (check out Jeff's </span><a href="http://jlundoutdoors.com/" style="line-height: 20.9950008392334px;" target="_blank">great website</a><span style="line-height: 20.9950008392334px;"> about living on POW) if they had done the Honker. They both said no and they both have lived on the island for years. In the end, we didn't have a first hand account of what to expect or how to prepare. Maybe it wouldn't have mattered anyway. We were determined! After we were done with our trip I discovered, through Instagram, a group of friends who have done the Honker 3 years in a row including the week before we did it. They had some advice I wish we would have heard before the trip.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20.9950008392334px;">At the end of the day 4 page I will summarize my feelings on this trip and what I would do differently if I were to do it again.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20.9950008392334px;">Links: </span><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tongass/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=79151&actid=34" style="line-height: 20.9950008392334px;" target="_blank">Forest Service.</a><span style="line-height: 20.9950008392334px;"> </span><a href="http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-tongass-national-forest-paddling-sidwcmdev_065665.html" style="line-height: 20.9950008392334px;" target="_blank">GORP</a><span style="line-height: 20.9950008392334px;">, </span><a href="http://www.seatrails.org/com_coffmancove/trl-honker.htm" style="line-height: 20.9950008392334px;" target="_blank">SeaTrails,</a><span style="line-height: 20.9950008392334px;"> Reserve the <a href="http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/honker-lake-cabin/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=71882" target="_blank">Honker Lake Cabin</a>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20.9950008392334px;"> A humorous <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1091&dat=19901210&id=NLEkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Bw8GAAAAIBAJ&pg=1737,471541" target="_blank">letter to the editor</a> of Island News from 1990 with a description of the Honker Divide trip that reflected our experiences to a T (1st paragraph). </span></span></span></div>
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<u style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 20.9950008392334px;">The Honker Divide</u></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7FzZqytzKYI/U5pGqboWT2I/AAAAAAAACzE/q8oDW4V3DPs/s1600/honker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7FzZqytzKYI/U5pGqboWT2I/AAAAAAAACzE/q8oDW4V3DPs/s1600/honker.jpg" height="307" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nK0fusmqRkQ/U5pL3iXtaRI/AAAAAAAACzU/Wtu9sP_EFsc/s1600/honker+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nK0fusmqRkQ/U5pL3iXtaRI/AAAAAAAACzU/Wtu9sP_EFsc/s1600/honker+1.JPG" height="320" width="196" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HWbWsVZZjY/U5pL3o9bFiI/AAAAAAAACzw/SwOl5V-3oBU/s1600/honker+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HWbWsVZZjY/U5pL3o9bFiI/AAAAAAAACzw/SwOl5V-3oBU/s1600/honker+2.JPG" height="320" width="181" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--rBhYGoxOUo/U5pL39708CI/AAAAAAAACzY/nO-BY4VAEb8/s1600/honker+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--rBhYGoxOUo/U5pL39708CI/AAAAAAAACzY/nO-BY4VAEb8/s1600/honker+3.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxavtZXTr3c/U5pL4TP0coI/AAAAAAAACzg/-4vNF6qP3us/s1600/honker+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxavtZXTr3c/U5pL4TP0coI/AAAAAAAACzg/-4vNF6qP3us/s1600/honker+4.JPG" height="307" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VDOZaYj_fIs/U5pL42u_0EI/AAAAAAAACzk/gtBvwATHDrI/s1600/honker+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VDOZaYj_fIs/U5pL42u_0EI/AAAAAAAACzk/gtBvwATHDrI/s1600/honker+5.JPG" height="110" width="320" /></a></div>
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Obviously these maps are not meant for navigational purposes. </div>
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We decided to leave our truck in Thorne Bay so we wouldn't have to go get it when we were finished. This turned out to be a good move as time constraints came into play later on. I called Jeff (907-401-1414) from Island Ride a couple of months in advance and then again the day before I needed a ride. We were all set for a 2 o'clock pick up in Thorne Bay. We drove from Klawock to Hatchery Creek Bridge where the Honker Divide begins. I dumped off all of our stuff and David and Gina and I drove the hour and a half to Thorne Bay to be picked up by Jeff. when 2:15 came around I got a little worried so I called him. He said he had gotten hung up on another job but his reaction made me think that he may have forgotten. He was still in Craig and I wouldn't see him for another hour yet. Despite this little hiccup this was a great and convenient way to get shuttled back to Hatchery Creek Bridge. Jeff was an engaging guy with tons of knowledge about the island. Just make sure to give him that third call an hour or two before you need the ride!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sfA7utHRC54/U5ZFL9k0AiI/AAAAAAAACtI/N7x9Z4x5rRI/s1600/200+Honker+canoe+route+trailhead+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sfA7utHRC54/U5ZFL9k0AiI/AAAAAAAACtI/N7x9Z4x5rRI/s1600/200+Honker+canoe+route+trailhead+sign.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can't miss the start.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lbLlOUAC0k8/U5ZEZZ0yCII/AAAAAAAACpk/MKV6aSDOPdM/s1600/308+view+from+hatchery+creek+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lbLlOUAC0k8/U5ZEZZ0yCII/AAAAAAAACpk/MKV6aSDOPdM/s1600/308+view+from+hatchery+creek+bridge.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A view from the Hatchery Creek Bridge. This is where our adventure began.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lu5nKzI7xYE/U5ZEmjX1HwI/AAAAAAAACps/mOd8dTOFzCI/s1600/309+unloading+truck+at+hatchery+creek+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lu5nKzI7xYE/U5ZEmjX1HwI/AAAAAAAACps/mOd8dTOFzCI/s1600/309+unloading+truck+at+hatchery+creek+bridge.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dropping off all our junk and two passengers.</div>
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David doing some fishing while waiting for me to return. He caught several small rainbows here. What a stud!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swCRthK7hLE/U5ZFCkGY6WI/AAAAAAAACqE/ojLQvwH4kio/s1600/101+hiking+up+hatchery+creek+from+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swCRthK7hLE/U5ZFCkGY6WI/AAAAAAAACqE/ojLQvwH4kio/s1600/101+hiking+up+hatchery+creek+from+bridge.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We were able to paddle for maybe 1000 feet before we hit our first shallow rapid and were out pulling (lining) our kayaks. According to the Forest Service website it is 8 miles upstream from the bridge to our goal of the Honker Lake cabin. We hit the water at 5 pm figuring we could camp along the way if we ran out of daylight or motivation.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-INSfKUqw8qo/U5ZFCXNHGFI/AAAAAAAACq0/Odkeh3-qDN4/s1600/102+entering+hatchery+lake+first+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-INSfKUqw8qo/U5ZFCXNHGFI/AAAAAAAACq0/Odkeh3-qDN4/s1600/102+entering+hatchery+lake+first+lake.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Entering a nice flat area before paddling into our first lake: Hatchery Lake.</div>
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Smooth sailing across Hatchery Lake. We were still in fully stoked mode here. It was a beautiful day and the scenery is gorgeous!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Da-tjOhl7LM/U5ZFDCwK8NI/AAAAAAAACqU/0pBmE4PlE7Y/s1600/104+David+heading+into+lake+perhaps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Da-tjOhl7LM/U5ZFDCwK8NI/AAAAAAAACqU/0pBmE4PlE7Y/s1600/104+David+heading+into+lake+perhaps.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Leaving Hatchery Lake.</div>
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Gina glides under a fallen tree. </div>
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Hiking upstream approaching a logjam. I took pictures of the first 5 or 6 logjams we came across. I eventually quit taking them because there are so many. This area is salmon and trout habitat and the natural debris makes for excellent fish habitat but tough kayak habitat.</div>
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Taking a breather while David does some fly fishing.</div>
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I caught this little beast. This ended up being the only fish I caught the entire trip. I had decided to ease the pain of the thousands of fish I planned on catching by removing two of the three hooks on my treble hooks and removing the barb on the final hook. It really makes it a bitch to catch a fish! I probably had 50 bites on our journey but couldn't haul any in.</div>
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One of our early small portages to get around a logjam. There is no distinct trail around these logjams. We just kind of poked around and found what looked like the easiest way to drag the boats. It seems so few people do this trip that you're on your own as far as small decisions like these are concerned. There are no set paths. We would occasionally see signs from the people that had canoed the route the week before us and would use those signs as potential clues of where to drag the boats. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HxDPah_hEe0/U5ZFEA6voJI/AAAAAAAACqw/-4pN9CvpzzA/s1600/109+baby+wood+ducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HxDPah_hEe0/U5ZFEA6voJI/AAAAAAAACqw/-4pN9CvpzzA/s1600/109+baby+wood+ducks.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Baby wood ducks I briefly and accidentally separated from their mother on the creek. The Mom was pissed!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOvm08V6aLI/U5ZFNdwoigI/AAAAAAAACt4/9RHNbeBrzo4/s1600/207+approaching+the+GD+rock+pile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOvm08V6aLI/U5ZFNdwoigI/AAAAAAAACt4/9RHNbeBrzo4/s1600/207+approaching+the+GD+rock+pile.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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More walking. Mostly walking. Here we approach what we would later learn is called the GD Rockpile. In the registry book in the cabin I saw the "GD Rockpile" mentioned several times. It took me a second- God Damn Rockpile. I agree! It's a section of Hatchery Creek rapids that is much faster and deeper than the rest of the creek.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ5C3AhNxGs/U5ZFO11-uJI/AAAAAAAACuM/FsLKsMVAb5M/s1600/311+pulling+boats+up+the+GD+rockpile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ5C3AhNxGs/U5ZFO11-uJI/AAAAAAAACuM/FsLKsMVAb5M/s1600/311+pulling+boats+up+the+GD+rockpile.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pulling our kayaks up the GD Rockpile. This seemed a little rough at the time. If the water was higher it would have been even more brutal. Due to how difficult the Honker becomes later, looking back, the GD Rockpile seems like a piece of cake.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNeRqdkfv1Q/U5ZFEWtdbyI/AAAAAAAACrQ/ECjvILe4xmY/s1600/110+beginning+of+GD+rock+pile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNeRqdkfv1Q/U5ZFEWtdbyI/AAAAAAAACrQ/ECjvILe4xmY/s1600/110+beginning+of+GD+rock+pile.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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More GD Rockpile rapids. The rocks were slippery so it made walking upstream very slow.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEvj8uSMb8o/U6msvpGI1LI/AAAAAAAAC44/E-OzkU54GbQ/s1600/DSC00885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEvj8uSMb8o/U6msvpGI1LI/AAAAAAAAC44/E-OzkU54GbQ/s1600/DSC00885.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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A great shot of how swift and deep this section is even with low water.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0tGY3ID2j8/U5ZFFfoxGGI/AAAAAAAACrM/rhP3Iq4GO-M/s1600/111+more+GD+rockpile+David+Gina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0tGY3ID2j8/U5ZFFfoxGGI/AAAAAAAACrM/rhP3Iq4GO-M/s1600/111+more+GD+rockpile+David+Gina.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Leaving the rapids of the GD Rockpile but still walking.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOGeOHGTWEo/U5ZFGY2JutI/AAAAAAAACrg/uEiB8PQuMSs/s1600/113+looking+back+from+Honker+entrance+Gina+David.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOGeOHGTWEo/U5ZFGY2JutI/AAAAAAAACrg/uEiB8PQuMSs/s1600/113+looking+back+from+Honker+entrance+Gina+David.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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More walking. We estimated the GD Rockpile section to be around half to three quarters of a mile. We walked almost the entirety of the distance between Hatchery Lake and Butterfly Lake and between Butterfly Lake and Honker Lake.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BCiE_2Umqts/U5ZFFVcsw0I/AAAAAAAACrI/9WbSAxvrqrg/s1600/112+entering+Honker+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BCiE_2Umqts/U5ZFFVcsw0I/AAAAAAAACrI/9WbSAxvrqrg/s1600/112+entering+Honker+Lake.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally- getting to a marshy area where we can sit in the kayaks.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hsrn2txYucw/U5ZFO4EbAHI/AAAAAAAACuA/B-31wYUNFYo/s1600/312+lilly+pads+where+though.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hsrn2txYucw/U5ZFO4EbAHI/AAAAAAAACuA/B-31wYUNFYo/s1600/312+lilly+pads+where+though.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some lilly pads in Butterfly Lake.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8PMeHKyDc9M/U59em0pXryI/AAAAAAAAC0s/u0phsOjefV4/s1600/Butterfly+Lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8PMeHKyDc9M/U59em0pXryI/AAAAAAAAC0s/u0phsOjefV4/s1600/Butterfly+Lake.JPG" height="307" width="320" /></a></div>
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The path was blocked by marshy grasses to the left of the island so we cut right through some lily pads. It was dusk at this point so we were trying to speed through here.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hAOMtPLq8RU/U5ZFGgNk7QI/AAAAAAAACss/_6HASKK2z80/s1600/114+Honker+Lake+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hAOMtPLq8RU/U5ZFGgNk7QI/AAAAAAAACss/_6HASKK2z80/s1600/114+Honker+Lake+sunset.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A really nice sunset to the west from Butterfly Lake. This lake wasn't very big and we were in and out within 10 minutes.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-02X3MQeHINg/U5ZFG0GTLJI/AAAAAAAACrk/03iGCHJDuNg/s1600/115+another+log+jam+on+way+to+honker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-02X3MQeHINg/U5ZFG0GTLJI/AAAAAAAACrk/03iGCHJDuNg/s1600/115+another+log+jam+on+way+to+honker.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A logjam between Butterfly Lake and Honker Lake. For this logjam we drug our kayaks over the lowest tree rather than find a path around. Seemed to work just fine. It was starting to get dark but we had been going so long we figured we couldn't be far from Honker Lake and the cabin. We spent a good two hours walking through the dark.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ckAD_zIKnJs/U5ZFHolTllI/AAAAAAAACso/agwcfSXDvXw/s1600/117+finally+reaching+Honker+I+think+perhaps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ckAD_zIKnJs/U5ZFHolTllI/AAAAAAAACso/agwcfSXDvXw/s1600/117+finally+reaching+Honker+I+think+perhaps.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looking upstream to Honker Lake in the darkness. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYVFhRbsINQ/U5ZFHeTkQoI/AAAAAAAACr8/q8b_lWBmt-0/s1600/116+Gina+almost+to+honker+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYVFhRbsINQ/U5ZFHeTkQoI/AAAAAAAACr8/q8b_lWBmt-0/s1600/116+Gina+almost+to+honker+lake.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looking back downstream towards Gina. The sun was gone but this time of year it never seems to get truly dark.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jdzd2Cx7i8Y/U5ZFHwu0f5I/AAAAAAAACsc/56gYST-7SPE/s1600/118+finally+in+honker+lake+bitches+gina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jdzd2Cx7i8Y/U5ZFHwu0f5I/AAAAAAAACsc/56gYST-7SPE/s1600/118+finally+in+honker+lake+bitches+gina.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Following the east shoreline of Honker Lake keeping our eyes peeled for the cabin.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IRT0Qs-2Fk/U5ZFI8mcL1I/AAAAAAAACsI/s7nbH1f23cg/s1600/119+beer+and+dinner+in+honker+lake+cabin+gina+david.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IRT0Qs-2Fk/U5ZFI8mcL1I/AAAAAAAACsI/s7nbH1f23cg/s1600/119+beer+and+dinner+in+honker+lake+cabin+gina+david.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Success! We arrived at the Honker Lake cabin around 11:30. Beer thirty!</div>
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Daily beer count: 7. Did pretty good. Had a Coors while waiting for a ride in Thorne Bay, a Sierra Nevada before got we got in the yaks at the Hatchery Creek bridge and some beers when we pulled into the cabin. Fuck yeah!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-akADSGRk_xs/U5ZFJDrSQ1I/AAAAAAAACsY/yNRfamqxvlQ/s1600/120+honker+lake+in+the+morning+mist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-akADSGRk_xs/U5ZFJDrSQ1I/AAAAAAAACsY/yNRfamqxvlQ/s1600/120+honker+lake+in+the+morning+mist.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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My friend Davy told us there is a pack of wolves that lives in the divide. We never saw any but I went outside around 6:00 in the morning and I heard yipping that reminded me of coyotes back in Oregon. Perhaps the wolves yipping? Here the mist rises from the lake early in the morning.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFC6UdyhjxE/U5ZFJH1ZK7I/AAAAAAAACsA/mCKjHMVaYQM/s1600/121+Honker+Lake+blue+sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFC6UdyhjxE/U5ZFJH1ZK7I/AAAAAAAACsA/mCKjHMVaYQM/s1600/121+Honker+Lake+blue+sky.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Blue sky! This was a planned day off to read, fish and drink beer. We had great weather and in fact it felt a bit too hot.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4yGWPBW4PCc/U5ZFJuD3HzI/AAAAAAAACsQ/at5CGC6BINI/s1600/122+looking+at+honker+lake+cabin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4yGWPBW4PCc/U5ZFJuD3HzI/AAAAAAAACsQ/at5CGC6BINI/s1600/122+looking+at+honker+lake+cabin.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A view of the cabin from the lake.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uBTPv-Pel2A/U5ZFJyvkDuI/AAAAAAAACtA/B3D1gmfPDuc/s1600/123+honker+lake+bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uBTPv-Pel2A/U5ZFJyvkDuI/AAAAAAAACtA/B3D1gmfPDuc/s1600/123+honker+lake+bear.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was exploring the lake when I spotted this bear on the shore about 1000 feet from the cabin. I watched him for maybe 5 minutes before he headed into the woods.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTbrMMKzP1o/U5ZFPK6s9iI/AAAAAAAACuk/2FGfjRTntMo/s1600/313+entering+narrow+spot+in+honker+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTbrMMKzP1o/U5ZFPK6s9iI/AAAAAAAACuk/2FGfjRTntMo/s1600/313+entering+narrow+spot+in+honker+lake.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Checking out where Hatchery Creek exits the lake in the daylight. David found a good fishing hole down here where he caught 7 trout.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg7CxXi05XY/U5ZFKqA7jfI/AAAAAAAACsg/J5Slz3ANirg/s1600/124+David+on+lake+edge+near+middle+section+honker+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg7CxXi05XY/U5ZFKqA7jfI/AAAAAAAACsg/J5Slz3ANirg/s1600/124+David+on+lake+edge+near+middle+section+honker+lake.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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David and I went to the narrow point in the lake's center to try some fishing.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-325kNNK16Sk/U5ZFPQWd9UI/AAAAAAAACuU/2V8rkQlnSeg/s1600/314+beaver+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-325kNNK16Sk/U5ZFPQWd9UI/AAAAAAAACuU/2V8rkQlnSeg/s1600/314+beaver+house.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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No luck, but we did find the largest beaver house I have ever seen. I think it was 7 or 8 feet tall in the middle. Huge!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUySHmEGKBo/U5ZFOFDej0I/AAAAAAAACuo/GWbwQD3ypb4/s1600/209+ginas+feet+relaxing+on+cabin+deck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUySHmEGKBo/U5ZFOFDej0I/AAAAAAAACuo/GWbwQD3ypb4/s1600/209+ginas+feet+relaxing+on+cabin+deck.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gina self-portrait. Beer, book and sun. This is living.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4pHIL5uQaFA/U5c54RavErI/AAAAAAAACu0/NCwVjJ0_HWs/s1600/HLC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4pHIL5uQaFA/U5c54RavErI/AAAAAAAACu0/NCwVjJ0_HWs/s1600/HLC.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Happy campers.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Nph9xH1td4/U6msqydO9qI/AAAAAAAAC4w/t7YmJwLJYvg/s1600/DSC01040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Nph9xH1td4/U6msqydO9qI/AAAAAAAAC4w/t7YmJwLJYvg/s1600/DSC01040.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lots of bites but couldn't pull anything in.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyvcylPKZGI/U5ZFK0Us9cI/AAAAAAAACtQ/fWGrRo1OiKc/s1600/125+david+fly+fishing+in+front+of+honker+cabin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyvcylPKZGI/U5ZFK0Us9cI/AAAAAAAACtQ/fWGrRo1OiKc/s1600/125+david+fly+fishing+in+front+of+honker+cabin.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some dusk fly fishing.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNY4GI9JxUI/U5ZFLecFOhI/AAAAAAAACsw/p4cKrUvMvFE/s1600/126+davids+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNY4GI9JxUI/U5ZFLecFOhI/AAAAAAAACsw/p4cKrUvMvFE/s1600/126+davids+fish.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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David caught this hogger right in front of the cabin. I had 10 bites in front of the cabin with my rooster tail but couldn't bring any in without the barb on my hook. Barbless fishing is a bitch!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-39a3Js2G_jY/U5ZFOnhShpI/AAAAAAAACuc/ICTdVdxqu9E/s1600/310+entering+first+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-39a3Js2G_jY/U5ZFOnhShpI/AAAAAAAACuc/ICTdVdxqu9E/s1600/310+entering+first+lake.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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View up the lake.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pEzP5JGYIWI/U6msv4QIZXI/AAAAAAAAC5E/nCVvlMN2XcM/s1600/DSC01176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pEzP5JGYIWI/U6msv4QIZXI/AAAAAAAAC5E/nCVvlMN2XcM/s1600/DSC01176.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lakeside fire.</div>
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Honker Stars. We had amazing weather for our journey.</div>
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When I wrote this in the registry I was still in great spirits. Still cracking lots of jokes. The humor would fade in the following days. Many of the other entries were full of humor and bear jokes. They should put a registry at the end of the trip! The registry went back to 2006. It appeared around half the entries were from people who flew in to the cabin. One guy was from Europe and was at the cabin for two weeks to "find myself." I saw <a href="http://huntersalaskanvoyage.wordpress.com/#jp-carousel-193">Hunter's</a> entry from 2012 too!</div>
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Daily beer count: 6 beers throughout this chill day supplemented by some wine and whiskey.</div>
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Links: <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/journey-to-alaska-and-prince-of-wales.html" target="_blank">Intro</a>, <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales_10.html" target="_blank">Day 3</a>, <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales_16.html" target="_blank">Day 4</a>.</div>
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The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-3183790455899074742014-06-09T19:30:00.000-07:002014-06-19T11:22:20.144-07:00Journey to Alaska and Prince of Wales Marathon<div style="text-align: center;">
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This page details the beginning of our journey up to the point of beginning The Honker Divide Canoe Route. To skip this section and jump immediately to the Honker please <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales.html" target="_blank">click here</a>.</div>
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Sometime in the mid 1990s while working for the Forest Service on Prince of Wales island I flew in a float plane very low, due to weather, following a series of rivers and lakes. I was intrigued by this place and asked Jerry, the pilot, what we were flying over. He told me "The Honker Divide." At the end of the route we flew low over Thorne Bay, turned southwest, flew over Guard Island, headed down the Tongass Narrows and set down in Ketchikan. That flight over the Honker made me curious as shit. I researched some Forest Service maps and decided that someday I would tackle the Divide. Flash forward some 16 or 17 years and that day had arrived! </div>
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These pages will describe our experience through the Divide, at least from my perspective. To give you an idea of our journey David recommended naming the trip report <i>The Honker Divide: A Cautionary Tale! </i>As I sit at my desk writing this around 256 and a half hours have passed since I stepped out of my yak onto the shores of Thorne Bay. That's long enough for much of the emotional pain to subside as well as the swollen hands, sore back, mosquito bites, blisters and bruises to have healed. Maybe I should have kept a live journal (I was too tired! Shit... we didn't even finish the beer we brought!) because 11 days later I'm thinking "that wasn't so bad..."<br />
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After we decided to rock the Honker I scoured the internet for trip reports, advice, pictures or any other first hand accounts from which to garner knowledge. Very little was found. Maybe that should have been a sign. This trip report is an attempt to leave a record for both myself and for others who someday may want to tackle this odyssey. </div>
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Fuck yeah!</div>
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The Grey Fog 2.0 sitting in front of David's house in NE Portland. With the extra wide bars and the angled racks on the outside we were able to load all three sea kayaks on with ease. We listened to a ton of Marc Maron podcasts, <a href="http://radiationcity.net/">Radiation City</a>, Grateful Dead (I'm going through a phase I missed out on in my youth), GBV and Sera Cahoone on the drive up. What free spirits!</div>
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First stop was in Bellingham where we visited David's sister Hilary and her boyfriend Chris. An oyster and salmon feast awaited us on our arrival! We talked about this dinner extensively for the rest of our two week vacation. Especially when we weren't sure we would make it our of the Honker alive. There were three different types of oysters!</div>
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Day 1 beer count: 8. Pretty good for the first day! Mostly low ABV beer like <a href="http://www.everybodysbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Everybody's Brewing</a> ISA, my favorite beer in the world right now! Sat around the fire chatting until midnight which left a lot of time for some quality beer drinking.</div>
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Waking in the morning in the backyard. On this trip David slept under the stars every night. It rubbed off on me and I learned to love it.</div>
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Next stop: Squamish. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stawamus_Chief" target="_blank">The Chief</a> rises in the background. We were told this is the second tallest rock face in North America behind half dome. Squamish is a super bad ass outdoor town full of doers. We saw kite boarders, rock climbers, mountain bikers and beer drinkers all in action!</div>
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Enjoying some brewskies at <a href="http://www.howesound.com/home.aspx" target="_blank">Howe Sound Brewery.</a> Great beer and food! But the beers come in at almost 7 bucks each... ouch!</div>
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Following the advice of my brother we decided to take the route through the mountains on Highway 99 passing through Whistler and meet up with Highway 97 at Hat Creek Ranch rather than follow the valley going through Hope. We liked this route so much we went home this way as well for some picture taking opportunities. Tall mountains and lakes were everywhere. In the Whistler area we saw tons of activity including small boats on many lakes and dozens of mountain bikers between trails on the highway. Very cool area! Also of note: we saw a family bike touring. Two parents with their kids in trailers loaded down with tons of bags. It looked like an insane amount of work. We also saw a car that had stopped on its way down the mountain pass to put out a brake fire. Exciting!</div>
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Despite a lack of any good wood David built a great fire at <a href="http://www.xatsull.com/Businesses/WhisperingWillowsCampsite/tabid/67/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Whispering Willows</a> campground. We pulled in after dark and left quickly after waking. This campground served our purposes just fine and we didn't see anyone else while there.</div>
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Day 2 beer count: 5. Not too shabby. Slowed down a bit from the night before but we got in late so that didn't help.</div>
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Morning at Whispering Willows.</div>
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Setting up camp at the <a href="http://www.smithers.ca/residents/recreation-parks-culture/riverside-municipal-rv-park-campground" target="_blank">Riverside Municipal Campground</a> in Smithers. I really liked this place and the host was great to chat with. It was on the river and had showers and wifi. In the morning I went for a short beautiful run along trails that followed the river. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithers,_British_Columbia" target="_blank">town of Smithers</a> is very cool too. Make sure to check out the small but thriving downtown if you're ever here. We drove through downtown in the morning and got a <a href="http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/hang-loose-mallori-micallef.jpg" target="_blank">bro-bra</a> thrown our way before getting some beverages at a busy outdoor coffee shop where people were laughing and talking. Okay... we can move there. On our way out of town the bro-bra thrower was strumming his acoustic in the sun. We wondered if the ski resort helped the local economy as many of the small towns we went through looked like they were seeing some rough times but Smithers seemed happening. Maybe the vast distance to another large city helps.</div>
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Day 3 beer count: 3. Think I was just really tired at this point from our long journey.</div>
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Enjoying a beer at Breaker's Pub in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Rupert,_British_Columbia" target="_blank">Prince Rupert</a>. Although not bad tasting, the east coast Canadian IPA they had on tap is more like a Budweiser than a <a href="http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/20679/58439/" target="_blank">Country Boy.</a></div>
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We caught the ferry at 10 pm after wandering around Prince Rupert for a few hours. They opened the ferry bar and we had a couple of brewskies before heading to the solarium.</div>
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Trying to get a few ZZZs before arriving in Ketchikan. We get in at 3ish and planned on heading straight to Max's house. We'll pick him up and then summit Deer Mountain!</div>
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Day 4 beer count: 7.5. Several beers in Prince Rupert and in the bar on the Matanuska ferry really added up, plus one more snuck onto the back of the ferry. I think we split one waiting for the ferry too.</div>
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Pulling into Ketchikan. I can barely contain my excitement.</div>
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David and Max posing in front of the familiar small pond seen after the second lookout on the Deer Mountain hike. It is still partly covered in ice on this late May day.</div>
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Traversing across some snow fields. The closer we got to the top the more windy and cold it was. Although I was never actually scared there were some sketchy areas where I sure didn't want to slip. It was steep crossing the snow!</div>
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Looking down through the fog towards David.</div>
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The summit! Ketchikan would show up occasionally as the clouds drifted by. We huddled in the woods at the top and enjoyed some PBR that Max brought. Good thinking!</div>
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Heading back down the mountain. We got breakfast at the Pioneer back in town and were in our hotel room by 11 AM. It already felt like a long day. Nap time!</div>
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What to do after waking from a nap? Enjoy a beer on the deck of our hotel on Creek Street. Shit yeah!</div>
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We couldn't resist.</div>
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David had never been to Ketchikan before so we did a afternoon bar crawl starting at The 49er. We made it to the 49er, The First City, The Asylum, The Arctic (where Gina met us in a taxi coming from the airport) and finally The Sourdough. Ryan met us at The Asylum.</div>
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We tried to recreate a picture that was 12 (?) years old. We haven't changed a bit!</div>
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Day 5 beer count: 10.5. My doctor would be proud! This was a 'start at 8 in the morning' drinking day with the PBR on top of Deer Mountain. Stops at The 49er, First City, Asylum, Arctic and the Sourdough and</div>
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really added up too!</div>
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The next day we were free until dinner at Laura and Max's house at 5pm. We decided to show David all over town. We started at the north end of the highway and eventually made our way to the very southern end. We covered all 26 miles stopping off at points of interest we wanted to show David or places he had heard about and was curious about. This included my old house on Guard Court ("<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz6Tfn_POhw" target="_blank">me terrorize your house</a>" house (nc-17)), Green Bean Coffee Company, Totem Bight, Mountain Point, Herring Cove, the vomit boardwalk (<a href="http://i.imgur.com/5IcoxvV.jpg" target="_blank">reenactment</a>) and so on. We did eventually walk through The Plaza but I don't view that as a must visit anymore since they took out the <a href="http://i.imgur.com/0i52M85.jpg" target="_blank">Grillz</a> machine.</div>
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And of course we stopped by the coolest bar in the world-<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hole-In-the-Wall/409469555299" target="_blank"> Hole in the Wall!</a> Check out the 360 Pano below of the bar's interior. So badass and a don't miss if you go to Ketchikan!</div>
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Day 6 beer count: 6. Not too bad following a 10+ day. Hole in the Wall and Max's BBQ were the main culprits this day.</div>
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The next day we lounged around a little bit, did some shopping and generally just got ready to catch the afternoon ferry to Prince of Wales. Something else I love to do while in Ketchikan is see <a href="http://www.rubinarts.com/pages/gal_install/healthcenter.html" target="_blank">Dave Rubin</a> play <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV09YuasRxA">music.</a> Max told us he would be rocking at The Point cafe so we made our way over there. We got to catch about 30 minutes of the set. I'm a huge fan... excellent! Except they didn't sell beer at The Point. We made due with some Chai.</div>
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Ferry ride to the island!</div>
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David, Seth, Gina and Max drinking some beers on the dock in front of our cabin in Klawock.</div>
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We were treated to an amazing sunset! We took it easy because the next morning was the Prince of Wales Island half and full <a href="http://www.powmarathon.org/" target="_blank">marathon</a>! This marathon, which our Ketchikan friends have raved about for years, was the impetus for coming to Prince of Wales in the first place. Might as well do the Honker while we're here!</div>
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Day 7 beer count: 3. Took it really easy for the long marathon day ahead.</div>
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David, Max and I tackled the half. Here's a pic from my iPhone as I approach the turn around and halfway point.</div>
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A view during the run. Pretty bad ass!</div>
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The 26 mile marker. Seeing this felt so good. There was no way to catch the guy that I had been following for 4 or 5 miles but there was no way the guy that had been chasing me for 4 or 5 miles could catch me either. This was a very fun run that I would highly recommend. I came in a 2:06:41 which is the slowest half of the 5 or 6 I have ever run but this route is bit hillier than any other half I had done and it was muggy as shit. Having said that, I didn't find it particularly brutal in any way and would do it again in a heart beat.<br />
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David at the finish of his first half ever! Stud alert!</div>
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Stud muffins David, Max and I after ruling the half marathon. Not shown- the incredible salmon feed we got at the finish line.</div>
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We jumped in the car and cheered Gina on as she was rocking the full marathon like the stud hero that she is. Total bad ass!</div>
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We also cheered on Annette, a friend we made on the ferry who was from Wisconsin. She was on a bit of a vision quest bringing her husband's ashes with her on her trip. His dream was to see whales in Alaska. She went out on a boat the day after the marathon, found the whales he was looking for and spread his ashes at sea. A sad, happy and wonderful story. She Googled Alaska marathons, found the POW Island marathon and went for it. By the end of the day she had 100 new friends, including us. She was full of life and energy. Very cool!</div>
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Gina dominated the full marathon placing 3rd! Here she is being presented her third place plaque by former world record holding runner and POW Island marathon guest speaker <a href="http://www.50by25.com/" target="_blank">Laura Skladzinski</a>! I really enjoyed the entire marathon experience. It was well organized and everyone was very friendly. There were great aid stations that local businesses and groups put tons of energy into. There was a spaghetti feed the night before, a salmon feed at the end of the race, an awards ceremony that afternoon with a freakin ice cream buffet and then a gathering of runners at Hill Bar that night. It all totally ruled and was great fun.</div>
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There is no way 4 people can fit in the front of The Grey Fog 2.0 so Max volunteered to ride in the back during our beer run and return to the cabin.</div>
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That night we all went to the Hill Bar in Craig and partied. Here we are with Laura. She is super friendly and it was a trip to talk to her about her running experiences around all 50 states. She posted a great read about her experience visiting Prince of Wales island that echoes many of my sentiments. <a href="http://www.50by25.com/2014/05/breaking-tradition.html" target="_blank">Check it out!</a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9p1vUc9DEu8/U5IuYpqi6vI/AAAAAAAACZg/5Od_NHhWMiU/s1600/307+max+david+seth+gina+hill+bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9p1vUc9DEu8/U5IuYpqi6vI/AAAAAAAACZg/5Od_NHhWMiU/s1600/307+max+david+seth+gina+hill+bar.jpg" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hill Bar heroes!</div>
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Day 8 beer count: 10! Back in it! Beers after the race, in the cabin and at Hill Bar were delicious after a half marathon!</div>
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Proceed to <a href="http://exploringcascadia.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-honker-divide-on-prince-of-wales.html" target="_blank">Day 1</a> of the Honker Divide!</div>
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<br />The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-83592091340105317352014-04-20T11:41:00.001-07:002019-07-08T14:00:44.050-07:00Deer Mountain to Silvis Lake Trail, Ketchikan, Alaska<div style="text-align: center;">
The Deer Mountain to Silvis Lake Traverse is a trail that's been on my to do list ever since my early days in Ketchikan. It never worked out for a variety of endless excuses but mostly because I never made it a priority. Also, when I lived in Ketchikan my job included wilderness hiking 5 days a week. It's hard to get motivated to do a long hike on one of your few days off when that's what you do all summer anyway!</div>
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I had hiked to Blue Lake 3 or 4 times over the years and to Silvis Lake a couple times as well. Now it was time to connect the dots! The last couple years I was getting really anxious about doing the full route so we set aside a day and Max organized some folks from town to come with us. This hike is a bit of a one day monster at 13ish miles and probably 6000 feet of elevation gain. The first 2 miles you go straight up the side of Deer Mountain to close to 3000 feet and then it is pretty much all up and down until you arrive at the south end of the highway on George Inlet. It is beautifully epic with tremendous views and, snow fields and alpine meadows. Well worth the tired legs at the end of the day! We did this hike July 2nd, 2013, so there was still quite a bit of snow. One of Max's friends, Thor (spelling? His name is pronounced tore), acted as our guide and we definitely needed one. With all the snow we would have lost the trail at several points and not known which ridges to follow.</div>
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Some cursory research led me to believe this was a little blogged about hike. I did find a couple personal blogs that mention it including <a href="http://diariesofaketchikangirl.blogspot.com/2009/07/backpacking-silvis-to-deer-mountain.html" target="_blank">this one</a> from 2009 that gives a short but accurate picture of the hike as well as a brief mention on a cool travel blog called <a href="http://traveljunkette.com/photo-colorful-alaskan-mountains/" target="_blank">Travel Junkette</a>. Check it out! Travel Junkette also has a great page about <a href="http://traveljunkette.com/things-to-do-in-ketchikan-alaska/" target="_blank">things to do in Ketchikan</a> and another great page about <a href="http://traveljunkette.com/seasonal-worker-ketchikan-ak/" target="_blank">life as a seasonal worker</a>. Really cool! edit: by coincidence <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=778017472211142" target="_blank">this picture</a> showed up today Ketchikan's SitNews Facebook feed. What bad asses! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p4hPVECoh7k/U1MPr7P4LNI/AAAAAAAACRs/erIuIiZ0zuQ/s1600/DEAR+MOUNTAIN+TO+SILVAS+LAKE+TRAIL.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p4hPVECoh7k/U1MPr7P4LNI/AAAAAAAACRs/erIuIiZ0zuQ/s1600/DEAR+MOUNTAIN+TO+SILVAS+LAKE+TRAIL.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's the trail map straight from the Forest Service's super bad ass Ketchikan area <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5413489.pdf" target="_blank">hiking guide.</a> This guide has it all! </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRmdBZ4QAEY/U1MA1sJABmI/AAAAAAAACNI/s3e5lSTR8fo/s1600/IMG_1880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRmdBZ4QAEY/U1MA1sJABmI/AAAAAAAACNI/s3e5lSTR8fo/s1600/IMG_1880.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gina gearing up for our hike. We got started around 8am. We were the only ones to wear our X-Tra Tuffs on the hike. My feet were a little sore afterward but they were dry. Ten of ten would recommend over 12 hours of wet feet!</div>
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A quick break at the first lookout. Gazing off towards Anette Island and Metlakatla.</div>
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The quality of this photo is shit but off in the distance you can see the town of Metlakatla. What a nice day!</div>
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The second lookout. Joel's brother, Neil, led the way up the mountain and he is like a mountain goat. Despite having been running all winter I was huffing and puffing trying to keep up with that stud!</div>
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Ketchikan! We really scored on the weather. The day before was low clouds and rain! What are the odds of setting a date 5 months ahead of time, travelling to Alaska, having a rainy foggy day the day before and then having the bluest skies ever for hike day? Incredible!</div>
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On top in the alpine and snow. Joel looks handsome as usual.</div>
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On our way to Blue Lake. Some of the up and down.</div>
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The crew taking a break.</div>
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A picture of someone taking a picture of someone. Ketchikan down below.</div>
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Cruise ships.</div>
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Ridge tops.</div>
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Blue Lake! Still mostly covered in snow and ice but some of the emerald blue is showing. </div>
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At the spur trail for the lake Max gazes at the beauty of it all.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQ8yBp70Is4/U2qeVRrKFKI/AAAAAAAACTo/0IVOQowIVIU/s1600/Seth+Aaron+Blue+Lake+1993ish.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQ8yBp70Is4/U2qeVRrKFKI/AAAAAAAACTo/0IVOQowIVIU/s1600/Seth+Aaron+Blue+Lake+1993ish.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Edit (5-7-14): A friend of my sister's sent this to her and she sent it to me. It's me (on the left) and my friend Aaron on the shore's of Blue Lake circa summer of 1994. Wow! I remember we hiked up there and despite the snow in the background of the photo it was warm enough to briefly swim in. So cool! WTF was I wearing? Look at my hair!</div>
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The trail is still easy to follow at this point.</div>
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Stud hero.</div>
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Stud heroes.</div>
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If you look closely at this picture you will see a black dot on the snow at the about the midway point down the mountain on the left. This was the only other person we saw this day. He was shirtless and RUNNING the trail. He had already taken a wrong turn which added several miles to his trek. We talked to him a bit and after he left Max informed me he is a college athlete stud in the steeplechase (I think that's what it was). What a stud hero!</div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misty_Fiords_National_Monument" target="_blank">Misty Fjords</a> tour plane flying low over us.</div>
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Joel and Neil taking a breather.</div>
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There were a few steep sections like this that required all four limbs to traverse. My legs were burning!</div>
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Fully stoked!</div>
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Snow ridge line. Without Thor we would have missed several important turns in the trail due to all the snow.</div>
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One of the goats we saw! He was on a near vertical cliff fooling around like a hero! We probably saw around 10 goats total but most of them were way off in the distance. I love seeing them and in the old days when I used to hike to Blue Lake I don't recall them being around. Not sure if there are more now or if I am just more aware of them. I do remember flying in a Beaver for work one day and the pilot saw on north of Ketchikan some 20 miles and made a big deal out of it. I think there may be more now!</div>
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Upper Silvis Lake! Due to the terrain we cannot just descend into the lake's basin and rather must continue in the alpine to the left in this picture across the top of that cliff.</div>
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There were two or three spots where we had to slip slide our way down some snow patches. One in particular where if you kept going you might roll all the way down the mountain. Luckily, despite my fear, they didn't give us much trouble.</div>
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Lots of sunscreen in use!</div>
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Another 4 limb operation up this 'cliff.'</div>
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This section was so steep there was a long rope tied to the top to help ascend or descend the hill depending on the direction you're going.</div>
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I remember my legs on fire at this section. Down and up!</div>
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A bear friend!</div>
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Gorgeous meadow!</div>
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Just fucking insanely beautiful!</div>
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360 degrees! Yes.... Lovey G is my user name on 360 Panorama. Hey.... it's hard to think of new user names all the time!</div>
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We begin our descent out of the alpine and into the hemlock forest At this point you start to feel like you are getting close to the end but I believe it was still another 3 hours or so to our finish line.</div>
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Trail crews have been working in this stretch. It looks like it's going to be awesome when they are all done!</div>
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The lake's edge.</div>
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A look back from whence we came. Fuck yeah- we studded out!</div>
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The dirt road section was maybe 3 miles long and seemed to go on forever. I think it was a bit tedious after the beauty of the alpine. Was still great though!</div>
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The stud crew when we were all done! Laura brought us some cold beer as a reward for our hard work. They were delicious! I then proceeded to have 21 more when we got back to town.</div>
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If I were to do this again I would probably do a couple things differently. Not because I didn't enjoy this trip but instead to have a different experience. I would go later in the summer so the trail is easier to follow and it would be drier on the feet. Also, I would like to go about half way and camp. Doing it in one day had a go go go feeling about it and it would be cool to be more relaxed. I would also love to see the alpine sun rise and sunset! It was a feeling of accomplishment to finish something that had been on my to do list for so long and it was great to do it with great friends! It's a must do for those who live in Ketchikan!</div>
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edit: I thought I would add this 360 of downtown Ketchikan for a few reasons- it's cool! It shows us between beers! There's Dave Rubin's The Rock statue! and finally, if you look above the neon Ketchikan sign that is Deer Mountain where we began our hike that morning. Good times!</center>
The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-32427408010084078152014-04-03T11:45:00.001-07:002014-04-04T17:22:38.149-07:00Hiking Obsidian Falls Loop Trail With Max<div style="text-align: center;">
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I wanted to post about this hike because I really enjoyed it and found it to be scenic as shit. We actually hiked this bad boy in September of 2012 so I'm a little late to the game, but here it is. Max and I drove to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McKenzie_Pass" target="_blank">McKenzie Pass </a>and camped the first night at <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recarea/?recid=4382" target="_blank">Scott Lake.</a> We got there towards dusk, set up camp, started a fire, drank a beer and made dinner. Click on the pictures to see the entire scene if so desired!</div>
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Here's the route we took. The only spur we did was to Four in One Cone and some cross country bushwhacking to our secret fucking awesome epic campsite, Easton Butte. My friend John told me about the campsite and showed me where it is on the map. I'm sorry, but I feel it is my duty to keep the site a secret as it is so awesome I fear that it would be over run with cigarette butt droppers and bullet casings if I announce its location on the internet. It is great though with dramatic views of several peaks. We had ideal weather for this journey!</div>
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Look at the insane amount of shit we have on that picnic table! I wanted to make a dutch oven pizza so we had to load up appropriately.</div>
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Someone call the flavor police because we have a taste emergency! Wee oooo weee oooo!</div>
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Sasquatch stole our pants so we were forced to wear our sweat pants by the fire (picture by Sasquatch). Scott Lake was great but it was a bit dusty this late in the year. Who gives a shit- we're in the woods motherfuckers!</div>
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About half of the first day's hike was through some fairly dense smoke created by the epic <a href="http://media.oregonlive.com/weather_impact/photo/img-0532jpg-17199c98475f89d3.jpg" target="_blank">Pole Creek Fire</a> (not my pic). We weren't even sure we would be able to do the hike as we saw Forest Service trucks blocking off a lot of the side roads off of Highway 242 closer to Sisters. We talked to one of the Forest Service folks and they told us we would be fine at Obsidian. We were definitely out of harm's way but not out of the smoke!</div>
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Hazy woods. Hot stud.</div>
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Leaving the forest for our first patch of the lava fields. So bad ass!</div>
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Hack, cough. Taking the junction to<a href="http://www.nwhiker.com/4Cones.html" target="_blank"> Four in One Cone.</a> We walked through a really cool limited vegetation 'meadow,' hid our packs and headed to the summit. Here's Max kicking ass in the moonscape.</div>
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On the ridge line for Four in One Cone. It was super bad ass but must really be something with a view! There are some really neat ancient looking dead trees up here.</div>
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There's a sweaty stud on the trail sweating his ass off. What a hero stud.</div>
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Scott Trail met the PCT in a huge cool meadow. We turned right on the PCT and ran into these two goats. They told us they had been hiking for several days but were on their way out as they had tired of the smoke. In fact we passed several groups of people who were hiking out due to the smoke.</div>
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In the <a href="http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Opie_Dilldock_Pass" target="_blank">Opie Dilldock Pass</a> area with <a href="http://www.summitpost.org/collier-cone/151772" target="_blank">Collier Cone</a> through the smog in the background. That shirt is making me thirsty.</div>
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Despite the limited visibility it is very pretty! The background is nice too!</div>
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Heading down the switchbacks from the pass through a super bad ass lava canyon. If you bring your dog make sure to bring booties as these rocks are rough and sharp.</div>
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We finally made our way out of the smoke to a beautiful wildflower-strewn creek-gurgling spot called Sunshine Meadow. Just fucking gorgeous! </div>
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Fully stoked!</div>
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Oh nothing. Middle Sister in the background.</div>
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It's hard to see here but after we passed through Sunshine we crossed an area that was full of obsidian chunks everywhere. Those sparkling rocks in the foreground are pieces of the lava glass. Super bad ass but don't fall down!</div>
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Not sure of the name of this creek but it will lead us to the glory that is Obsidian Falls! Some really neat wide open spaces at this part of the trail.</div>
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Shit yeah! It's hard to tell from this pic but the talls are probably around 30 feet tall. We went down there and cooled off and picked up 10 pound pieces of obsidian and wondered about them.</div>
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We made it to our secret campsite! From where we camped we could see several mountains and would have seen more except for the smoke to the east. I packed a 6 pack of Sierra Nevada IPA pounders in a small cooler full of ice wrapped in garbage bags in my backpack all the way to our camp spot. Unfortunately, I think due to the smoke, I wasn't feeling super hot when we finally got there so I only drank one beer. Max took care of three of them though so it was worth the extra weight. Cheers!</div>
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Mountain sunset!</div>
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Our insane fucking bad ass ruling campsite on Easton Butte. Its location will remain a secret so littering dumb asses don't ruin it. Not that there are probably going to be too many littering tree chopping dip shits this far from a paved road.</div>
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Dense smoke to the east created a really neat sunset effect. Almost ocean like.</div>
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Good morning! Smoke still heavy in the valley. Luckily we didn't have to pass through it anymore until the very end of our hike back at the car. This was a beautiful hike that pretty much has it all: mountain views, streams, meadows, waterfalls, springs, lava flows, tree islands, obsidian. What else could you want? Highly recommended! Here is another <a href="http://www.nwhiker.com/ObsidianBasin.html" target="_blank">great description</a> of the hike. Google will take you to many more as well. Get off your ass and do it! And don't forget to get your wilderness pass first though.</div>
The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-72464239084893591102013-09-05T20:58:00.000-07:002013-09-10T12:11:51.416-07:00Hiking Grizzly Peak in Southern Oregon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
August 30th, 2013</div>
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Due to rain in the forecast we ditched our original with plans with Tim and Amanda to head to one of my favorite places in Oregon, <a href="http://www.floraslake.com/flw2.html" target="_blank">Floras Lake</a>. Instead we made alternative plans, pretty much on a whim, to pack up the camper and head south to southern Oregon- specifically to the southern Oregon Cascades near Ashland. We pretty much looked at a map and a weather forecast and picked a spot. We ended up at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_Lake_(Jackson_County,_Oregon)" target="_blank">Fish Lake</a>. The area is very beautiful with your typical high mountain fauna. It's a bit different than the central Cascades where I spend much of my time because it's drier. We brought plenty of beer, plenty of food and way too much warm clothes. Although it did chill down quite a bit at night so bring a warm sleeping bag!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish Lake started as a natural lake- a dam was added in 1902 to collect water for irrigation for the Rouge Valley. While we were here the lake itself wasn't much use to us. It's pretty but the water level was very low exposing the stumps from a bygone era. There were signs posted about warning about an algae bloom. I didn't see drastic evidence of this but I did see a ring of stinky water plants surrounding the lake's edge. The camp host told us she had never seen the water level this low. On the other hand, the Milky Way fucking blew my mind- I stood by the lake's edge with my binoculars and got dizzy with the thought of it all!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up camp. First things first: Gina grabs a beer!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We scoured our hiking guide books, including the fascinating tome <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0962211478" target="_blank">Where the Trails Are</a></i> by Bill Williams (excellent cover, Bill!) that Tim bought in Ashland at an outdoor store, and decided that <a href="http://www.outdoorstore.com/activities/day_hiking/grizzly_peak.php" target="_blank">Grizzly Peak</a> would be up our alley and fit our mood. Under 700 feet in elevation gain and around 5 miles (5.4.) I guess other people had the same idea as I counted 16 cars in the parking lot on this Saturday!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This sign reminds me of a joke my brother, a former commercial fisherman, used to enjoy telling. I can't remember the exact verbiage but the point was land lubbers are more assholes than sea goers are. How often do you see a sign shot up in the waterways? Funny! I think I'm missing part of the joke...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail begins in some cool forest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first of many rad meadows we passed through.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the loop intersection we turned left- shortly we took a short spur trail which led to a nice view southwest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Shasta, Pilot Rock and Immigrant Lake. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't wait to look at this later!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We then traversed through some of the <a href="http://www.ashland.or.us/News.asp?NewsID=850" target="_blank">Antelope Fire.</a> It burned some 1800 acres in 2002.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That;s the top... almost..... there...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east from the summit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim contemplating. Why he hangs out with us. That's Ashland at the foot of the hills towards the right of the photo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry. Bring water! Not pictured: the 4 PBRs we brought with us.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading down the hill we pass through more burned trees.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A massive fucking meadow. Gina can't believe it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished... what else? An Alchemy Ale from Widmer straight from the icy cooler in Tim's trunk! I enjoyed this hike and would recommend it if in the area. And you were in the mood I was in before we started. Not much work and some nice views.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gina and I decided to cut over to highway 97 to head home. We took some gravel back roads on the map and found this beautiful spot. It's called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_F._Kimball_State_Recreation_Site" target="_blank">Jackson F. Kimball Recreation Site</a> and I had never heard of it. It's the headwaters of the Woods River and is mind blowingly pretty. We saw 5 or 6 people in kayaks tooling around and there was a small campground too.</td></tr>
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<br />The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341682036761491701.post-59192086274042090072013-08-28T19:40:00.003-07:002013-08-29T14:20:54.851-07:00Sailing Big Lake and Hiking Sand Mountain<br />
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August 24th, 2013<br />
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We headed to one of my favorite areas of Oregon, Santiam Pass, to do some casual sailing and hiking. I find this region to be one of the prettiest in Oregon. Although motor boats are allowed on Big Lake we only saw one or two zooming around at any given moment and most of the time there were none in motion. The lake is big enough that they weren't obnoxious. This area is also a hotbed for, as the signs say, OHVers (off highway vehicles.) But much like the boats, in our particular campsite we weren't bothered by them. Here's a great PDF <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5364126.pdf" target="_blank">map of the area</a> that shows Big Lake in relation to Sand Mountain.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David's insane Sol Cat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David cooking with Mt. Washington in the Background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beer thirty indeed!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just fucking flying! Look at that wake!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My turn at the rudder. My name is Ishmael!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our route via GPS. That's what I call tacking!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q46e3nGkkpU/Uh7s3XeniHI/AAAAAAAACBU/B_9BKxgfGwk/s1600/IMG_0874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q46e3nGkkpU/Uh7s3XeniHI/AAAAAAAACBU/B_9BKxgfGwk/s320/IMG_0874.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In all its glory!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YGERjvFJs2c/Uh7s83C6KsI/AAAAAAAACBc/OYeA3SlMSiY/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YGERjvFJs2c/Uh7s83C6KsI/AAAAAAAACBc/OYeA3SlMSiY/s320/IMG_0843.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in the campground: I wish we could have seen these heroes in action!</td></tr>
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After sailing for a couple of hours we decided to drive over to the <a href="http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Sand_Mountain_Hike" target="_blank">Sand Mountain Trail.</a> This is one of those trails in William Sullivan's book that doesn't warrant a 1 through 100 spot but instead comes in at number 127. I didn't care. The book says it is short enough at under 2 miles round trip and it's only a few miles drive down some dirt roads from Big Lake to the trail head. Let's do this!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XqX5cuZ7VSY/Uh5C4T5yccI/AAAAAAAAB_I/Q5V-I2muZlo/s1600/IMG_0844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XqX5cuZ7VSY/Uh5C4T5yccI/AAAAAAAAB_I/Q5V-I2muZlo/s320/IMG_0844.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dirt Road on the way to the Sand Mountain trail head.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHuOmM9GVq4/Uh5C9KghLkI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/snBUxFbokzM/s1600/IMG_0845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHuOmM9GVq4/Uh5C9KghLkI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/snBUxFbokzM/s320/IMG_0845.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WTF? At the turn we are supposed to make we discover a locked gate! According to a sign posted the gate only adds 1.3 miles each way. Now we wish we had brought more beer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uukzTpZ1krw/Uh5C4xfDRPI/AAAAAAAAB_M/mDXfd-eJ0J8/s1600/IMG_0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uukzTpZ1krw/Uh5C4xfDRPI/AAAAAAAAB_M/mDXfd-eJ0J8/s320/IMG_0847.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking up the road we see the Sand Mountain lookout tower at the peak. 1.3 miles? Really?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMrvFG3GWR4/Uh5DB9LTDjI/AAAAAAAAB_k/zusCUkXHEAY/s1600/IMG_0849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMrvFG3GWR4/Uh5DB9LTDjI/AAAAAAAAB_k/zusCUkXHEAY/s320/IMG_0849.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of the road- a parking area with one car parked. I'm not joking here: Gina is pointing at a case of beer someone left at the trail head.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Boob... err, I mean Washington.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qw-yxjwu-Yc/Uh5DEjyKi9I/AAAAAAAAB_w/eU5BB6cDFNw/s1600/IMG_0853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qw-yxjwu-Yc/Uh5DEjyKi9I/AAAAAAAAB_w/eU5BB6cDFNw/s320/IMG_0853.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the deck you can see the guy who has staffed this look out for 9 seasons. His name is Blake. At first he seemed to give us a canned mini-speech about the immediate area and the tower but once we talked to him a bit he opened up. In fact, I got a little worried that he might not get to talk to many people and he might be a little over whelming. He was great though and it was interesting to find out he had just been to Ketchikan for 4 days. He said over each 10 day period he is on the mountain on average around 10 people visit in groups of 2 or 3. He also said he wasn't sure he could do the job forever as he wants to buy a house someday and it's hard when you spend 4 or 5 months a year deep in the woods.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvkrn0Yr6NE/Uh5DH8yLdxI/AAAAAAAAB_4/MKRBsMcw4Lg/s1600/IMG_0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvkrn0Yr6NE/Uh5DH8yLdxI/AAAAAAAAB_4/MKRBsMcw4Lg/s320/IMG_0854.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blake takes a group shot of some studs. Mt. Washington peaks (pun intended) out behind us.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WZk5S5h5fE/Uh5DJRqLF_I/AAAAAAAACAA/LobnzItBm4k/s1600/IMG_0855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WZk5S5h5fE/Uh5DJRqLF_I/AAAAAAAACAA/LobnzItBm4k/s320/IMG_0855.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking into the cinder cone crater and beyond!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2O30K7Gt2jM/Uh5DKZxyQTI/AAAAAAAACAI/L6oxgEAzOH4/s1600/IMG_0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2O30K7Gt2jM/Uh5DKZxyQTI/AAAAAAAACAI/L6oxgEAzOH4/s320/IMG_0856.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Fingered Jack in the distance with Hoodoo Ski Area in the close right.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0in_e4dS_tA/Uh5DPZbk6ZI/AAAAAAAACAQ/vrvoPeqDc40/s1600/IMG_0859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0in_e4dS_tA/Uh5DPZbk6ZI/AAAAAAAACAQ/vrvoPeqDc40/s320/IMG_0859.JPG" /></a></div>
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<script src="http://occipital.com/360/embed.js?pano=2sASN7&width=640&height=480"></script>
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To get a good feel for it check out this interactive 360 view! It's like you're there!
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wrOZpsEtxiE/Uh5DUNrM61I/AAAAAAAACAg/rDPl_hhhGiI/s1600/IMG_0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wrOZpsEtxiE/Uh5DUNrM61I/AAAAAAAACAg/rDPl_hhhGiI/s320/IMG_0864.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A feature I didn't realize was there is a full blown cinder cone that you can circumnavigate.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--HrQWonwiig/Uh5DSW6gk7I/AAAAAAAACAY/PB5jA5aSPNw/s1600/IMG_0865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--HrQWonwiig/Uh5DSW6gk7I/AAAAAAAACAY/PB5jA5aSPNw/s320/IMG_0865.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crater is on the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-skHjRjpodD4/Uh5DccMpnxI/AAAAAAAACAo/Dnorhe_kgQA/s1600/IMG_0867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-skHjRjpodD4/Uh5DccMpnxI/AAAAAAAACAo/Dnorhe_kgQA/s320/IMG_0867.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David and Gina off in the distance with the crater to the right. This is part of the bad boy cinder cone series that blocked a spring that formed super cool <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_Lake_(Linn_County,_Oregon)" target="_blank">Clear Lake</a> some 3000 years ago. Rad!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilco and Gina walking down the trail back to the car. Over all I would highly recommend this hike. It falls into the low effort/high reward type trail. We estimated it came in around 4 miles round trip with the gate closed. We barley worked up a sweat! We only brought one beer each though and it's more of a two beer per person hike. Great views of many of the surrounding peaks and lakes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is unrelated, but as we pulled onto Highway 20 from the road to Hoodoo we pulled in across the street right at the Santiam Pass and I got a chance to check out this old lodge type building. I had seen it many times before through the trees and was always curious about it. It's a massive building that from what I can tell by some cursory Googling of 'Old Santiam Lodge' was <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36241830@N06/6193769407/" target="_blank">leased by the United Presbyterian Church from the Forest Service until the 1960s.</a> I'm not sure if that's what it started as but it's definitely a cool old building. And scary too.</td></tr>
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The Power of Crystalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431564620985215412noreply@blogger.com0Big Lake, Oregon 97759, USA44.372003199999988 -121.8712338000000344.349303699999986 -121.91157430000003 44.394702699999989 -121.83089330000003