I’ve hiked up Spencer Butte a few times, and I will a few times more. It seems like each time I go, I see something new. I thought the entire way would be foggy today, but I was pleasantly surprised at the top. I think I will try to hike this weekly…I want it to be easier, or at least not have to stop so many times on the way.
I never feel inclined to have lunch here, but it does seem like a nice place.
If you look closely, you might see gray haze way in the back, which is exactly what I expected to see.
This trail is so frequented and so well-maintained. I only saw about 10 or 12 people today, but it’s much busier on the weekends.
I went to REI yesterday because my hiking boots have been hurting my toes. I don’t think they are too small, until about halfway through the hike. So I told the clerk I needed shoes for a “barefoot for years” type of foot. He showed me the Altra shoe with that spacious toe box. Friends. It was heaven! The shoe is pretty flexible, so my feet are a little bit tired, but they don’t hurt like they have been! What a difference. I know what brand of shoe and boot I will be getting from now on. It’s the difference between a comfortable t-shirt and a bra. My toes were aaallll splayed out! Ha!
I started to see glimpses of sunlight, and hints of blue sky. I was excited to get to the top.
When I see this, I am both happy and groaning inwardly. This is the beginning of the end… Or the sign that I am almost to the top but I’m going to have to work to get there.
Close to the top, I can see Mount Hood so clearly!
It feels so very high up on the world, when you can look down on the clouds.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the top! Just a few more steps! And that blue sky…
At the top there is a bonus round. Usually, people are sitting up there so I don’t. Today however, it was free so I climbed up. It was great!
One side is still very hazy…
…And the other side is clearing up!
I could also see the three Sisters. Eventually, I would love to climb at least one of them. Probably the South Sister, aka, Charity… I think I would need special gear for the other two.
Only two other people on the peak right now. Very peaceful! It was a lot warmer up here, in the sun.
I forgot to take a selfie at the top, so here it is at the bottom, in my new Jeep. Oh, did I forget to tell you about that?
When I went to Madras a week ago or so, I had to go over the pass. Driving a Mini over the pass would have been very interesting if there was any snow – I mean, those things have a few inches of clearance and that’s it! And they can’t have chains, you can only use snow socks (which I bought for the trip).
Not only that, but to get to the trailhead, I had to drive down a one lane gravel road. It had potholes and semi-large rocks, as gravel roads do. Fun fact: did you know Minis don’t have a spare tire? There’s just no room for them. So if I got a flat, I was going to be in trouble. I was scraping the bottom of my poor little car, and sweating the whole way at 5 mph.
The day after I got back home, I went to the car lot. My lifestyle is different now, and I need a different vehicle to fit it. I saw the orange and fell in love:
After driving a Mini for 6 years, a Jeep Cherokee feels GINORMOUS! But I’m getting used to it. I’ll miss the great gas mileage and the zip, but I’m digging the heated seats and steering wheel, all the space in the world… and the safety and ability. I’m happy.
Distance: 2.4 miles; Elevation Gain: 776 feet
The Happy Viking 