Hiking Reports

Travel using primarily feet only. Hands might be used with hiking poles for balance or uphill travel.

Abajo Peak, Utah, September 2015

September 23, 2015 by Paul McClellan 1 Comment

In early September I spent a week hiking several Utah prominence peaks and sampling Utah mountain ranges I had not yet visited. After climbing Mount Peale in the Lal Sal Mountains I headed for Abajo Peak. Abajo Peak has 11360 feet of elevation and is the highpoint of the Abajo Mountains just west of Monticello, Utah. With 4550 feet of prominence Abajo Peak is 82nd most prominent peak of the 48 Contiguous US States.

South Peak and Abajo Peak from near Monticello, Utah — South Peak (left) and Abajo Peak (right) from near Monticello, Utah

On the afternoon of September 2 I checked in with the Manti-La Sal National Forest Service in Monticello. Here I verified that roadside camping was permitted on he drive up Abajo Peak. I also learned the local pronunciation of Abajo (Ah-BA-ho).

Linda and I had last passed through Monticello in August 2012 on our way to Monte Verde National Park. But I did not recollect paying much attention to nearby Abajo Peak at that time.

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Western Oregon Cascades Peaks, July 2015

August 2, 2015 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

During the last week of July I spent three days hiking prominent Western Oregon Cascades peaks. I visited Carpenter Mountain above the McKenzie River, Chucksney Mountain (north and south summits) above the Aufderheide Forest Drive, and Olallie Butte north of Mount Jefferson. Each peak had at least 2000 feet of prominence. The weather was quite warm with clear skies.

Looking North from Carpenter Mountain Lookout

I began by driving to the Carpenter Mountain Trailhead, then hiking the trail to the Carpenter Mountain Lookout. This hike is only one mile long with 900 feet of gain to the lookout. The last few feet to the lookout building climbed up some rock slabs. The attendant was friendly and we chatted while I viewed and photographed the scenery from the balcony. In the above photo you can see Wolf Rock on the left. Iron, Cone, and Echo Mountains line the center skyline. Mount Jefferson is to the right of them in the distance.

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Elkhorn and Cabinet Range Peaks, July 2015

July 18, 2015 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

In July I climbed an Oregon high peak in the Elkhorn Range of Northeast Oregon and a prominent peak in the Cabinet Range of Northern Idaho.

Cougar Pond SW Peak

On Tuesday, July 7, I drove to Baker City, Oregon, and checked road status at the local Forest Ranger Station. Then I drove west up along Pine Creek on the east side of the Elkhorn Range. The Pine Creek Road was quite rough. I recommend 4WD, good clearance, and tough tires to drive up to where parking is allowed beyond private property. I spent a pleasant evening and night camped beside the road.

The next morning, Wednesday July 8, I hiked up further along the primitive road. This road eventually became more of an ATV track as it approached Pine Creek Reservoir. I hiked past the reservoir, then followed the track as it switchbacked north up a slope towards a saddle.

The last 400 feet to the saddle was on an unimproved trail through a flowering meadow. Some mountain goats were visible on the slopes above and to my left. Rock Creek Butte rose far above me to the west.

From the saddle, Cougar Basin extended below me to the north. My destination, the unofficially named “Cougar Pond Southwest Peak”, rose above me to the west. Cougar Pond SW Peak is Oregon’s 39th highest peak (with at least 500 feet of prominence). From the saddle I climbed open ground and through thin forest to find the summit on the NW end of the summit ridge.

I enjoyed identifying most of the 12 other Oregon 100 highest peaks in the Elkhorn Range from the summit. I noticed a thunderstorm brewing above Mount Ireland to the NW.

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Northern California Prominence Peaks, June 2015

June 5, 2015 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

In June I drove and hiked prominence peaks in Southern Oregon and Northern California. The weather was unsettled but I had the peaks to myself and saw a black bear and wild horses.

Swan Lake Point, Stukel Mountain, and Hamaker Mountain

Swan Lake Point, Stukel Mountain, Hamaker Mountain, and Yainax Butte each have at least 2000 feet of prominence. They are located near Klamath Falls in Southern Oregon. On June 1 I visited Swan Lake Point, Stukel Mountain, and Hamaker Mountain summits. I expect most people passing through the area give these peaks little notice. Forest roads lead me to or near these summits. I got good views of this volcanic part of Oregon.

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