Elk Cove 7.21.14

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weathercrazy
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Elk Cove 7.21.14

Post by weathercrazy » July 22nd, 2014, 7:12 pm

The flowers are going strong along the hike, though the avalanche lillies seen in the burn are fading, except right at the top near the Eden junction.

All pics:

http://weathercrazy.smugmug.com/Landsca ... idge-72114

This is my first time here, after years of trying to do this hike. I had been turned around because of car issues, personal issues, and finally the fire two years ago. Now that I have done this hike, I want to to it every year.

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Some parts of the forest are still very bare:

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The bear grass is mainly done on the lower slopes

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There are signs of regrowth, it'll be interesting to see this area recover :)

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Around 5,400', the lillies started :)

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The view from the junction with Eden sure has changed since pdxgene did this hike two weeks ago:

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This is also where the bugs started. I didn't use any bug spray, but even those who did say the flies and mosquitoes were bad. I noticed them the most around snowfields.

Right at the junction, there is this beautiful little meadow:

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Mt. Hood was in and out of the clouds making for interesting times watching

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Approaching Elk Cove, the area was mainly in shadow, but still pretty. Surprised to see the pasque flowers so far along!

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There were a couple of areas with snow cover, but most were easily negotiable. I did actually fall through a snow bridge just after the Timberline trail junction. Luckily, it wasn't very far down and I was able to get my leg out. Upon return I collapsed more of the snow bridge to make it more obvious.

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The walk through the burned forest is very interesting IMO. However this was quite scary!

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The sun finally came out as I was approaching the TH. I was afraid the sunset would be clouded over, boy was I wrong!

http://weathercrazy.smugmug.com/Landsca ... nset-72114

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RobinB
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Re: Elk Cove 7.21.14

Post by RobinB » July 22nd, 2014, 7:59 pm

Thanks for the great TR and pictures! They're all good, but I especially like this one - something about the focus:
weathercrazy wrote:Image

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weathercrazy
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Re: Elk Cove 7.21.14

Post by weathercrazy » July 23rd, 2014, 7:35 am

It was a cute little meadow right there. I hadn't see much paintbrush or pasque flowers on the hike until right at that point, and there were several other varieties there as well.

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romann
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Re: Elk Cove 7.21.14

Post by romann » July 23rd, 2014, 11:05 am

Wow - the sunset photo needs to be in the next calendar!

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jgreisel
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Re: Elk Cove 7.21.14

Post by jgreisel » July 23rd, 2014, 11:09 am

Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing. This was the first overnight backpack we did, it will always be one of my favorites for that reason... I remember after coming up vista ridge, Wy'east basin was like an oasis. Then when we got over to Elk Cove meadows, we were in love!!
See more pics on my blog: http://cjsjaunts.blogspot.com/

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weathercrazy
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Re: Elk Cove 7.21.14

Post by weathercrazy » July 23rd, 2014, 11:21 am

I was thinking that as I was taking it!

Scary to think I'll have to start the selection process in a few weeks!
romann wrote:Wow - the sunset photo needs to be in the next calendar!

wnshall
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Re: Elk Cove 7.21.14

Post by wnshall » July 23rd, 2014, 1:30 pm

RobinB wrote:Thanks for the great TR and pictures! They're all good, but I especially like this one - something about the focus:

This was my favorite too; great photo. Also liked the scary burned tree trunk! That sunset was pretty remarkable -- I caught it coming out from McNeil Pt.

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jointhedance
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Re: Elk Cove 7.21.14

Post by jointhedance » July 23rd, 2014, 4:34 pm

that fantastic, spooky-looking snag caught my eye too.
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weathercrazy
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Re: Elk Cove 7.21.14

Post by weathercrazy » July 23rd, 2014, 7:43 pm

This would be a great hike in one of those quite fogs.

Very be-settling!
jointhedance wrote:that fantastic, spooky-looking snag caught my eye too.

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Rustygoat
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Re: Elk Cove 7.21.14

Post by Rustygoat » July 28th, 2014, 4:23 pm

Very cool TR! I have been seeing a lot of Mt. Hood this year that I had never seen before...especially higher elevations. Awesome pictures, I'm looking forward to visiting Elk Cove myself to get my own. Thanks for sharing :)
Tim

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