Hiking Reports

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

Mauna Kea, Hawaii, January 2014

February 24, 2014 by Paul McClellan 2 Comments

On January 14 I hiked to the top of Mauna Kea, the highest point of the the Big Island of Hawaii and of the entire Hawaiian chain of islands forming our 50th US State. This hike completed my project of climbing the High Points of the Western US States.

I began climbing Pacific Northwest Cascade volcanoes in 1975. These volcanoes rise far above the surrounding terrain. With each summit another one tempted me on. By the mid 1980’s I had started exploring other ranges in Colorado, California, and Nevada. The variety and beauty of these other ranges suggested more explorations. I decided to try to summit the High Points of the Western US States.

This project continued with more or less focus over many years, but recent progress left me with only one high point left to climb – Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii.

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Southeast Oregon Peaks, October 2013

December 18, 2013 by Paul McClellan 1 Comment

The summer had ended and autumn had begun without my returning this year to hike peaks in Southeast Oregon. There was only one more peak on my Oregon’s Highest Peaks list in SE Oregon I had not yet climbed. I had that peak in mind when I traded my Ford Explorer in for a Jeep Rubicon. On Thursday, October 24, I packed my jeep and began my explorations of Southeast Oregon Peaks.

Little Pinky Reservoir, Oregon Canyon Mountains South Ridge on the Horizon

Oregon Canyon Mountains Highpoint

The Oregon Canyon Mountains Highpoint (aka “Stevenson Benchmark”) has a reputation for difficult access. In particular a frequently used road is long, remote, and has a reputation for shredding tires. However, Caleb Morris posted an alternative driving and hiking route on SummitPost.org. His route proved to be much shorter on difficult driving and included an interesting ridge hike.

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Wallowa Mountains, Oregon, August 2013

November 16, 2013 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

After a lapse of 24 years, I returned in August to hike peaks in the Wallowa Mountains and the Eagle Cap Wilderness of Northeast Oregon. Linda was riding the Oregon Bicycle Ride, which passed to the north of the Wallowa Mountains. While Linda rode the tour I spent the week hiking and camping in those mountains. I did visit her camp in Joseph for two nights.

China Cap and Granite Butte

On Saturday, August 3, I drove through Union into the forest along Catherine Creek Lane and other forest roads. I arrived at the Buck Creek Forest Camp and Trailhead and camped there for the night.

Granite Butte and Mule Peak from China Cap

The next morning, Sunday August 4, I hiked over Burger and Sand Passes and reached the summit of Granite Butte. The view from Granite Butte was very impressive with deep and long valleys and sharp ridgelines decorated with rocky peaks.

I retraced my route to Burger Pass, admired the fields of lupine, then gained the west ridge of China Cap. After traversing the south face of China Cap I climbed a breach in the summit cliffs. I gained the summit and enjoyed another view of the Southern Wallowa Mountains.

I returned to my car, then drove through Enterprise to a campsite along Hurricane Creek for the evening.

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Colorado and Utah Peaks, June 2013

July 9, 2013 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

Late June seems to be a good time to visit the high peaks of Colorado. Then the snowpack is diminishing, the days are long, and the threat of summer thunderstorms is not yet a daily concern. In June of 2013 I visited several Colorado and Utah Peaks, specifically Mount Sneffels, Wilson Peak, and Kings Peak. I had a good time exploring more of Colorado and seeing Utah’s High Uintas for the first time.

Mount Sneffels

I began by driving to Ouray, Colorado and up into Yankee Boy Basin to get access to Mount Sneffels (14150′). This was my first trip with my Jeep Wrangler, and I was glad to have its clearance and traction on the rocky and trenched access road. I camped above the “first parking area”, leaving the rest of the road up to the upper trailhead for the next day.

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