A trip down south

 Hiya Gang,

Little Fox and crew (Navy and Cocoa Beanie) here as we take a short walk around the Willamette River ner Eugene Oregon on our trip south.  This is the Defazio Bridge, named after a long time representative.  It's for walking, scootters, bikes, and other non motorized (ie cars) wheeled transportation.

The Defazio Bridge is ok but the real part of this trip is hiking on the real PCT while working on the virtual PCT.

Cocoa is starting us out on the the PCT near Mt. Ashland ski resort.

This trail section of the PCT is pretty flat and our destination is Grouse Gap.

A ton of the state is on fire but the smoke was kind enough to 

The Flowers are out (albeit if we were here 3 weeks before the flower show would be amazing). 

The Grouse Gap shelter was a great place to have a snack. They have picnic tables, a fire pit (can't use now because of the aforementioned state being on fire) but in the winter they usually keep a little fire going on the weekends so the cross country skiers have a warm place to relax.

Where to next?

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).

Little Fox assisting Sandy in PCT

 Hiya Gang,

Little Fox, Cocoa and Navy Beanie here.  We have been busy hiking and walking around to assist Sandy in his adventure along the PCT.  As of this writing we are still in Southern California. 

Recently we passed Aztec Falls.

Other notable places Team West Coast Stuffies have visited is the Cabazon Dinosaurs near Palm Springs. A couple of years ago the roommate took me on a trip to Joshua Tree and we drove by the dinosaurs on the way to Joshua Tree.  Not enough time to stop but definitely going to next time.

Today, my little gang (me, Navy, Cocoa, Sequoia) are hiking in forest park. It's a tad muddy today but that doesn't stop these virtual explorers.

"Enough chit chat" said Navy Beanie.  He is certainly ready to explore.  

And we're off!