Hells Canyon Trip

My friend Creighton and I have a motorcycle trip planned to Hells Canyon. I'm really looking forward to this. The roads I have planned are supposed to be excellent motorcycle roads.

The basic route is Sumner to Chinook pass, then east to Lewiston, ID. South to Joseph, OR, then to Wallowa lake. From there east to Hells canyon and and eventually down to the Snake River itself. Back west to Baker City for the 2nd night. From their, depending on weather and how we feel we can just head north along I-84 but what I'm really hoping we can do is head west to highway 39 which supposed to be an absolutely perfect motorcycle road. Either way we eventually end up near Pendleton and then go west to The Dalles for night 3. From their a little further west then north up the Wind River road. North to pass along the east side of Mt. St. Helens and then eventually continue north until home.

Here is a map and some details of the trip.

Wallace Falls

2007 Wallace Falls Hike

Well, it's not an epic hike by any means but I wanted to get out and do something so I chose Wallace Falls. It is actually a state park and so I didn't have very high expectations. I was pleasantly surprised though. This is actually a very nice trail and is perfect for this time of year. Everything is very green right now and the trail is low enough in elevation that snow is not a concern.

The trail was also in remarkably good shape considering all the rain. Just watch out for all the people. It's a pretty popular hike

Pinnacles National Monument

Pinnacles National Monument

While in the San Fransico area, I visited the Pinnacles National Monument. To be honest, I didn't expect too much but it ended up being one of my all time favorite national park experiences.

We took a 6+ mile trail that went through the heart of the pinnacles and the trail was incredible. It goes right through the rock cliffs and the trail actually has a good deal of exposure. It does have hand rails in that area (it's a national park after all) but it was really cool.

He's Not My President

"In the counsels of Government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the Military Industrial Complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together."

- President Eisenhower - January 1961

Crystal Mountain Snowshoeing

REI gave us a day off today to go either skiing or snowshoeing. I went with the snowshoe group and had a great time.

The weather forecast did not look too great but we ended up having great weather; no wind at all and just clouds coming and going. Perfect weather for a snowshoe trip. Here are some of the pictures.