Hike Coordinator: Missy Kroeker
Narration by Missy Kroeker
Several days prior to our scheduled hike, much discussion ensued regarding fire, smoke and heat, and should we change our hike location. After some texts and phone conversations a last minute decision was made to hike Humbug Mountain near Port Orford instead of our originally planned hike to Rocky Ridge. It turned out to be good decision. Thanks to everyone involved!
The drive to the coast can be a bit daunting, however once we got there, the sky was clear, blue and visibility was great. Just what we had hoped. The point of hiking a “mountain” is the reward of a view at the top. We were not disappointed! One could see for several miles to the south, west and north.
This trail is a very well developed and marked “lollipop” type loop. Ferns, big mossy trees and flowers line the trail. Maidenhair fern, Inside-out flowers and ghost plants (Indian Pipes)? ( Richard? Diane?) were amongst the cast of flora trailside. With the big trees the trail is quite shaded, which was a delicious change to the heat we had been experiencing at home. Our group chose to go up the east side and down the west. According to a trail review this way is longer uphill but less of an incline. Even with that our “older” group, although there were a couple youngsters, (Donna and Scott) we arrived at the top significantly before a much younger group of hikers that started at the same time. What enthusiastic hikers we are!
We enjoyed our lunch at the top. We finally tore ourselves away from the warmth of the sun, good food and fellowship and the spectacular views to head down the west trail. We didn’t have to say good-bye to the beautiful ocean view all at once because it kept peeking out between trees as we descended. I think everyone truly enjoyed themselves on this refreshing hike especially not having to think about fire, smoke or heat.
Picture below by Missy Kroeker and Coreena Gosselin
