I was down on gas but up on the search for more hikes to prepare myself for a one day Hatfield Trail/ Trans Gorge trip. So I chose the Wildwood to see how far I could stumble around for a day The Wildwood lacks hugely in steepness and roughness when compared to the gorge route but the distance can be copied. Which I could then evaluate myself using the thought process, "If I cant do it here, I sure as $*&% cant do it there
The plan was to hike the Wildwood Trail from The Oregon Zoo to the trail's end at Newberry Road, then back again totalling just over 60 miles. A late start had me leaving the Zoo lot around 4:35 am:
The moon and stars high above the mansion:
Finally, the day came in under a serenade of bird songs and sunshine:
I had a quick breakfast "picnic" at these tables and admired the new signs that illustrate the route:
The usual suspects were on display:
And some unusual ones too:
Halfway to halfway
Self-Heal under the powerlines and yummy trail side Red Huckleberries:
I had a good clip going past Saltzman before a large group of bikers almost steamrolled me on the wildwood. Past the saltz, I was making pretty good time so I had a nice break just before german town. Where a wildwood trip wouldnt be complete w/out some fresh Germantown D-doo packaged and ready for take out:
Feeling pretty good going past Newton and the BPA rd so I pushed on for the halfway mark:
I reached Newberry around 1:30 pm, turned back/filtered some water about 1/2 mile later and set out for the return trip just before 2 pm:
Turning back seemed a little overwhelming that far out but I just took it step by step. More blue sky under the lines:
Firelane 15 and my favorite new bench of all time:
More powerline sun and powerline flowers:
Back to German Town for another quick break just above the rd and my second PB and J:
Saltzman seemed to be danger alley cus I almost got hit again just before reaching the saltz. In my looned up-ness I somehow started following them down some steep firelane cutoff when about 1/4 mile later I realized I wasnt on the WW. I was pretty pissed at myself, but I blame the bikers
These are the last two pics I took before reaching the Zoo around 11 pm:
Going by the stone house in the dark was cool but it looked like there was nobody home so I didnt stop for tea. Once I got above Cornell symptoms of tarping became clear so I sat on a log and called my gf to see what was for dinner Accidently spooked some teens boozing it up in the mansion lot and from there it was just 4 more miles to the car!
This was my parting shot for the day. thum up, lying flat on the cement next to my car. What a hike.
Double Wildwood Trail Hike-n-Run: Aug-14th-2012
- Sean Thomas
- Posts: 1647
- Joined: February 25th, 2012, 11:33 pm
- retired jerry
- Posts: 14425
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Re: Double Wildwood Trail Hike-n-Run: Aug-14th-2012
Wow - 60 miles
That was a weird map. Highlighted area was enlarged. But just barely.
Normally, the enlarged area is enlarged twice or more
That was a weird map. Highlighted area was enlarged. But just barely.
Normally, the enlarged area is enlarged twice or more
- jojomachine
- Posts: 103
- Joined: August 25th, 2011, 12:19 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Double Wildwood Trail Hike-n-Run: Aug-14th-2012
My friends wanted me to tell you you're crazy. lol. Atleast this time you didn't do it on a super hot day, like tomorrow and friday. Glad you got home safe. annnnnd this means a recliner hike for the rest of the week and a washougal river trip!!!! wohooooooo!
Ang pagkakataon sa buhay ay madalang dumating, Kapag narito na, ating samantalahin. [tagalog proverbs]
Re: Double Wildwood Trail Hike-n-Run: Aug-14th-2012
whoh. Wildwood x2 in a day. Speechless I am.
Nicely done. Did you have Cascadehiker's mantra playing in your head towards the end of the day? (Just... Keep... Moving...)
One bright spot about a Wildwood hike is that you have 'bailout' points along the way (firelanes and side trails). I've considered that for doing just a one-way hike there. Still on my list of future 'maybe' hikes.
I think it's time for you to go get that Superman tattoo now, Sean.
Nicely done. Did you have Cascadehiker's mantra playing in your head towards the end of the day? (Just... Keep... Moving...)
One bright spot about a Wildwood hike is that you have 'bailout' points along the way (firelanes and side trails). I've considered that for doing just a one-way hike there. Still on my list of future 'maybe' hikes.
I think it's time for you to go get that Superman tattoo now, Sean.
Re: Double Wildwood Trail Hike-n-Run: Aug-14th-2012
Bammmm!!! You beat me to it!! 60 miles Of Wildwood. Your the first...at least the first I have ever heard of.
Great Job Sean
Bammola!!! Boombang...
Also kind of weird that EP has cement legs & you lay on cement after 60+ miles??
Great Job Sean
Bammola!!! Boombang...
Also kind of weird that EP has cement legs & you lay on cement after 60+ miles??
Shoe Shine Boy Has Left The Building!
Re: Double Wildwood Trail Hike-n-Run: Aug-14th-2012
Wow dude, way to raise it to the next level. I look forward to the 1 day Hatfield TR!
#pnw #bestlife #bitingflies #favoriteyellowcap #neverdispleased
Re: Double Wildwood Trail Hike-n-Run: Aug-14th-2012
I don't even know what to say about this.
- vibramhead
- Posts: 810
- Joined: November 15th, 2009, 10:52 am
- Location: SW Portland
Re: Double Wildwood Trail Hike-n-Run: Aug-14th-2012
Just astounding, Sean. I do the whole Wildwood once a summer, which I regard as a serious all-day hike, but I can't imagine turning around at the end and doing it all again.
Re: Double Wildwood Trail Hike-n-Run: Aug-14th-2012
Whoa! How did it feel? Muscular pains, blisters, exhaustion? Pack weight?
About 3.25 MPH on average for the whole day... nice. You're nuts
About 3.25 MPH on average for the whole day... nice. You're nuts
Re: Double Wildwood Trail Hike-n-Run: Aug-14th-2012
Ditto what they all said!!
Well done indeed you definitely raised the loony bar a notch!
Well done indeed you definitely raised the loony bar a notch!