On Saturday, the forecast was for mostly clear skies and warming temps, it ended up mid 60’s. While there was a high overcast that tempered the brightness a bit, the warmth was very encouraging after a long cold winter. I got up at a late 730 and made myself a big bowl of oatmeal. I was able to get ready and on the road a little before 9. Since there is still lots of snow in the higher elevations, I headed to the usual – Rattlesnake Ledge.
On the trailhead at 905, there were a surprising number of people already there. Of course, its a nice day. There were a number of them coming down already on my way up, but I still bypassed the main ledge and kept going to the 3rd viewpoint. I was following a couple of guys in shorts and t-shirts and tennis shoes who bypassed the 3rd ledge and kept going. I figured they were going to go as far as they could before hitting substantial snow, of which there was still a lot higher up. Anyway, I had a nice quiet rest at the upper ledge by myself for about 25 minutes.
Going down, there was a LOT of people heading up, which matched the high number of cars that I watched arrive while I was resting. There was one huge group of teens, probably 30 maybe. I should have counted everyone as I hiked down, but I’m guessing it would have been over a hundred. Typical for a nicer warmer day. About 5 miles total.
After getting home, and after a brief respite and lunch, I got the blower out on the driveway and some piles of leaves in the backyard which were never cleaned up. I got the truck washed and the lawn mowed for the first time. I got the propane burner out and killed a bunch of weeds. It felt good to do something out in the yard again.
On Sunday, it was forecast to be nicer and warmer yet, so I got up at 7 and had my oatmeal again, always a great prehike breakfast. This time I headed to the west end of Rattlesnake mountain, exit 27, and started hiking at 930. There were not as many people there I guessed as there probably was at the lake. But still a number of friendlies on the trail going both ways.
While I had a sandwich with me, my intention was to just go far enough to see where significant snow started. That was about 1.5 hrs in. It was very warm out and I was in a short sleeve shirt, but I was still sweating like normal. The snow was cooling and simple enough to walk/hike through so I kept going. I had my new Kahtoola traction chains with me but didn’t use them right away, as the snow was off and on for a while. About 2 hours in it got heavier and deeper. I wasn’t far from the halfway point, but it was getting tougher to walk, slippery. I put on the traction but it didn’t help a lot, because the warm air was melting the snow. But I made it to the halfway point known as Grand Prospect. The view looks directly down on N.Bend exit 32 and the mall and shopping center. There were several others there to chat with while I had my sandwich.
When I decided to head back, I loaded up the pack on my back and the first step I took postholed me up to my hip. But the rest of the hike down was otherwise uneventful. Lots of others coming up in the warm weather. Got back to the car at about 130 and home by 2. About 10 miles total.
Today I need to wash the car and burn some more weeds, do some vacuuming inside and I think that’ll be enough for the day. At least its warm enough to sit on the patio and relax comfortably. Its around 70 now.