This is slightly delayed but there are so many gorgeous photos to be shared, I just had to post this.
I arrived back in Winthrop mid October. First house sitting at Jae and Mark’s ranch on the East Chewuch, I got to hang out with the cats and horses.
The weather was still nice and the hiking and running fantastic on dry trails.
Pipestone Canyon, which can be hot and full of rattlesnakes in the summer, was perfect.
My usual route around the East Chewuch takes me around Pearrygin Lake.
The first snow arrived the beginning of November just when Keyla and I explored the burn scar from the summer’s Cub Creek fire.
That hike turned into a longer one, around Buck Mountain, and we even got a bit cold in the wind (usually I’m always fine as long as I move).
Patterson Mointain, of course, is a favourite in all seasons.
The top just received some artwork, a mosaic done by Laura Ruud!
Mid October, Rita and I managed a trip up Tiffany Mountain to enjoy the views. It’s about a 3hr, 8.8km hike to the ridge and back. The top is at 8242ft.
There were hikes down to the Chewuch River …
More time along Pearrygin Lake on the Rex Derr Trail …
And Jack’s Trail in Mazama without snow (usually we only see it as a ski trail).
Skiing only started mid December, by which time I was back in Pine Forest.
Then Santa arrived 🎅
I was lucky to spend the rest of the winter in Winthrop, only about 4min drive from the skate ski trails which I took full advantage of!
Amazing photos! Thanks for sharing your adventures.
A bit late but I was just too busy this winter 😁 Glad you like them!
Biggi: Absolutely beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing these — most of these hikes are unfamiliar, although the climb up Tiffany Mountain reminded me of our 2003 trip, right after the Okanagan Mountain fire, when we camped at Klipchuk and a fire came down the ridge during our day hike up Easy Pass. Just as we got back to the campground, it was closed, as the fire was on its way down Driveway Butte. We put the tent and all of our stuff in the car and took off for a night in the cabins in town. While making our way up the Tiffany trail, helicopters were buzzing above us, putting out fires. Your pictures, especially those around Pearrygin Lake are so wonderful, makes me want to be there! Glad you had so much time in one of the most beautiful valleys in the west. Alles gut!
So happy to hear from you! Did you have a good winter? When are you back up here? And Winthrop is always worth a trip … pack up the car and go 🙂