Fall Colors at Herman Creek

With all the recent rain, I was getting antsy to be outside without rain gear ... so when the forecast said less than a tenth of an inch for Cascade Locks for today I grabbed my gear and headed out.

Some might say the drive is too far for a casual six-miler, but this time of year the leaves are alive with color all along the gorge. All the rain we've had this past week created quite a waterfall display as well. The parking lot was full, but the trail was empty of people and full of fall mystique.

Oh, The Places You'll Go

The last two years have been amazing hiking and snowshoeing years for me ... more miles traveled than ever before, more remote locations explored, my confidence expanded, and yet so more to explore. Yep, that was a nod to the alliteration of Dr. Seuss and the book "Oh, the Places You'll Go". If you think that book is just for kids, you may want to browse a copy sometime soon at your local bookstore. Or just watch this video from Burning Man.

Burning Man 2011 by Tedshots

While I enjoy the company of others, especially my guy Charles and the amazing Cascadia Women's Mountain Group, my inner voice is screaming for solo time on the trail.

So in 2013, I plan to do mostly solo hiking and exploring. When the mood hits me, I'll post some simple entries here to compliment my PCT Trail Angel hikes.

May our paths cross and we share a short conversation ... but then let's part company and move along the trail as mostly solo hikers.

Someday I'll Hike The PCT

Someday I'll hike the PCT, during the summer of 2012 I was content with being an on-the-trail Trail Angel between Wapinita Pass near Mt Hood and Harts Pass just 30 miles south of the Canadian Border.


During the summer of 2011 I followed the blog of Portland hiker Erin Wired Saver as she made her way from Mexico to Canada during one of the highest snowfall years in recent history. Over the course of eight weeks I met more than 60 thru-hikers and hiked more than 200 miles on or near the PCT. And, I earned my PCT trail name.

My often unexpected appearance at a trail head handing out snacks and drinks, camped out and making coffee for early birds heading past my campsite, and/or a chance meeting on the trail with apples and snacks in my backpack earned me the trail name "Where's Chris?"

During the summer of 2013, I hope to hike more than 200 of the PCT in Oregon and Washington as a Trail Angel. If you are hiking the PCT in 2013, I hope our paths will cross ... multiple times.