Summertime Adventuring around Mt. Hood

I enjoyed a very fun summertime adventure this past weekend with some girls and dogs that I like a lot. Cooper, Andrea, Vicki and I took the scenic route from Hood River to the southwest side of the Mt. Hood wilderness, driving over Lolo Pass. It really IS about the journey!

Andrea, Cooper and Vicki pose with Mt. Hood

Dog tricks & Erin in Andrea's armpit

After catching up with the rest of our crew, we set up camp in the woods near the Ramona Falls Trailhead, and planned to chill out for the evening and hike to Ramona Falls in the A.M.

Reggie & Cooper

With a fresh drink in hand, we walked part of the Sandy River/Ramona Falls Trail. Cooper and Sam were having a great time romping around.

Samothy

We found a cool hangout spot with a great view of the river and enjoyed the sunshine and sounds of the river and woods.

Cheers-ola!

Sandy River Ding

We enjoyed some campfire salmon burgers and hot dogs, caesar and couscous salad, wine, beer, tequilla, raspberry vodka, chocolate and fruit. Who could ask for anything more?

Sunday morning, post-coffee group shot (Vicki, Cooper, Andrea, Sam, Reggie, Erin, Me)

Andrea sleeps like the dead, so she missed all the commotion in the middle of the night. Around 3am, a fleet of rigs rolled up the dirt road. I thought they were very motivated fisherman. Then the generator turned on and never went off. What the hell? It turns out that someone was hurt about 8 miles up the trail, and the rigs were Search & Rescue vehicles and ambulances. The Ramona Falls Trail was going to be closed til the afternoon, so we broke camp and decided on another hike. It's always good to have Reggie around. She recommended Burnt Lake and the hike really made my weekend. :)

Me and my agile little buddy

Cooper had a GREAT time on the trail. He amused and amazed us with his agility on trail obstacles. He plowed right through muddy puddles and rippling creeks and was awesome at jumping over downed logs. He would even jump over the same obstacle multiple times, just to hear us cheer for him again. (cute!)

It's a Spotted Fuzz-n-wuzz!

The Burnt Lake Trail itself is one of the most enjoyable that I've hiked in a long time. On the trail, we enjoyed a few tequilla flask toasts to us while standing on some of the last snow left from our big winter. Burnt Lake itself was pretty and tranquil and we found a nice hangout spot on a giant, rotting, partly submerged tree. We enjoyed some crackers and hummus (Andrea is the food-in-the-woods person that you need to have around—trust me).

Tired Spotted Fuzz-n-wuzz!

We enjoyed a few post-hike beers at the trailhead and then headed back over Lolo Pass, enjoying the "Crooners" CD that my Dad made for me. "What's new pussycat, whoa-o-o-o-o-o-o?" GREAT weekend. THANKS, ladies! :)