Washout on Alpha Trail in the McDonald Dunn Forest

Last winter there was a big washout on the road that goes to the Alpha Trail in McDonald Dunn Forest.  The washout is about 300 feet long and 50 feet wide.  There is a small path around the washout although it is on a bit of an overhang.  I have heard word that a bypass trail has either been built from the ridgeline trail or is on the way.  Next winter I expect this to get much worse.

 Nice view since all of the trees are gone in the washout.

 

 

 

Rain Squalls and the Beaver Freezer Triathlon

 

 

 

 

Yesterday I went out for a leisurely bike ride with Melissa.  Out by the base of Bald Hill, a rain squall suddenly appeared and threatened to drench us.  We made haste to the Irish Bend Covered Bridge to take refuge from the storm.  The wind whipped the rain into sideways frenzied sheets of stinging ice.  The howling gusts sounded eerily reminiscent of the noises the tornadoes made on the movie Twister.  After about 15 minutes, the squall passed and we were able to continue our ride.

 

 

We rode past the staging area for the Beaver Freezer Triathlon.  Several of my friends were participating yesterday.  I was going to participate in this event but when registration came open, I wasn’t sure if I would be in Corvallis this weekend or not.  Turns out I was.  Maybe next year I’ll do the triathlon.