Category: Around the Northwest

Today Drew and I decided it was a good idea to hike to the summit of Marys Peak from Conners Camp u p the East Ridge Trail.  We took his trusty Toyota Hilux, some provisions, and cold weather gear on the frozen streets of Corvallis.

 This guy managed to cross over traffic and end up in the ditch on the opposite side of the road.

 Heading up Marys Peak.

 I ended up riding in the bed of the pickup to keep traction on the rear wheels.

When we left Conners Camp we were the only vehicle in the lot.  Later when we returned, two other vehicles had joined us.  We passed that large party as we descended.

 The start of the trail.

 

Thanks to Drew for this and other photos.  While I did wear the GoPro HD Hero2 for a while, I didn’t actually get any video on it while hiking.  The ski goggles came in handy when the wind would periodically pick up and throw stinging snow into our eyes.

 Marys Peak has some incredibly steep flanks.

 Drew in the snow.

 We were the first people over the trail today.

I peeled out of my coat and hiked onward all the way to the summit only in a wool sweater that my grandmother had knitted many years ago for my grandfather.

 

 An interesting icicle formation off the end of a fallen tree that had been cut out of the way of the trial.

 

Off the east side of the false summit of Marys Peak.  We passed some skiers a short time before taking this photo.  Without their tracks, we would never have been able to find the trail through the open meadow.

 During the hike it proceeded to get darker and snowier.

 Approaching the summit of Marys Peak.  We chose to go through the trees and up the north face of the peak.

The towers come into view.

 At the summit.

 The antennas were all covered in snow and some were starting to bend over.  The chain link and barbwire fence in the background is a new and unwanted addition to the summit.  The Forest Service thinks that it will keep vandalism at bay.  From what I’ve heard from friends and read in the paper, it has done the exact opposite.  When we were there, the gates on the fence were completely missing.  I hope the Forest Service figures out that the fence is a stupid idea and will just make the vast majority of the public mad.  Because of the fence, you can’t actually get to the summit of the peak anymore.  Lame.

The tower was ice-covered, too.  Stepping out from the protection of the ice-covered fence was like stepping into a flash freezer.  Both Drew and I had very cold hands even with our mittens and gloves.  Goggles were a must at the summit when we faced the wind.

 What an ugly mess that fence makes of the summit.

Drew hiding behind the fence eating some food and trying to stay out of the wind.

 

 

 

 We were right at the edge of the clouds and blue sky.

 In my ski goggles and sweater at the summit.  Yes, my beard is frozen.

 Drew in his Polar Expeditionary gear.

 Yes, that snot is frozen in an icicle.

 The sun kept teasing us.

 

A panorama from in front of the fence looking from the north through the east to the south.  After we snapped this, we loaded up and headed back down the mountain.  In total we saw three other groups of people hiking.  There were two separate couples.  One couple had a few dogs and skis.  The other had dogs and snow shoes.  The larger group of eight or so people had about four or so dogs and were on foot.  They were heading up the mountain late enough that they probably returned to their cars at Conners Camp in the dark.  On the ride down the mountain, we passed a bunch of people driving up who also would be returning down the mountain in the dark.  All in all, it was a great hike.