Hike Coordinator: Brad Bishop
Narration by Brad Bishop
This hike was meant to be a lovely jaunt along the Oregon Coast at the funky little seaside town of Bandon. Much to my dismay a couple of weeks before the hike date I was informed that not only was there going to be a high tied that day, but it would be a King Tied. Due to the shortage of rescue swimmers in our club I decided the new title for the hike would then be ‘Swept By The Tidal Wave To the North Bank Habitat”.
Only Four of us this time out; The Prez, The Legend, The Tree Spirit and yours truly. This did not surprise me as this was the weekend of giving thanks and a lot of members were probably recovering from Tryptophanosis. (As a public health suggestion, Friends of The Umpqua Hiking Club would like to say try not to overindulge, but if you do hiking is a good way to counteract the negative effects) It was good hiking weather, Mid to upper 50s and though it had rained the night before the trails were firm and there was no threat of a shower.
As we arrived at the West Entrance, two K9’s playfully attacked my truck, probably recognized me from a previous life, no doubt I probably owed them money. Once the maps were passed out, I explained the route. We would start from the parking lot and proceed to the Oregon North Bank Habitat Chasm Creek Trail, which I prefer to call the OR. Chasm Trail. From there we would hook up with Middle Ridge Trail and continue onto Bucktail Ridge making a nice little six-mile loop. The Legend stated that the last part of the OR. Chasm Trail was an ass-kicker. Now, I respect the opinion of The Legend as he has hiked hundreds if not thousands of Umpqua Miles, but I figured maybe he was just suffering lingering effects from Tryptophanosis. Besides, it was only a couple of inches on the map.
Off we took on our adventure at a refreshing lively pace past shedding fall leaves and non-diversity practicing cattle. Taking a right turn on to the OR. Chasm Trail things were going extremely well. The trail was firm, our pace upbeat we were frolicking along. May I even say we were having a gay old time.
Then things got serious. The OR. Chasm Trail had started its upward climb. Time to start taking off clothes. Heart beating faster. Breathing deeper. Getting lost in the aura of what nature had to offer on our quest to the climax of this unexpected physical climb. Small breaks along the way to catch our breath then continuing on. We were almost to the top. Holding on just a little longer. And then… We made it!
We all had a cigarette and a snack at the picnic table. Just kidding about the cigarette. (As a public health suggestion, Friends of The Umpqua Hiking Club does not condone inhaling smoldering vegetation. Unless of course it is fire season) But I digress, and we did digress down The Middle Ridge into the cool, light grey atomized mist. It was a fairly uneventful decent except for the UFO landing site. We did meet a few bipedal creatures, but no sign of aliens.
We arrived at the parking lot about 11:30. Guess you could say it was a quickie.
Pictures below by Rheo Wheeler and Brad Bishop
