7th Annual Boys Fall Camping - Yocum Ridge - Mt Hood (2020)

I had read about a great overnight backpack on an area on the west side of Mt. Hood (highest Mt in Oregon) called Yocum Ridge. It was an 18 mile up and back hike that takes you up high almost to the tree line. 

We invited our friends the Swansons to come with us and we decided to make a go at it! 

It was a long hike up that ended up being longer than planned due to getting off on the wrong trail briefly which added a couple miles perhaps to the first day. We reached the lower meadow camp spots as the sun was getting close to going down. Everyone was tired so we found a good spot to camp for the night. 

After a filling dinner we were greeted with a mostly full moon as we got ready to sleep. As can sometimes be the case in the mountains it went from clear to cloudy with rain overnight and we awoke to thick fog and wetness everywhere - classic pacific north west conditions for the walk down. However by the time we were back down near the trailhead the weather had almost totally cleared up - big difference in a few hours and several thousand feet of altitude change.


Previous years:


Annual August camping trip (2020)

For many years we have been doing an annual August family camp trip before heading back to school. This year we went for 4 days to Paulina lake from August 20-24. August 20 is of course Abbie’s birthday so we celebrated both at home and in camp the first night.  And we always go get abbie a free birthday drink at Dutch bros coffee. 

Friday was a mixed bag of weather. Lots of clouds and a little cool. Our friends the Bercots were camping for 3 nights so we decided to go to the hot springs on the north side of the lake. 

Saturday was probably our best weather day. Calm, no wind so a great day for being on the lake. Normally it gets choppy in the afternoon but it was as smooth as glass most of the day. We even tried to get holly on the paddle board. She put up with it for a while before jumping in and swimming to shore. 

Sunday was also good other than some smoke that started to roll in from Oregon fires. Not enough to smell it which was great be it put a haze in the air. Our friends the Christoff’s came up for a few hours in the afternoon with their kids. 

Middle Sister (10,056)

Hunter, Noah and I hiked Middle Sister today. We did the renfrew glacier route. Middle sister is 10,056 ft in elevation. The route we did gains a little under 5500 ft of elevation and we hiked about 18 miles. It took us a little under 6 hours to summit and a little over 4 to come down Car to car it was about 11 hours. Very long and tiring day but great experience for the boys. Route finding, snow climbing and rock near the top. 

To get an early start we camped at the trailhead the night prior.

The hike up went through some amazing countryside before getting on the snow  

Summit!

A few additional photos from the trip down.

Montana 2020: A hike to Lava Lake

We were looking to find a hike that all boys could do from youngest to oldest. We decided to try a 3 mile hike to a place called Lava lake Just north of Big Sky. While only 3 miles (each way) it was uphill so by no means a walk in the park. Everyone made it, and it had to be one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever been to - the ascetic beauty and great for a dip!

The hike up:

The lake:

Montana 2020: Big Sky

Today we spent the day in and around Big Sky.   We got some amazing views from the chairlifts and hiking around the tops of the runs.

In the afternoon, we hiked at an area called Ousel falls near town. 

Montana 2020: A Day in Yellowstone

During our trip to Montana, we did a day trip to explore Yellowstone. 

Buffalo were there of course!

We explored geysers and hot pools

And of course - Old faithful!  More impressive than the spouting water - the consistency that creates its name  

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

And various other pretty vistas