Eagle Creek Trail

Nobody wants to drive four and a half hours to hike a two mile trail, no matter how cool it is. This is why I had to research what other good hikes there are at the Columbia River Gorge, because Beacon Rock was just not going to be enough. (our previous day's hike, and the post before this one) There are no shortage of options for sure, but according to most "Eagle Creek Trail" is the place to go.

Almost there!

The Gorge Trail went right behind our campsite.
It wasn't quite as picturesque, unless you are into
the concentration camp look. 

Once I started looking into it, I was surprised I had never heard of this hike before, considering it sounded like just about the best hike ever. I suppose it's because I always include the word "Washington" in my searches, and this hike is in Oregon. (just barely; it's right across the river)

Well, darn...there goes that idea.

It's only 15 minutes from Beacon Rock, so it was the perfect choice. Plus it had a campground. I was anxious to backpack again; but having a campground with bathrooms and water you get from a spout was just too tempting.

A great place to camp...just be prepared to listen
to the hwy and train all night.

Although, if we were going to car camp, we had to do 12 miles in one day; because you can't do this hike and not go to Tunnel Falls. Really...how often are you going to get to hike behind a waterfall? I realize many hikers can do this many miles, (and much more!) but I have to acknowledge it's a stretch for me. At least we didn't have to carry our full packs, so I knew that would help make it more doable.

Once we finally arrived, I couldn't believe we had the entire campground to ourselves. This was an 80 degree day in May! Getting a campsite meant we didn't need the Northwest Forest Pass to park, which was a good thing because I left mine at home. (along with my Discover Pass that we needed at Beacon Rock...sheesh)

In the morning we parked at the obvious lot just down from the campground and started walking to the trailhead. (An extra half mile. That, plus the quarter mile to and from Punch Bowl falls pushed the total mileage to 13.5) We didn't realize there was another parking lot at the trailhead, but it was pretty full so it didn't matter.

This hike is everything everyone says it is and more. There is no way pictures can do it justice. One reason we decided not to backpack was I thought our only option to stop would be the camp that is 7.5 miles in, (called "seven and a half mile camp"...so creative) but we passed many other awesome looking sites along the creek.

One of our favorites. Awesome rock bench, right?

When Debbie rounded the corner and saw Tunnel Falls, she turned around and gave me a jaw to the ground expression. No pictures had given us any perspective of just how massive these falls are, but we really tried to capture it as best we could.

Do you see little me?

When it was time to leave (it took us about 5 hours to get there, which is ridiculous I know. There is just so much gawking and photo ops; this is not a hike to be done quickly) we decided Debbie would go ahead and I would catch up. She had need to get to a place where she could safely venture off trail (we won't go into detail) and she is just SO much faster. I understood the situation to be, "I need to stop at the first place I can and then I will wait for you". So after 15 minutes or so of hiking at my much slower gait I reached a place where someone could do whatever business they needed to do. But there was no Debbie.

The tunnel behind the falls

Anyone who knows me knows I tend to reach panic state quite quickly. I'm really working on this. I thought it was very strange she wasn't there, but decided I'd just keep going until I came to the next logical spot. (looking at the pictures you can see your options for going "off trail" are few) Next spot, still no Debbie. Don't panic...just keep going. Next spot. No Debbie. How can this be?

I'm not going to go into all my mind games. I'll just say that after hiking for 45 minutes and not finding Debbie, I had decided the only answer was she fell off a cliff. You can laugh, and I understand...but look at this picture of her taking a selfie and tell me I was being unreasonable.

I had just caught up to a couple of guys and was asking them to quickly run ahead and call 911 (I recall the phrase "you need to calm down" coming up) when I realized Debbie was just ahead waiting for me. "I've been sitting here a half an hour!" she tells me with exasperation. I wanted to strangle her and hug her at the same time. I didn't scream, "What the hell were you thinking!" like I did to my kid on the Boulder River hike, but I did let her know how very confused I was that she would be so far down the trail. "No...I said I would go ahead UNTIL I needed to stop" she argued. Communication is a bitch. But she was alive; and I was really, REALLY glad about that.

Debbie tempting fate again. Okay,
I made her pose.

I'm afraid I over celebrated a bit that night. Can you blame me? My friend was dead and now she was alive. I was a happy camper!

When we left the next morning (a Saturday) the first lot was overflowing to the point of people parking up the road towards the campground. We both thought it would have been really horrible trying to hike out of there with big ol' packs while the hordes were flooding in. (the trail does not allow for much traffic at the same time; some of those ledges are mighty thin!) Thankfully most of the groups we talked to the day before were planning on backpacking several days, but everyone else was going to have a very long day. (did I mention it was raining? SO glad we were out of there!)

Holy drippyness! This is a very moist hike
even on a nice day

It's been awhile since I've given some lessons learned, but I have several this time:
#34) Car camping can be a GREAT option. Don't feel you need to backpack if you don't have to.
#35) Even though everyone knows you shouldn't separate, the fact is sometimes you will. (poor Debbie says it actually hurts her legs to go as slow as me!) Just make sure you have a very clear understanding of where you will meet, or how often the faster hiker will stop to wait, and how long they will wait before they come looking for you.
#36) If you are using a "You Go Girl" to pee (I finally bought a new one; this one's pink!) you need to take wind direction into consideration. (I'm sure any boy would say "duh!", but this education is new to us girls)

And lastly, not really a hiking lesson, but very important nonetheless:
#37) Don't wait until you think someone is dead before you appreciate just how much you love them.

Cheryl Strayed, Beacon Rock, and the Bridge of the Gods

So I was chatting with my bestie Cheryl Strayed on Facebook the other day...

Okay, not really. But sort of! For anyone who doesn't know, Cheryl is the author of the best selling book,"Wild". I had several people who knew that I was into hiking tell me to read the book, so I finally did and fell in love. Cheryl is the kind of writer that makes you feel like you know the deepest part of her, so it's hard not to feel like she's your friend; even though clearly she is not.

Nonetheless, I friended her on Facebook.Yes, I understand that it's her public page, and she's "friends" with anyone who clicks the button...but a girl can pretend a little, can't she? It's not like I'm sketching her portrait or sewing her a quilt; (honestly, some fans do that kind of stuff!) I just post things on her wall occasionally with a little hope that maybe she will read it and think, "Oh...that Kelly! She sure would be fun to hike with sometime."

Me and Debbie...my not pretend friend

So imagine my delight when she actually responded! I'm a little afraid to admit to this part, because I really am going to look like an obsessed fan, but I asked her a question about where she ate some ice cream. I know that sounds weird, but let me explain. In the book, Cheryl ends her trek on the Pacific Crest Trail at the "Bridge of the Gods" (every time I read that, I hear it in a James Earl Jones' voice) where she treats herself to some ice cream at a little drive in.Then she sweetly ends the book with her taking her kids there (years later, as she was only 26 during her hike) and reminiscing with them about her adventure.

Driving on the Pacific Crest Trail

I knew I would be crossing the "Bridge of the Gods" (you heard it in his voice this time, didn't you?) to get to my first overnight hike of the year...why not have some ice cream in Cheryl's honor? Only problem, no where could I find the name of the place she got the ice cream at. Don't these people understand marketing?! I mean, the town of Forks gets it; and even though it's annoying to see "Twilight" signs in every shop window, you know they are damn thankful for every tourist dollar. (Yes, I've been to Forks; and no, it wasn't because I needed to see Bella's hometown. It was because I was lost, as usual)

And so I asked Cheryl where she got the ice cream and she told me. Whew, that was a lot of writing that has nothing to do with hiking. Sorry, but I had to brag about being Cheryl's new BFF.

Ta da!!!

Anyway, I've had my eye on Beacon Rock for some time. My dilemma was the almost 5 hour drive for a piddly 2 mile traipse. I knew I needed a bigger plan if I was going to go there.

At the top. What a view!
Plus I have such a nice, sweaty glow!

I think I'll save the story of the "big plan" for next post; for now, the trip report for Beacon Rock is pretty simple. You go up, then you go down. If the rock is still in the sun and it's almost 90 degree weather (Happy May Day to us! It had to be record) you will drip a lot. Oh, and don't forget your Discover Pass! Both Debbie and I bought one this year, and neither one of us remembered to bring it. It hurts to spend $60 and still end up paying $10 to park.

A little shade on the way down

And now it's time for me to post a link to my blog on Cheryl's page and ask her if she wants to get pedi's next weekend. Oh, and start on the painting of her cat. She's going to love it!

The caution signs were unnerving, but the closed sign had us really confused
until we realized it was for climbers, not hikers!

Solving the Mystery of Protection Island

Hello. My name is Kelly, and I am a Groupon addict. For those of you who don't know what Groupon is, it's one of those websites that offers discounts on all kinds of things. (similar to "Living Social"; which I'm also addicted to) Although, I don't buy all kinds of things; I buy one kind of thing...getaways.

Quinault Beach Resort and Casino

Obviously I'm a sucker for a bargain; which I blame on my mother. We used to tease that the "I bought a piston engine" Monty Python skit was written with her in mind. (the joke being that of course unless one has a use for a piston engine, it's not such a good buy) Except the great thing about buying getaways is that I absolutely always use them. And the fact I get such good deals; well, that lessens the guilt about spending money on such frivolousness.

Checked in just in time to go and watch the sunset

You may be asking what does all this have to do with hiking? Well, it's winter; which means limited hiking options. Some of the best opportunities this time of year are beach hikes--which I've exhausted most in my area. So when I saw an amazing, can't pass it up deal for a night at the Quinault Beach Resort in Ocean Shores, I knew Damon Point would be my next hiking adventure.

I didn't read much about the Damon Point hike. I saw pictures of snowy owls, and something about them being there in January, and I was sold. I HAD to see the owls. I invited my friend Jewell to come along. We did a hike together a couple years ago and an owl swooped down right in front of us; so I figured she must be some sort of owl whisperer. Plus we didn't get to do even one hike together last year; so we were due. 

People playing in the water kept us entertained

Can you say "burrrr!!!!"

Even though I didn't read much about the hike, I printed out the description off of the WTA website to make up for the fact I had no sort of map whatsoever. You go around a point...I mean, how simple can you get.

Just a little windy

After we found the obvious parking area, we decided to read about how to go about doing this hike. Head east to Protection Island, across a narrow spit that connects the mainland to your destination. First of all, I have to confess I didn't know which way was east. Secondly, what exactly is a "spit" again? And thirdly, what the hell are they talking about an island for? We were both thoroughly confused.

So, we just started walking. East or not, we could see what looked like a point, so it seemed logical to head to the end of it. Neither of us could imagine any sort of "island", and we kept telling each other it would all make sense eventually. 

Accommodations at the end of the point.
I can get you a good deal.

We continued to read our "directions". After crossing the spit you have some choices: hike around the point along the beach or head down the old road to the point.This was even more baffling. Road? What the heck? We finally ran into some locals who filled us in. They told us if we ventured into the "brush" (the area between the beaches) we would run into this road , complete with road stripes and all. Okay...why not. We wanted to see this no longer functioning road to nowhere. (well, the directions said it used to go to "Protection Island"...whatever that was)

Lunch break

After wandering through the brush for a while, Jewell announces she needed pee. I told her to go for it; I mean, I was doubting we would ever find this stupid road and there was not a soul in sight. Why does it never fail that as soon as you squat, someone shows up? Two people walking on the just out of sight road...if only I still had my she-pee for Jewell to borrow, it wouldn't have been a big deal. (it fell out of my pack on my Buck Creek Pass loop hike. Yes, the same hike I lost my tent poles. Even though I was happy to get my poles returned, if you found my she-pee, consider it a gift. ;))

If we would have gone east and hiked the loop clockwise,
maybe we would have found the road straightaway.
(see it to the right?)

We walked on the road back until suddenly it was no more. We finished up the hike on the sand; and still pondering what this island that never materialized was, we came back to the access point to the beach (which was paved) when Jewell had an "Aha!" moment. "This is the road to the island. The point used to be the island, until the 'spit' grew and connected the two and destroyed the road." And sure enough, look what we found when we got to our car and looked at the road sign. Mystery solved. 

In case you didn't already guess, the owls never showed. I won't lie, I was pretty bummed. But, this is a hike I would consider doing again...if I can find a deal at one of the cute cottages right on the beach. No falling off the Groupon wagon just yet.

P.S. We threw in the "Sandpiper Trail" at Gray's Harbor Wildlife Refuge for good measure. I would recommend stopping if you have the time.

Hiking with Katy

My daughter's ex-girlfriend called me the other day to ask if I wanted to go hiking with her. That's right, "ex"...as in used to date. Being a religious family, getting past the gay issue has been quite a journey; but I'm thankful for it. Extremely thankful, actually; because being the mother of a gay child has changed me in ways I never thought possible. It's made me a better person, I hope. The people that I've met and the stories I have heard are a big part of that; including Katy.

Katy was "Kayden" when we first met. I haven't asked her why she changed back to her birth name, but I like to think it's because she is more at peace with who she has always been. It seems that way, anyway. Regardless of her reasons, I have certainly seen her grow and mature as a human being, and it's been wonderful to watch. I can only hope I've helped her a little on the way.

Lexi was not a fan of crossing the bridges!

So, back to the hike. When I picked her up, she had on a day pack that looked like a 10 year old's school backpack. (sorry Katy, but you know it's true) I had just run into her at REI buying her first real backpack the week prior, so I was confused. "It's too big for a day hike", she told me. When she confessed she was so excited about it being on sale (a girl after my own heart!) that she didn't even put the weights in it and try it out when she bought it, I convinced her she needed to load it up and test it out. Better to know if she hated it now than when she was out on a backpacking trip, right?

On the way I stopped at the Mt. Baker National Forest office to buy my annual Northwest Forest Pass, because when I was there last time I was so confused as to why they didn't sell the "Discover Pass" that I left without getting one. Too bad they are closed on weekends...when everybody is out hiking. Not that I'm whining about it or anything. ;)

Thankfully Katy had her own NW Forest Pass, so we were off to do part of Baker Lake's East Bank trail. This trail has both a northern and southern trail head; and even though it's less of a drive to the southern one, I really wanted to check out the northern end. Someday I plan on doing the whole thing as a two day group backpack, with a car at each end. (why backtrack when you don't have to?)

The lake was pretty darn low

I was hoping to check out Noisy Creek campground at 4.5 miles in, but we pooped out before we got there. (ugh, I hate not knowing how close we were...I bet it was less than a mile) Though, this day was really not about a destination or clocking in miles; it was about walking and talking. I just love the effortless of conversation when your hiking with someone; though I guess on some trails I have to think more about just trying to keep moving than talking--but this is not one of those trails.

Look at poor Lexi. She just wants off.

This bridge she can handle!

Katy was telling me about her desire to volunteer to help at risk kids, and how neat it would be to be involved in a program involving the outdoors. (nature has a way of healing the soul; I think this is true) I told her about running into two different groups while on different backpacking trips who were doing just that, when wouldn't you know it, we ran into another one. It looked like a boy scout group, and they had quite a lot of kids all set up with their tents when we got back to the parking lot. God bless them.

Profile pic worthy, I think

I believe Katy will find her niche and be a real blessing to people who are hurting; her own pain has given her such real compassion. I hope also to find my own place to help; in fact, I think I may already have. I'm giving a link to an article by a very courageous woman who has inspired me to try once again to start a support group for those who are struggling with faith and their sexuality, or that of a loved one. Get a tissue if your going to read it:
http://justbecausehebreathes.com/
(don't know why I can't get that to work. You'll have to cut and paste, sorry!)
 
Whatever difficulties we have been through in life, the beautiful thing is it gives us opportunity to connect and help others who are struggling through the same thing. I haven't worked out the specifics yet, but if there is anyone out there who would be interested in a group like this, just email me at kelly_beane@yahoo.com

A view of the suspension bridge from the river.
It's not difficult to get down to the water.

Nothin like the smell of wet dog for the whole ride home