Two mice and a mountain

 Hiya Gang,
Cocoa and Navy here.  Little Fox is "resting" today after a long night of partying.  Us mice decided to go hiking ourselves.  A pretty amazing fall day on Mt. Hood. 

Water is flowing nicely in the waterfalls. 

Appreciate the sustainability feature of this sign, reusing the other side makes so much sense. 

Take it from here Navy.  
Ok Cocoa, found another waterfall along the trail.  Later on in the hike but maybe the same river?  Hopefully we can find a view of the mountain and a nice picnic spot. 

When the mention of food is involved Sequoia gets pretty serious about the hike. 

Great job team, found a nice spot with a view of the mountain. Some grass, a little sun and the roommates brought along cheese for us mice. 

It was hard to miss the mountain today - even from the ski lift areas it was out and in full show.

Working on the virtual PCT via the real PCT.

 Hiya Gang,
As you may know Sandy and I are working on our virtual PCT challenge.  We've been plugging away at the hiking yet we're still in California.  Last time I checked we are nearing Lake Tahoe.

Since it's such a nice summer day the gang and I (Navy, Cocoa, Sequoia) decided to do a little hiking on the real PCT.  Today's destination is Upper and Lower Twin Lakes near Mt. Hood.  The lakes are accessible off of a side trail from the PCT but we still get some PCT miles in so that's cool.

Too early for Huckleberries (a wild berry that has had no luck in being grown commercially- don't get the roommate started on Huckleberies or we'll never finish this post) so it's a nice treat when its found in the wild (also super expensive to buy...almost double of Copper River Salmon).

Bark, whoof, whoof (translation: enough chit chat, let's go).

The PCT is a pretty amazing trail.  This fox has hiked portions of it in Oregon, Washington and some near Lake Tahoe.  Any hike along the PCT almosts guarantees some amazing scenery.

Here's the turnoff.

Eventually made it to the lakes.  Upper Twin Lake was quieter (we were there earlier) but the hordes of people were arriving.

Luckily, we started early and missed most of the folks at Upper Twin Lake.  So pretty.

Off to Lower Twin Lake (an easier hike).  It was much busier and there were all types of hikers (people were carrying innertubes up the trail to Lower Twin Lake.  

Us animals didn't get any pictures at Lower Twin Lake.  Sequoia insisted on walking around the lake and when he puts his paws down there is no stopping him.  Of course, the human left lunch in the car so the roommate got hangry and no pictures for us.

Good news for us Mice and Fox (we snuck Tillamook Cheese with us as our lunch).

Baxter controlled blog

 Hiya Gang.  Baxter here, I'm in control of the blog today while my pal Little Fox is on his trip to Canada.  Update: LF has passed customs (not sure which city) but he's the Canada Postal Systems ward now.

My hike starts off along the Barlow Road along the Oregon Trail. If you took 5th grade history in Oregon you probably know about the Oregon trail and Sam Barlow (edit: that is if your human likes history like this author).

My destination is Upper Twin Lake and then to Palmateer point (my lunch spot).

Almost there!

The lake looks good.  I think it's a snowmelt lake so it's kind of dry but the snowy season on Mt. Hood should start up in a few months. 

I had the lake to myself.  What a treat.  Speaking of treats time to work my way up the trail to lunch.  Mt. Hood decided to show up today at Palmateer point.  Note, that hill to the right of Mt. Hood is Barlow Butte.   

This picture is nice, but I think this one (with me in it) is much better.

 I heard there was a rumor that we might celebrate this hike with some ice cream.  Paws crossed.

 

Stuffie Olympics Entry #2 - Winter Tracking

 Hiya Gang,

Little Fox and Sequoia here entering into the Winter Tracking competition at the Stuffy Olympics.

Winter Tracking is somewhat easy yet challenging.  Competing for Team USA is Sequoia and I and we are in the Winter Tracking timed category. 

The Winter Stuffie Olympics Commission sure set up a challenging course. The tracks are light but I have faith. 

Sometimes the trail gets easy.  Signs and blue diamonds a winter trackers best friend. Of course the trail the commission wants our team to follow is not on the sign.  (Cue music: Ace of Base I saw the sign).

The tracks go everywhere.  This is tough, Sequoia and I have to find a good view of Mt. Hood, how can finding the trail to the tallest mountain in the state be so tough? 

Sometimes the best way to win a race is to slow down.  Sequoia thinks we should stop for a second, take a break, and strategize about our next move.

He's hot on the trail. Let's go. 

Getting close, the mountain is in view.  Plus another sign.  Cue Music: Ace of Base Video (the sign) LIVE  

The tracks are here but which one do we choose? 

Best to leave it up to my partner. 

Hours later we arrive at the endpoint.  

Time to check in with the judges, eat lunch, and wait for our ride down the mountain.

Time for a celebratory beer at the Olympic Village.

Stuffy Olympics

 Greetings Blog World.

Little Fox here on this pleasant snow filled day at the mountain.  This year I am entering the Winter Stuffy Olympics in a very competitive category.  

That's right....look out Ben....I am entering the "chilling" category this year.  Ben represents France very well as you can see from his Summer Olympic entry.

But this year Team USA is taking aim for the coveted "chilling" medal. 

Here's my entry, not sure if it can win as I know Team France dominates in this category but only time will tell.

The camera crew for the Stuffy Olympics is amazing, another view of my Chillin entry. 

Congratulations to all stuffy and non-stuffy athletes' this Winter Olympics. 
LF

Yipee, more wildflowers.

 The gods of the wildflowers (should that be capitalized??)  on the mountain were generous to this fox.  If all goes well I am off to McNeill Point.  Who was McNeill? He was a journalist from Illinois who moved to Portland in 1912 and instantly fell in love with Mt. Hood.   An avid skier, hiker and journalist who advocated for it's protection. 

Indian paintbrush along the way. 

Beargrass!

Tons of huckleberries that the humans ate along the trail.  My lunch spot.  Lupine, paintbrush and a lunch fit for a fox. 

To celebrate the end of my hike I decided to visit an old friend. He didn't have much time to talk as the wildfire season is his "busy time" but he did find a minute or two to pose for a picture.

Time to relax outside at Timberline Lodge.  This fox earned this beer, a nice Mt. Hood Brewing Porter.   

9:30am lunch?

Greetings from the trail.  I am at a beary popular trail head in Oregon.  It's 8am and there are already cars in the parking lot.  It's Monday, I know the post is on a Thursday (humans.....).   Down to business I am hoping to see some wild rhododendrons and a good view of Mt. Hood.  

The rhododendron tree is looking green but no flowers.  I wonder if I am too late?

Ah, there we go.  This rhodie is blooming.  The wild ones are only pink.

I wanted to take a break and guess who showed up on the same rock as me?  Sequoia jumped right up and wanted to get in the picture. 

Back on the trail.  I have a choice.  I  can go to Tom, Dick and Harry mountain or to Mirror Lake.  Let's check out the lake first.

You can kind of see a reflection of Mt. Hood in the lake. The mosquitoes are out so I must keep moving.

See that hill out there?  It's Tom, Dick and Harry mountain and it's my final destination.

A few wildflowers are out today.  Indian Paintbrush and Bear Grass.

Mt. Jefferson looks good.  The air needs to clear up and Mt. Jeff needs more snow for a better picture.  

I am now near the top of Tom, Dick and Harry mountain.  Mt. Hood in the background looks nice and there's more Indian Paintbrush and Bear Grass.  This is not a great spot for lunch.  Perhaps a rock. 

This spot looks good.  Of course, it's 9:30am.  Is that too early for lunch?  Yes, but I am hungry so I am eating. 

Sequoia is not one to be shown up.  He decided to pose for this picture and I must admit he looks good.