Herman Creek to Eagle Creek

A day of huge accomplishment for the these boys! So impressed!

Here's the summary of our hike:
Details
Distance: 8miles/20 miles
Elevation Gain: 1000ft/2200ft
Location: Columbia River Gorge
Attendance: Boy Scout Hike - Me, Elway, Sage, Ethan V, Dylan V, Alex T & Mitch T
Start time: hit trail at 7:20am arrived back at end by 5:30pm.

So let me first say how proud I am of these boys! These boys are all about completing the hiking merit badge, and it turned it to so much more for some of them! They all had a blast, they impressed even themselves on their accomplishments, and they are anxiously awaiting the backpacking merit badge starting next year. WOW!

Big Announcement

Ethan V completed the 100miles needed for the National Outdoor Hiking Badge!!

Elway completed his last requirement for his National Outdoor Hiking Badge, 100 Miles!!

Sage completed the 20mile hike today for his Hiking Merit badge, finish the physical part of his requirement for this badge!

Alex T completed his last physical requirement of 10 miles for his Hiking Merit Badge!!

Now to the hike.....Todays hike was about getting the last of the requirements done for the hiking merit badge, little did we know when started it, that the other two had completed the 100miles, until we sat down and did the math over ice cream.

This morning we started at the Herman Creek TH and hiked up to the PCT! Sage and I were pretty excited, as we had not done that part of the PCT before, so it was neat to step back on to the PCT, especially after last weekends festivities. Our hike thru this section was pretty uneventful, a downed tree, a frog, a newt, and lots of spiders. The weather started out questionable, I was wondering if it was going to rain on us, instead of the hot temps we were expecting, but it turns out everything was ok.

We have hiked from Dry Creek falls down to the Cascade Locks, but we hadnt done the short section from Herman Creek to Dry Creek. One section at a time, I say. We will complete the PCT hike, one day. 

View of Cascade Locks from the PCT

We followed the PCT down to Cascade Locks where we connected with the Gorge #400 trail. I know why I have never done this part of the trail before...it follows close to the I84, and you hear the freeway the whole time, which makes it really hard to hear the person in front/behind you. If it wasnt for needing to get to Eagle Creek from where we were, I would avoid that section in the future. It was nice that the option was there, though.

 Also, it was neat to get to step on the NEW muti-use path that is going to be finished here soon. Pdx to Cascade locks, next years cycling adventures are coming this way. On a side note, they had the grand opening of the trail just down the street from where we were, for another section of this muti-use trail opening. I read that they anticipate it will be completely finished by October 2013! Yep, thats this year folks. For my cycling buddies, we have got to do this!

Multi-use path between Eagle Creek and Cascade Locks

We made it to Eagle Creek just after 11am for lunch. Here is where we met up with the rest of the group needing there 10miles. If you are wondering about the math. Yes, the first part of the hike was only 8miles. The 2nd part of the hike is actually 12miles. After lunch, my hubby took me back to my car, while the rest of the gang hiked the Eagle Creek trail to Tunnel Falls and back.

The great thing about having boys join in half way through the hike, is they are all refreshed and ready to go, which brings an energy to those that are already tired. These boys are all good pals, so it worked out even better. So very proud of this group.

While I hung back with hubby and my daughter, we had the chance to check out some of the salmon spawning. What a sad but natural process.