The penultimate day of 2012. And to my joy and amazement, it was all sunshine and blue skies. A great day to take a fun hike in the West Hills of town.
I walked down the Vista Ridge, crossed over the Vista Bridge above Goose Hollow, entered Washington Park, stopped for a moment of reflection at the Holocaust Memorial, meandered through the Rose Garden, jumped on the Wildwood Trail near the Japanese Gardens, climbed to the top of the ridge, passed the Oregon Zoo, paid my respects at the Vietnam Memorial, joined the Marquam Trail, crossed the Sunset Highway Overpass, ascended through the forest to Patton Street, hiked to the top of Council Crest (the highest point in Portland), took a breather and then walked the last 1 1/2 miles to home.
Because of the mild climate in Portland, everything remains green and a few flowers are still in bloom. We had just incurred our first below-freezing temperature the previous evening.
Our growing season lasts from mid-April (the last below-freezing temperature) to almost the end of December, or 8 1/2 months.
While standing at the summit of Council Crest, I noticed that Mt. Baker could be seen. It takes a spectacularly clear day to be able to see a peak in the North Cascades relatively close to the Canadian border.
All in all the trek was a pleasant eight miles with 1,200 feet of elevation gain.
Rose Garden
Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens from left to right
Green grass in the West Hills
Pine cone and white rose at the Holocaust Memorial
Mt. Hood from Council Crest
Colorful leaves
Mt. St. Helens and Silver Star Mountain
Rose in bloom at the Rose Garden
Yes! Our occasional clear winter days here are so beautiful. I’m not sure if you saw my post about the 4T trail: http://noticingswportland.wordpress.com/2011/02/06/the-4t-trail-loop/. The 4T covers some of the territory you did here, and adds the Tram, Trolley, and Train. Thank you for another great reminder to get out and about in the city this winter.
I ran into some folks doing the 4T Trail while I was taking a break on Council Crest. They said the views from the tram ride were amazing.
hi im contacting you with regards to your image from crest park where you have mt baker in shot..it seems along way away to be seen from your location.i did some rough calculations with earth curvature and it shouldn’t even be seen. can you just confirm your location of shot ? thanks jamie
Pretty amazing being able to see Mt. Baker! Great shot of the 3 mountains, John.
Thanks Sally. It was an exceptionally clear day.
That is Glacier Peak in Baker National Forest. Mt. Baker is in Northern Washington and would need to be 10 miles high to be able to be seen that far away.
I thought of Glacier Peak, but believe it’s too far to the east. Mt. Rainier appears to be between Glacier and me. But, the Glacier Peak area looks like it would be fun to visit.
neither is correct,they would both have to be 10 miles high, its not mt baker you wolly,its goat mountain which is next to mt st helens
Could be Goat Mountain. Although, I always think about Goat Mountain being much closer to Mt. St. Helens than the mountain in the photo.
The snow is beginning to come down lower on the mountains as I write this. So, I will begin watching for the same view again.