Just returned from my last training hike with friend Frank Czubiak before tackling a 75-mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington next week. My mission: Olallie Mountain. Huckleberry bushes are a predominant ground cover along the way; indeed, "olallie" is said to be Chinook jargon for "berry."
As you can see, the views are outstanding of the Three Sisters (above, South Sister) and at least eight other significant peaks. The trail has good tread through old growth forest and flowery meadows and is a moderate climb of 1,200 feet spread over four miles to the abandoned lookout site on the summit of Olallie Mountain (elevation 5,700).
One of the last two remaining lookouts on the Three Sisters Wilderness, the building on Olallie Mountain (right) is serviceable if you're trying to avoid inclement weather, but not much more.The windows and rangefinder are intact, but my hunch is that chipmunks and mice are the primary tenants of the old structure.
Actually, I was a little surprised that the Forest Service allows the structure to remain. Even back in the late 70s, the government had concerns about liability issues, so the Forest Service methodically conducted organized "burns" of old lookouts and other buildings like illegal "hunter cabins" located on government property.
The trail back down the mountain was particularly enjoyable because the huckleberries are in season.
1 comment:
awesome! so excited for you. hopefully you're not too pooped for your flight to visit me... remember, 14 hours :)
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