Living near sea level, I tend to run out of energy exercising above 6,000 feet.
Since all the interesting alpine hikes in the summer and early fall are at or above 6,000 feet, I look to do a few higher-elevation conditioning hikes.
In early August I drove to Timberline Lodge at 5,900 feet and began hiking up the south climbing trail on a gorgeous day.
Nearing the top of the Palmer Lift at about 8,000 feet, I looped back to the southwest through the rocky terrain. Eventually I hit the Pacific Crest Trail and hiked back to the Lodge.
A very nice way to spend the morning.
Mt. Hood rising above a field of Lupine
Skiers on the Palmer Glacier
Pink Alpine Lupine
Mt. Jefferson (Broken Top and the Three Sisters are visible in the far distance) behind the top of Timberline Lodge
Buckwheat
Pussytoes
Tundra-like environment above 7,000 feet (purple Lupine and orangish Buckwheat
Palmer Lift with Trillium Lake in background
Around 7,500 feet
Mt. Jefferson behind Trillium and Timothy Lakes
That’s so beautiful.
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Thanks Sandy.I hit it on a gorgeous day.
A treat to the eye
Thanks. Mt. Hood is a beauty on a clear, sunny day.