tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338Sat, 07 Sep 2024 20:57:27 +0000backpackingPCThikinghiking trailDrift CreekOregonOregon CoastThree SistersWaterfallgeargear reviewtrail conditionsAlpsBlack DiamondCascade MountainsEagle CreekFeetForestForest ServiceGSIHeadlampHiking ShoesInsolesLincoln CityMt HoodMt JeffersonOpal CreekParkingPassPeakRecreation PassSuperfeetSuspension BridgeTentThree Finger JackWildernessbootscameracookwarelookoutranger stationreviewultralightPractical information about hiking in Oregonhttp://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)Blogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-336980712417737349Fri, 22 May 2009 12:11:00 +00002009-05-22T05:11:00.172-07:00Forest Servicehikingtrail conditionsThe Detroit Ranger District is very good about posting current trail conditions on their website. You can find out the latest information here: Trail Conditions This included much of the Cascade Mountain trails in the central part of Oregonhttp://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/05/current-hiking-conditions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-3486901954396818775Wed, 20 May 2009 01:18:00 +00002009-05-19T18:18:00.515-07:00AlpsgearreviewTentI see that REI has the Alps Comet 2.0 on closeout for less then $100 so I thought a review was in order. I have had this tent for three years now and have been very happy with it. I also looked at the MSR Zoid which was about 4 times more expensive. Trust me the quality of the MSR may be marginally better, but not 4 times better. The Alps Comet will stand up to weather and wind and I have no http://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/05/alps-comet-20-tent.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-8840902969057837548Thu, 14 May 2009 19:38:00 +00002009-05-14T12:38:00.919-07:00Drift CreekEagle Creekhiking trailOpal CreekPunch Bowl Falls - Eagle CreekWell, I have yet to write my camera review in part because Oregon weather is being, well, Oregon like. As a result I haven't got outside to take pictures yet.While rain, with a few sun breaks here and there, has been the routine the last couple weeks the current forecast for the weekend is 80 degrees in the Willamette Valley and 70 degrees at the coast. Although http://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/05/hiking-options-for-early-spring.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-8289080247176966058Tue, 05 May 2009 19:25:00 +00002009-05-05T12:25:00.193-07:00cameraYesterday I received a Casio Exilim EX-Z80 via UPS. I'm still planning a review of the cameras I use, and my thoughts on current options. I find myself wondering how this casio might fare. I didn't get it for hiking but after playing around with it I think it has some potential so I plan to include it in the mix too. It is very small but seems to take very good pictures and the video can behttp://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/05/casio-exilim-zoom-ex-z80.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-6226863641175977216Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:51:00 +00002009-04-28T11:54:36.976-07:00There are so many options these days that I thought I would take a look at what are the pros and cons of various camera options going into spring. Should you go very small, SLR, cheap, expensive? And what are the trade offs?I remember when I first stared backpacking again, around 2002, that digital wasn't really an option. At least not a very affordable option. I had a decent auto focus pointhttp://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/04/what-camera-for-backpacking.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-2924531113020770810Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:25:00 +00002009-04-09T14:23:30.323-07:00lookoutMt HoodMt JeffersonThree Finger JackThree SistersOne of my favorite activities is finding a place to watch the sun set in the mountains. This is an experience unlike any you get on a day hike. The forest typically gets very calm, wildlife may appear for a final snack and drink of water. Things just generally slow down and I find it to be very peaceful.Unfortunately backpacking into a camp and setting up for a night on the ground with no http://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/04/gold-butte-lookout-rental.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-3305527732380114960Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:40:00 +00002009-03-12T13:40:00.416-07:00Oregon CoastParkingPassRecreation PassIt's time to start thinking about spring and summer. In case you don't already know many federal lands require parking passes for your car or motorcycle. In most cases you can purchase a day-pass for $5 at the trailhead parking lots. However if your are planning to visit more then six trails this year it would make sense to buy the $30 annual pass. If you are going to be visiting the Oregon http://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/03/recreation-passes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-948618835253634894Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:47:00 +00002009-03-08T23:20:36.460-07:00backpackingPCTI've backpacked somewhere in the neighborhood of 160 miles of the Oregon portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. At one time I had thoughts of hiking a section a year with the goal of covering all 2,650 miles. I doubt that will happen now though as I suffered an accident that resulted in five broken bones and a dislocated ankle. After 6 hours of surgery, 1+ years of rehab and healing I'm confidenthttp://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/03/pacific-crest-hikers-journal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-1463699221158822614Sun, 08 Mar 2009 21:06:00 +00002009-03-08T21:43:17.586-07:00Black Diamondgear reviewHeadlampI'm a gadget guy. I admit it. Finding the lightest, strongest, brightest is not that hard. But that is not what interests me. I'm always looking for items that give you the best bang for the buck. Why spend three times as much for a product that might only be 5% lighter then the less expensive solution? I like most all of my gear. I have a down bag, a relatively light Gregory backpack, A http://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/03/black-diamond-spot-led-headlamp.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-5601953702040150376Sun, 08 Mar 2009 06:32:00 +00002009-03-08T14:05:58.124-07:00bootsFeetHiking ShoesInsolesSuperfeetI love Superfeet Insoles and wouldn't be caught without them. I have 'difficult' feet and have battled sore feet all my life when hiking. I've tried the cushy sorbathane insoles, and pretty much everything else out there. Finally I bought a pair of these out of desperation. They cost more and look like the flimsiest things. They don't even appear to have any cushioning. Prepared for http://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/03/superfeet-insoles_6415.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-8004189752488997664Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:24:00 +00002009-05-14T10:03:58.067-07:00Drift CreekForesthiking trailLincoln CityOregonOregon CoastSuspension BridgeWaterfallWhile my daughter was home after graduating from Marine Boot Camp we decided to take a day trip to the coast and work in a hike along the way. As my ankle was still recovering from surgery it seemed like a good hike as it is only a 3 mile round trip with a couple hundred feet of elevation change.If you are traveling up the Oregon Coast Hwy 101 and want a beautiful mountain hike to compliment http://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2008/08/drift-creek-fall-trail.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-3009438220621761193Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:54:00 +00002009-03-09T12:09:12.532-07:00hiking trailWell it is now July 24 and things are still not looking too good. The Detroit Ranger District is reporting significant snow at 5,000' and higher. I was hoping to make my first hike to Triangulation Peak. It is a nice hike of a couple miles with a great view. It is especially good for those who don't have a lot of hiking experience or are not up for a7-10 mile hike to Jefferson Park. http://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2008/07/trails-still-covered-in-snow.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-7066041366299355421Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:47:00 +00002009-03-09T12:09:52.377-07:00backpackinghikingPCTranger stationtrail conditionsJuly 3, 2008 - Well, I thought I was ready to give my ankle a test with a short hike to Triangulation Peak. Unfortunately in early July everything above 4,000' in elevation still has large amounts of snow. So it could be late July or even August before many of the trails in the Mt. Jefferson area open up.The Detroit Ranger District is very good about posting current trail conditions on their http://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2008/07/favorite-trails-still-deep-in-snow.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-6875009699391168572Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:21:00 +00002008-03-14T14:30:59.173-07:00Not sure what 2008 holds for me. In November of last year I ran out the front door with my dog on leash. Unfortunately there was ice on the driveway and by the time I realized it, it was too late. I fell on my back and somehow managed to dislocate and break my ankle in 5 places.It is now March and While I can walk again it is a long process of rehabilitation. I take it one day at a time and http://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2008/03/2008-hikes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-480230787239801087Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:01:00 +00002007-07-23T17:25:24.531-07:00Back from the 3-day, 2-night trip and it was fantastic. This has to be the most varied and beautiful area I have ever visited. The only other area that I've been to that can compare is the Eagle Cap Wilderness in NE Oregon. But for what you get in a mere 17 miles of trail I'll take the Obsidian/PCT/Scott Trail combination.This is a restricted use area so you have to apply for a permit to enterhttp://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2007/07/three-sisters-wilderness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-8755430296466406886Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:18:00 +00002009-03-07T22:03:54.895-08:00Cascade MountainsPCTThree SistersWaterfallWildernessI'll be heading out to the Three Sisters Wilderness for a couple of nights later this week. First trip to this wilderness and I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully I'll figure out how to get some photos up and post some information that I hope will be useful to others planning a trip to the same area.http://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2007/07/first-trip-of-year.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-995086193259290754Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:19:00 +00002009-03-08T14:39:13.798-07:00backpackingcookwaregear reviewGSIPeakultralightIf are looking to cut weight and space in your pack I would highly recommend the efficient cook set from GSI. This double boiler is so versatile and efficient since it nests, is light and holds both my fuel canister and MSR Pocket Rocket Stove inside it. The kit is made of anodized aluminum which is strong and light. For $29 it is much more cost effective then titanium and practically speakinghttp://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2007/07/gsi-double-boiler.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999510379402370338.post-8148061966349142452Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:59:00 +00002009-05-19T15:23:18.526-07:00backpackinggearhikingOregonThe purpose of this blog is to share the information I've gathered from hiking and backpacking in Oregon. In the past I have been frustrated by the lack of practical information about specific hiking and backpacking trips.I started backpacking in the early 70's as a teen and picked it up again in the early 90's as a family activity. While most of my trips are two nighters I have done several http://backpackingoregon.blogspot.com/2007/07/hiking-in-oregon-introduction.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Native Oregon Hiker)0