Hike Coordinator – Richard O’Neill
Narration by Richard O’Neill
This was an adlib hike the entire way. The original destination was Yellowjacket Loop but the road was blocked by winter debris and inaccessible. To further complicate matters, the erstwhile hike leader injured a knee so a new hike leader (Richard) and destination (North Bank Habitat) were recruited. Seems like every time Richard leads a hike, it rains and today was no exception.
Well, maybe rain is the wrong word. We weren’t pelted with fat raindrops gravity bound, but the air was decidedly liquid and artificial gills were required. With all the water swirling round, it stood to figure that Soggy Bottom would be just that, and it was. Boots were wet before long and then they were muddy as the soggy road sucked at our boots. We had two hiking veterans and two newbies and all of us were California ex-pats. Missy didn’t know what poison oak looked like and with all the ample red-leafed growth flanking the trail, she quickly learned to spot the accursed shrub. “Gosh, it’s everywhere!” she was heard to utter.
That’s why we stay on the trail, folks, and I don’t think any of us were unduly exposed to future itchiness from brushing up against the Devil’s favorite shrub. The trail climbed steadily uphill, soon leaving the forest behind for open windswept grassy slopes. Now we were unduly exposed to the elements and if we weren’t wet then, we were now. Despite the low cloud cover, the views of the creek valleys heading into the North Umpqua impressed.
Because of the weather, we “shorted” this hike too, dropping off the North Boundary Ridge into more sheltered Blacktail Basin. A good-sized landslide had taken out the trail but we safely scrambled over. 7 miles on a rainy day wasn’t bad and we all had a good time in spite of or because of the weather.
More about this hike on Richard O’Neill’s Blog
More picture on Richard O’Neill’s Flickr page
Pictures below by Richard O’Neill
