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Season 6, Camping #3, Hike #17, Kayak #2 - Clear Lake

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 Season 6, Camping #3, Hike #17, Kayak #2 - Clear Lake  Starting Location: Coldwater Cove Campground Point of Interest : Clear Lake, 3 Sisters, forest Distance: 5 mile loop around lake (Trail Map) Difficulty: moderate. Not much elevation, but parts of the trail go over lava rock and is uneven. Bathrooms: Yes, at campground and resort Parking : yes, at boatramp and resort EV Chargers : No Rentals: Yes, at Resort, not at campground Dogs: Yes, on leash (but maybe not always?) Coldwater Cove is the only campground on Clear Lake, so you need reservations early. It's a nice campground, with lots of room, and easy access to the lake. There is water, but only with 2 hand pumps. We were lucky enough to be camping right next to this one (spot #12!). We were able to have a fire while we were there, but you can only but wood at the Resort about a mile away. You can also stay at the resort as an option. We went with a mid morning hike first. The campground is on the East side of the lake,...
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Season 6 - Kayak #1 - Willamette River at Buena Vista to Luckiamute River

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  Buena Vista  to Lucki Starting Location: Boat Ramp at Buena Vista Park Point of Interest : Willamette River, just downstream from the confluence of Santiam and Luckiamute Rivers Bathrooms: Yes, brand new vault toilets Parking : just paved, with plenty of parking for trailers EV Chargers : No Rentals: No This was our first outing of the season, so we decided to stay close to home, and that means up and back on the Willamette. I wish there were some nice lakes closer, but this works. We had considered putting in at Luckiamute Landing, but weren't sure what the levels were, so we went with the familiar. As usual, we put in at Buena Vista, and headed upstream. The water level was okay, a bit lower than usual, and we were able to make our way upriver just fine, until we hit the confluence of the Luckiamute. I was able to get past it with some quick pedaling, but for some reason, Leanna's boat kept turning away from the current when it got too strong. She tried several times, bu...
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Season 6 . Hike # 16 Hamilton Mountain Trail, Hardy Falls, Rodney Falls

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Season 6 . Hike # 1 6 Hamilton Mountain Trail, Hardy Falls, Rodney Falls trail map Starting Location: Trailhead parking lot, just up the road across from Beacon Rock. Point of Interest :  waterfalls, forest views Distance : about 2.2 miles up and down. Difficulty : easy to moderate. Some steepness, can be wet, muddy. Bathrooms:  Yes, at parking lot Parking : yes EV Chargers :  no Dogs OK? on leash This trail is just across Hwy 14 from Beacon Rock, and since Beacon Rock is a pretty short hike, we decided to do this trail right after. Really, it was about a 1 minute drive. The trail heads through a forest that was pretty damp from the rain during the night, so there were a few slippery spots, but no real puddles to worry about. Most of our hikers used poles, and those came in handy. I should have brought mine, but I managed fine without them. There were a few spots I missed having them. There are a few old wooden bridges on this hike. I always enjoy them. Th...
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Season 6 . Hike # 15 Beacon Rock

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  Season 6 . Hike # 1 5 Beacon Rock  Starting Location: Small parking lot off of Hwy 14 Point of Interest :  views of Columbia River, Gorge, Bonneville Dam, interesting trail Distance : about 2 miles up and down. Difficulty : easy to moderate. Trail is pretty easy, but a bit steep in some places, narrow. Bathrooms:  Yes, at parking lot Parking : yes EV Chargers :  no Dogs OK? not sure? I wouldn't take a dog, trail is too narrow. I've seen Beacon Rock every time we drive down the gorge, but today we finally hiked it. We were originally going to kayak/hike Trillium Lake, but the weather was not Lake weather, so we switched it up. There's not a ton of parking here, but due to the weather, and it being a Monday, there was plenty of space. Since the hike goes up this big rock, the leftover inside of a volcano, the sides are a pretty steep drop off. Luckily, there are railings most of the way. The trail was built over 100 years ago, but is still in ver...
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Season 6 . Camping #2 - Hike # 14 Salmon Creek Trail #4365

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  Season 6 . Camping #2 - Hike # 1 4 Salmon Creek Trail #4365 Starting Location:  Salmon Creek Campground, Oakridge (or from Flat Creek Work Center) Point of Interest :  creek, forest Distance : about 6 miles (we did about 4 - 2 out and back) Difficulty : easy to moderate (mud possible) Bathrooms:  Yes, at campground Parking : yes EV Chargers :  no Dogs OK? yes, on leash We spent a few nights camping at Salmon Creek Campground, right by the river with a view of the falls, so we started the hike from the campground. The trail follows the creek most of the way, with lots of little side trails leading to the creek, or large rocks, or even small camping spots with fireplace rings.  It's a pretty hike, easy most of the way on well kept trails. There were a few small muddy spots, but easy enough to step over. Lots of birds, wildflowers and the creek provide entertainment as you walk. We took a small detour to check out this rather large rock sitting a...
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Season 6 . Camping #1 - Hike # 13 - Dog Mountain

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  Season 6 . Hike # 13 - D og Mountain Starting Location:  Parking Lot off Hwy 14 Point of Interest :  Views of Gorge, wildflowers Distance : about 6 miles (3 up and down) Difficulty : difficult due to steepness Bathrooms:  Yes. 2 pit toilets at start of trail Parking : about 70 spots in gravel lot, permit required EV Chargers :  no Dogs OK? yes, on leash -------------------------------------------------------------------------- This hike was to celebrate my daughter's 30th birthday. Lots of friends and family came camping, and also on this hike.  We camped at Big Cedars Campground in nearby Willard, Washington. It had a large group camping area that came in handy for our large group. It was close enough to get to Dog Mountain, and far enough to be secluded. We had been practicing for this hike, which we heard is difficult and steep.  It is. I think I heard someone say, right as we passed the restrooms onto the trail itself, "Is the whole t...
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