The Hills Are Alive (With The Sound Of Music)

Just returned from my first big hike of the season, a 10.5-mile loop trip to Chucksney Mountain on the McKenzie-Willamette divide between Blue River and Oakridge. Probably bit off more than I could chew on this first excursion: the muscles were sore and the bug bites aplenty. 

Described in the Sullivan manifesto as an "invigorating" and "difficult" loop, the trail "climbs along forested ridges to the crest of Chucksney Mountain (elevation 5,700), where it ambles through delightful summit meadows with views of the Three Sisters (below)." Lots of wildflowers in bloom, including blue aster, larkspur, foxglove, tiger lily, pearly everlasting and paintbrush.

Left Eugene about 9:30 a.m. for the two-hour drive to the trailhead with friend and climbing/hiking partner Steve Still. Took awhile to get my legs -- probably about a mile -- and then we were off as I warmed up. Thank goodness for my iPod. Nothing like a little hard-driving rock and roll by The Who to help march my sorry butt up to the summit.

All in all, it was a good first outing. The bad news is I was a little worse for wear at the end of the day: rather stiff muscles, numerous mosquito bites and a blister on the back of my left heel (the boots were already broken in; the feet were not.). The good news is that I'm nearly fully recovered after 24 hours of rest and recuperation, and ready for the next one.