While perusing Instagram yesterday, I came across a photo taken atop Green Mountain along the nature trail in Huntsville, Alabama. It was so beautiful, I immediately wanted to visit.
Since the kids are out of school for fall break, we drove down and took a 2-mile hike around the lake and I took photos along the way. The changing leaves and reflections on the water were just a pretty as I'd hoped.
If you're in the area, I highly recommend going. The trail is very family-friendly and the views are breathtaking.
For the past three years when bow hunting season arrives, I lose my Husband to the hills of Eastern Oregon. This year was a little different because the kids + I got to tag along with him on opening weekend. I was hoping to get the chance to spot an elk or two but unfortunately, our efforts were unsuccessful. We were able to catch a glimpse of a herd of deer while making our drive into camp, but I was behind the wheel instead of behind the camera lens.
We had a great time! We took a couple of family hikes that involved minimal complaining from the kids + only two piggie-back rides. We gathered around a fire under a star-filled sky where we all took turns naming new constellations. (I think someone saw a purple hippo, yellow elephant + a kite.) Our daughter took her first four-wheeler ride + had a blast! All in all, it was a wonderful time spent together.
The warm, sunny weather has been abundant over the past few weekends + we have taken full advantage of them. With a little help from the All Trails App, I could easily find a trail + map directions. I am a bit partial to the waterfall hikes but it appears most people are. Even after traveling two hours away from the Portland Metro Area, the trailhead parking lots are full of cars + the trails are full of people + pets. I don’t mind it though. Not when the payoff is a million dollar view.
Today I’m sharing a few photos taken from three recent weekend hikes. The All Trails App describes two of them as moderate hikes + one as easy. I concur.
|| ONE || Falls Creek Falls – Carson, Washington
Falls Creek Falls is a new favorite of mine. A portion of the drive to the trail is along a dirt road that is full of potholes but it’s not so bad that we needed to use four-wheel drive. In fact, once we arrived at the trailhead, I was surprised to see so many cars in the parking lot.
We made it out + back along the trail, occasionally stepping to the side to let people pass us. After all, we were making the trek with a seven + four-year-old. There was one portion of the trail that required us to step on stones that had water rushing under them but we made it by just fine. And it made for an adorable father-daughter photo. Have a look!
Put Lower Falls Creek Trail on your places to visit this summer!
|| TWO || Panther Creek – Carson, Washington
Picnicking by Panther Creek with a beautiful waterfall just on the opposite side. All good things. All good things. =) And it’s a super-short hike to boot! We actually stopped off at Panther Creek on our way to Falls Creek Falls.
|| THREE || Bald Mountain from Lolo Pass Trail – Rhododendron, Oregon
We had high hopes of reaching the Lost Lake on Memorial Day but due to snow-covered dirt roads, it wasn’t accessible. Hopefully, we can try again in a few weeks after more of the snow has melted off. I felt a bit defeated when we had to turn around but there was a trailhead on the intersecting road. The Lolo Pass Trailhead is part of the Pacific Crest Trail that we hiked along for a bit. This trail zig-zagged quite a bit, gaining elevation with each step. This also means that this trail started to become snowed-covered as well. We were only able to go one-mile in before we had to turn around. Either way, it got us up + moving and gave us a pretty awesome view of Mt. Hood.
Here’s to more Weekend Warrioring with The Family!
This past weekend we took a family road trip south + visited Crater Lake, a location that's been on my bucket list since the first time we lived in Oregon. We timed it just right as the one and only hiking trail that leads to the shore of the lake was scheduled to be closed for repairs the following day (today) and won't be accessible until next summer.
We didn't partake in any tours but rather took it upon ourselves to drive around the rim and make the trek down Cleetwood Cove Trail to the shoreline. The hike was classified as "strenuous" due to the steep grade (there's a 700-foot elevation change in 1.1 miles) but the Little Brumfields powered through. Wyatt was a brave soul and was the only one of us that took a swim in the chilly lake waters that have an average temp of 59°F in August. I only stood in the water for a bit. Brad stuck with Delta Mae - it was just too rocky to get her close to the water.
Here are a few quick tidbits about Crater Lake:
At 1,943 feet, it's the deepest lake in the US; visibility is 140 feet.
It's clarity + intense blue color are a result of it only being fed by rain and snow. No rivers or streams lead to the lake.
Some 7,700 years ago, a caldera formed when Mount Mazama, a volcano, erupted and later collapsed. Crater Lake rests inside the caldera.
Wizard Island formed during a later eruption.
Crater Lake is 4.5-6 miles wide.
Hands down, this was my favorite place to see in the State of Oregon to date. It was just So Stunning. Marvelous. Grand. #AllTheFancyWords This wonder of God was too amazing to capture in photographs, but I gave it my best shot. Here are my photos.
If you're planning a trip, you might be interested to know that they DO NOT SELL BOTTLED WATER at the Rim Cafe. You can purchase a water bottle at the gift shop but it's going to cost you a pretty penny. We'll file that one under lesson learned.
