Seeing the Best of Oregon

So in preparation for the fact that Matt and I are about to leave Oregon in 3 weeks and leave the country in about 6 weeks, we have spent a great deal of the summer trying to see some of the beautiful places that Oregon has to offer. Despite us both being very excited to be moving to France I think we will both miss Oregon and her mountains, forests and crystal clear streams dearly.

There are just too many amazing places to include them all here, but the three most scenic hikes I’ve been on this summer were to Iron Mountain/Cone Peak in the South Santiam River area, Lookout Mountain on the east side of Mt. Hood, and the South Breitenbush trail to Jefferson Park… one of 3 ways into Mt. Jefferson. They are all worth going to and had amazing flowers and views.

So in preparation for the fact that Matt and I are about to leave Oregon in 3 weeks and leave the country in about 6 weeks, we have spent a great deal of the summer trying to see some of the beautiful places that Oregon has to offer. Despite us both being very excited to be moving to France I think we will both miss Oregon and her mountains, forests and crystal clear streams dearly.

There are just too many amazing places to include them all here, but the three most scenic hikes I’ve been on this summer were to Iron Mountain/Cone Peak in the South Santiam River area, Lookout Mountain on the east side of Mt. Hood, and the South Breitenbush trail to Jefferson Park… one of 3 ways into Mt. Jefferson. They are all worth going to and had amazing flowers and views.

Iron Mountain/Cone Peak Loop
This was the perfect little hike. Around 7 miles through amazing wildflower meadows and forests, up to an old lookout tower, with a view of the Three Sisters, Jefferson and Hood.




We saw these little while flowers, dogwood and tigerlillies on the way up.






Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountian was an 8 mile hike, to the east of Mt. Hood, with amazing views of Mt. Hood. This hike had some steep sections, but the view at the top was definetely worth it.






On the drive back from the hike we saw two amazing sites from the side of the road. First a few avalanche lilies, which pop up right after the snow disappears. I had been looking for these guys all season long and was very happy to find them. We also saw a view of Mt. Hood that was almost dumbfounding. Clouds were rolling over Mt. Hood in a way that made it look as if were erupting. It was beautiful, but quite creepy. I'm glad it didn't really erupt.






Jefferson Park via South Breitenbush Trail
Well I definitely saved the best for last. Ever since Matt took me up to Mt. Jefferson last October and it was so foggy we couldn't see the mountain that was 5 miles away from us (Argh!) we have both been planning to go back. It's Matt's favorite mountain and he spent a lot of time hiking around it as a kid, so he knows that area better than almost any other in Oregon. I have to say I was a bit skeptical about a 13 miles hike with around 3000 feet of elevation gain, but I knew the views and the wildflowers (my true motivation would be worth it). We left the trailhead around 7:30 a.m. and hiked steadily for several hours. We got our first view of Jefferson, somewhere around 10 a.m. and reached the gorgeous wildflower meadows of Jefferson Park by noon. The flowers around the South Breitenbush river were some of the best I have ever seen. The area was awash with lupine, pink monkeyflower, red and pink paintbrush and so many other kinds of flowers. The pictures say it all....












he next day we were very tired, but having the opportunity to see Mt. Jefferson up close was well worth it. It's a beautiful mountain and I was glad I was able to see it before leaving Oregon. Just three more weekends left to see Oregon and then its off to California, Illinois and France. Hopefully we can fit in a few more hikes before we go.