Easy Backpacking

July 30, 2016

Easy Backpacking

Easy Backpacking Trip

July 29th - 30th, 2016
Umbrella Falls, Mt Hood Oregon
off Hwy 35, just below Meadows
Distance: just shy of 4miles
EG: Started at 4650, climbed up to 5250 at Umbrella falls. 600ft EG over 1.7 miles

Hood River Meadow

So we went out looking for some easy backpacking trips for a friend of mine that wants to give it a go. So who better to take than my fearless side kick and my trusty pup. We decided to venture out on a trail i have never been on, heading up to Umbrella falls.

Excited about having her pic taken

Our adventure started by arriving at the Elk Meadows Trailhead Parking lot, just below Mt Hood Meadows. But instead of taking the Elk Meadows trail, we went by way of Sahalie Falls 0.4 miles to the falls. We continued on a beautiful trail another 1.1 miles up to the Umbrella Falls Trail. Hung a left and headed up to Umbrella Falls about 0.2 miles with a grand total of 1.7 miles hiked. We set up camp and made dinner. The bugs were horrendous this year, even the pup got terrorized. Ive heard about it being bad this year, but I think some of it has to do with the time of year and where we were at, as well.

I was pretty tired, as I wasnt feeling well to begin with, so we went to bed early much to my daughter's dismay. The pup slept in my hammock with me, of which he grumbled about every single noise my daughter was making, as she was bored. Lol. Overall, he slept great in the hammock, though a little grumpy. I was truly happy about being out in the middle of know where enjoying the solitude, I dont think I could be any happier.

Camp

The next morning we were up at daylight and were waiting for some friends to meet up with us to join us for a day hike. So since we had a few hours after breakfast we decided to do some exploring. Upon exploring we went to the top of the water fall and saw some buildings, much to my dismay we were camped right below the parking lot of Mt Hood meadow. Literally a stone's throw away. Ugh. So much for solitude. Also, it didnt take long for my phone to start blowing up with messages. Sigh... so much for stepping away.

Umbrella Falls

I quickly called my girlfriend, since we had service. Changed the meet up plans, and have them drive up to Mt Hood Meadows park there, and after we complete the hike, I would drive her back to car. Might as well make lemonade out of our lemon problem. So they reached us a lot quicker and we got more time together, win win for us.

After quickly making it back to camp and packing up were ready to go when they got there. Unfortunately on the trek back my pup and my daughter had a rough time with bee stings, and scraped up knees. Chey tripped over a log twice, and got stung once, the pup got stung three times. Turns out there's a wasp nest under the handles of the bridge crossing the river. Needless to say neither were very happy about being out on the trail after that. Thankfully for Chey, friends showed up so she had someone to distract her. the pup just continued to get grumpier.

Once our friends showed up we took off down the trail 1.6 miles to Elk Meadow Jct and 0.4 miles back to the trailhead. To short for the adults, but seemed to be just right for the kids.