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Posts from the “oregon” Category

McKenzie River Trail

Posted on October 19, 2026

Spent most of yesterday in the mountains just east of Eugene, on a trail run along the McKenzie River Trail and around Clear Lake. I’ve been going to Clear Lake for years now and find it a beautiful place, nestled among the lava flows, a few giant sequoias and many vine maple trees. Yesterday was simply beautiful. Photos below. The trail itself is a trail along a “National Wild and Scenic River,” the McKenzie River and the trail parallels the river for most of it. It starts just north of Clear Lake and my goal was to run from the parking lot, around Clear Lake, and back. This is the bridge at the start of the run that goes across a dry creek bed.…

Rainbow Ridge 20k & 50k

Posted on October 11, 2026

Yesterday I volunteered at the Rainbow Ridge 20k & 50k Trail Run which took place up the McKenzie River about a two hour drive from home. The runners endured the beautiful trails and worked so hard at this . . . it was impressive. Photos below: I stopped at a boat launch to use a forest service restroom and took this photo. In the distance is remnants of the wildfire from 2020 known as the Holiday Farm Fire. It was huge and caused a lot of damage. Six years on, though, and nature is returning. The air was cool this morning, with some sunlight coming from behind me as I looked West. There are many covered bridges in rural parts of Oregon, including this…

The Good Rain*

Posted on September 4, 2026

It is back and it is always good. My rain boot from my bike commute yesterday. I bike to work each day with the exception of three instances: when there is ice, snow or wildfire smoke. Fortunately there was not yesterday and the ride was beautiful. Rain here does not dump most of the time, which makes it all manageable. In addition, this rain is actually very early for us as it typically does not begin until mid to late September. We need it though as it stopped raining in June this year and even though we are known for having a lot of rain, during the summer months the Pacific Northwest is one of the dryest areas of the country. *this is from…

Pamelia Lake, 2026 edition

Posted on August 20, 2026

Another summer, another backpacking trip to Pamelia Lake with Nora. We discussed the fact that this was our 6th year of doing this, the first being 2019, with 2020 being a year away from going here. It’s the place my father worked as a fire-watch during the summers of 1947 and 1948 as well, before it became part of the Jefferson Wilderness Area. We had a lovely trip again with hints of fall arriving at night as we were camped at 4000 feet above sea level. The hike up to the top was tough as always, but worth it. Photos below: At the entrance to the wilderness area. Pameilia Lake was really but a pond this year as the water levels over the winter…

Solstice

Posted on December 23, 2024

One of my two running groups, the UO Noon Runners, has been doing a “Solstice Run” for years, and this Saturday was the event. We all meet at a predetermined time and run to the top of Mt. Pisgah to ring in the solstice, preferably at the exact moment of the Solstice. This year was slightly different because the main trail to the top of Pisgah was closed due to construction. So we met at a place called “Swing Hill,” where a swing allows one to see the expanse of the Willamette Valley. I ran early with John and Tim. We did a loop from the east parking lot to the summit and then met the group at the north lot for the run/hike…