Wilderness Boundary
The 4x4 road stops at the lake. - The 4x4 road stops at the lake.
Wilderness Boundary
Vine Maples II
I love this time of the year. - I love this time of the year.
Vine Maples I
I love this time of the year. - I love this time of the year.
View to the West
View of Tomorrow's Route
Up onto that ridge. - Up onto that ridge.
View of Previous Day's Hike
Packwood Lake at left. - Packwood Lake at left.
View of Lookout Mountain
Our original destination before the trees changed our plan on day 1. - Our original destination before the trees changed our plan on day 1. We would have been camping somewhere on the left ridge sloping down from the peak.
View of Hawkeye Point
Unusual Fungus
It looked almost fuzzy. - It looked almost fuzzy, yet solid.
Tree ID: Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis): Needles
Key identifiers: yellow-green needles 1.5-2.5 inches long, 5 needles per bunch, and growing range. Needles from same tree as bark pictured.
Tree ID: Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis): Bark
Key identifiers: not distinctive, rather smooth, gray/whitish plates, and growing range. Bark from same tree as needles pictured.
Tree ID: Oregon Oak (Quercus garryana)
Not the best example, but served well enough for post-hike identification. - Not the best example, but served well enough for post-hike identification.
Tiny Fir
I don't think it will grow past adolescence. - I don't think it will grow past adolescence.
The Trail We Didn't Take
Hmm, going back over all those trees? No. - Hmm, going back over all those trees? No.