Jaci Dawn

Let me preface this with: my camera did not take very good photos. The lighting was difficult and the wildflowers were very hard to get the camera to focus on. Maybe I am just critical because the view was so beautiful and no matter how you photograph, you just cannot capture the essence of the high Cascades.

The background to this story is about the Internet and the group of volunteers my husband works with (Trail Advocates). Some time back a woman posted a note on their website asking for information on Fish Creek Look Out during the 1930’s. Her mother and father spent a summer (their honeymoon) manning the look out up there and the daughter wanted more information. The comment languished until my husband read it and decided he should respond to the inquiry. Through the internet, he made fast friends with the woman, her still-living mother, and the entire extended family of this couple who spent their honeymoon isolated on a mountain top in Oregon.

Eventually, the journal will be posted on the Trail Advocates website and when it is, I will alert you so you can go and read this very romantic story. For now, you have my abridged version.

Elbert & Helen were very much in love. Elbert died about 8 years ago and Helen died this past March. Their children wanted to honor their parents by making a pilgrimage up this mountain to the site of the now long-gone look out. Donald agreed to show them the way and a date was set: July 17,2010.

Two daughters came: Pam, the eldest, and Bev, the one who originally posted. Bev’s long-time partner of 30 years came, JoAnn (the oldest of the group at age 72), and JoAnn’s daughter, Jenny. Jenny’s partner also came with their newly adopted dog, Elisa & Flora (the dog). Pam’s oldest son arrived, an architect who lives in Texas: John. The youngest grandson also came: Travis, age 25. A cousin, Bruce, and his wife, “Jah” also came along to pay homage, and another cousin, Ron, who is a Forest Ranger in Utah.

Also invited was a man that Pam met on an airplane less than a month ago: a former Estacada Forest Ranger, John. John was fascinated by the story that took place in the US Forest District he once managed and Pam believed it was not a coincidence that she met him o a trip to visit Maccu Piccu.

Last, there was Don and Murphy, our tour guides and myself. I was not the least prepared for the hike which was a very steep climb from 3,000 feet to 5140. The midwesterners suffered from the altitude as well as the strain to muscles and joints. I grew up in Ely, Nevada, an altitude of 65oo feet and was less discomforted by altitude than I was just plain lack of being in shape and approaching this entire hike already feeling rather weak and lethargic.

But we all made it to the summit. We zig-zagged up steep ridges, walked a rough decommissioned Forest Service road and staggered up more steep zig-zags. The wildflowers were incredible: blue gilia, silver-leaf arnica, Indian paintbrusk, wild daisies, yarrow, golden yarrow, larkspur, several shades and varieties of penstemons from pink to deep blue, bunchberries, salmonberry blooms, vanilla leaf and more. The views – when visible – were breath taking: Mt. Jefferson, Olallie Butte, Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams.

At the summit, there was a casual service of homage, a search for a geo-cache (the journal was signed by all and something added to the cache-box), and lunch.

We went down in small groups. Some opted to hike down to High Lake where Elbert & Helen had to go to get their drinking water. Three of the family members carried backpacking equipment up and chose to spend the night. Ranger John, JoAnn, Jenny, Elisa & Flora headed down first because 10-month old Flora was wiped out (that’s a big hike for a young puppy). I guided a very tired, sore, and exhausted Jah out (I was just as tired, sore and exhausted, but I know my way around the woods and wasn’t likely to make a mistake and get lost). Donald brought out Pam & Bev after taking architect John down to High Lake.

Jah ran out of water on the summit but I had extra in my pack and we shared that.

I picked up a really cool stick I planned to use in my artwork but I set it down somewhere along the line and neglected to pick it back up when I grabbed my walking stick for the final leg back down. Jah learned the value of a walking stick as we descended some gravelly places.

The first party made it to the cars by 4:40. Jah and I arrived at 5. Donald’s group made it down by 6:30. Except for a twisted ankle, no one got hurt.

Well, except for how stiff and sore I am today (and I imagine: Pam, Bev and Jah). Nearly everyone else seemed to be in better shape, but since I am not there to hear them complain, I could be very wrong. I’m pretty sure the three who spent the night came down sore and cold.

In the end, it was a wonderful hike, a wonderful tribute to Elbert & Helen, and Don & I feel like honorary members of this extended midwestern family.

Some photos:

Looking at the map of the trail. Don (brown hat, green plaid shirt) shows everyone the plan. Murphy (dead center of the huddle) is enjoying all these people on his trail. Flora wanders the outer rim.

Looking back down the decommissioned road at the stragglers. We’re only a mile from the base at this point, with a two mile stretch up the ridge to the summit. It was at this point coming back that I learned how to encourage someone who wanted to just sit down and cry more than I did. “We’re only a mile from the cars now.” Funny how having someone tell you how close you are helps!

The dogs take advantage of a break to beg for attention. (Flora & Jenny, Murphy & Elisa.)

Mr. Innocent Trail Leader.

I wish the colors had come out better! Two kinds of penstemon on the basalt, larkspur and arnica in the foreground. Butterflies were everywhere.

One of the views (to the west, so no Cascades peaks).

View to the SW: Ollalie Butte and Mt. Jefferson.

Bear grass in bloom – one of my favorites!

Mt Hood to the NNW.

The rock cairn telling us to turn left and back onto the trail. Only 2/3’s of a mile left back to the cars. Poor Jah was ready to throw it all in at this point. All I could think was, “We’re so close now!”

I’ll share more wildflowers over the next few days.