So clean and bright, everything is just right there! 4.5/5 stars.
This week, we hiked Boy Scout Ridge on Mt. Hood (aka White River Trail) out of the White River West Sno-Park. We were, again, prepared to go snowshoeing. Again, the cycles of freezing and thawing, along with regular foot traffic, left the trail hard packed. Fortunately, both my friend and I had invested in traction devices after the last adventure and had no difficulties climbing the slope this go around!
The trailhead is situated on a massive parking lot. When we arrived, there were about a dozen other cars all parked around the edge of the lot. It looked empty. We suited up and grabbed our snowshoes, climbing our way to the trail sign over the berm left by plowing the lot. By the time we made it 100 feet, it was apparent we should head back to the car and ditch the shoes. Not only was the trail packed hard, but anywhere we stepped off the trail easily held our combined weight. Boots seemed the order of the day. The first half-mile of the trail was wide and showed signs of heavy traffic, unsurprising since this portion is one of the most popular sledding destinations on the mountain. We only saw two families, both with children under ten, but there was evidence everywhere of what the weekend (and later in the day) might bring. Fortunately for us, we quickly left the signs of chaos behind as we continued climbing the gentle river valley.
It was unlike any mountain hike I’ve previously done. The slope was visible to the naked eye, but never taxing. The trail disappeared and sprouted curving whiskers constantly, as hikers, snowshoers, and nordic skiers blazed their own routes up the ridge. It didn’t matter, though. We kept the mountain peak in front of us, the higher ridge with its steep sides to our left, and the increasing steeper drop down to the river on our right. Other than that, it was just a matter of avoiding the tree wells created by the sparsely spaced Douglas firs, an easy-enough task. We ambled slowly upward, taking the time to enjoy our wide-open surroundings and the crystal clear sky. The sun was bright and warm at our backs, and we had to shed layers several times before finishing our first mile. At about that point, I think we both realize simultaneously that we hadn’t packed (or applied) sunscreen. A wide open sky and bright snow all around us was definitely a recipe for sunburn, especially on my fair skin. What could we do now, though? Nothing for it but to keep moving.
One of my favorite parts about being out in the snow is the silence. Snow seems to create a hushed blanket over everything it covers, gently lulling any sound into its cold embrace. We must have picked the perfect time to arrive, because we only saw one group coming down and no one caught us up until we stopped. The rest of the hike, we could have been the only two living things on the mountainside. These are the moments that I live for, and why I love hiking. In a busy and increasingly connected world, having a moment to feel truly alone is such a blessing.
The first destination of the hike was an expansive overlook. It perched above the river, affording a view back down the valley and nearly unobstructed up to the mountain peak. On a clear day like that, I felt that we could have seen straight into the arid eastern half of the state. The next destination would prove to be much more difficult.
Check back tomorrow to read about the rest of the adventure!
A Beer a Day 
2 Comments