It’s always fun to return to a hike done many years ago, especially if it no longer follows a well-maintained trail.
The original trail began near the end of a Forest Service road. But, close to twenty years ago the road was closed and is currently so overgrown it is unrecognizable as having ever been passable.
The current trail to 5,100-foot Fish Creek Mountain begins at an unmarked trailhead off of a rough dirt road southeast of Estacada, Oregon.
Now one gets the challenge of hiking a hard-to-follow access trail built by volunteers. The trail is very steep in places.
Another change from 20 years ago is the old fire lookout site on the mountain’s summit is overgrown with noble firs and mountain hemlocks standing well over my head. Still, there continues to be views extending to Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Hood.
An extra treat of the outing was a 500-foot descent below the summit on another rough trail to a very pretty cirque lake (High Lake) formed by a receding glacier long ago.
What could be a better outing on an early May day?
High Lake
Avalanche Lily
Englemann Spruce cones
Cat’s-ear Lily
Summit of Fish Creek Mountain (remains of a long-removed fire lookout)
Sitka Mountain Ash
Swallowtail Butterfly on a Larkspur
Western Solomon Plume (wild Lily)
Penstemon (Cardwell’s?)
Rock Penstmon
Mt. Jefferson with fresh snow
Trail leading through a wildflower meadow
Prairie Star
Waterleaf
Truly stunning photos, John. And a wonderful hike. Detail and clarity in each photo. My favorite one is the spruce tree and pine cones, it looks like it’s from another planet.
Thanks. I don’t often see spruce trees on my hikes. It was a treat to see the little, colorful cones.
Just beautiful, John. When someone tells you to “get lost”, I’m so glad you take them literally. 🙂 another great post!
Sandy
Thanks Sandy. Adventures add a spice to life.