20s and 30s, Huckleberries, and Mirror Lake

We kicked off our new “20s and 30s” section with a hike to Mirror Lake and Tom Dick and Harry Mountain this weekend and had a great time!  It was sprinkling on and off on our way to the Mountain, but the six of us and our three dogs decided to go for it anyway!

It was a quick climb to mirror lake where we had lunch as the fog rolled in and out on the lake, then we ventured up to the top of Tom Dick and Harry Mountain.  Clouds kept us from seeing Mt. Hood, but being up in the clouds was still a lot of fun and the company made it all worth it.

We took our time on the way down and stopped for about an hour and picked several quarts of huckleberries!

We also hiked around Mirror Lake before heading back to the cars and then junketing up to Government Camp where we had the Huckleberry Inn’s ”world famous” huckleberry milkshakes and then dinner and beers at the Ratskellar. Awesome day!

Let us know if you want to be added to our list of 20 and 30 year-olds for announcements of future events.  E-mail Robin Evertt (robin.everett@sierraclub.org) or Brian Pasko (brian.pasko@sierraclub.org). You can see more photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/brian.pasko/MirrorLakeAugust2009#.

A Fun Time at Latourell Falls

Sunday the Beyond Coal Campaign hiked the Latourell Falls trail in the Columbia River Gorge. The hike was 2.3 miles with a 600 ft elevation gain. We saw both Upper and Lower Latourell Falls, and talked about the species of plants and flowers along the trial. We stopped for lunch at a picnic area almost at the end of the trail. We ate and talked about the dangers of the Boardman coal plant and wrote letters to PGE’s CEO Mr. Piro urging him to phase out the Boardman plant. It was a great hike filled with fun people, interesting discussions, and beautiful waterfalls.

Adventure at Ramona Falls

Awesome hike at Ramona Falls in the Mount Hood Wilderness today!  Cool temps, cool people, and lots of sun!  It was about a 6 miles round trip to the falls and back with about a 1000 feet of elevation gain.  The trail was full of other hikers, 3 horses, and lots of very happy dogs!  Mary Vogel provided lots of interesting botany lessons, and there were plenty of conversations about Oregon’s energy future, stopping the Palomar Pipeline from clearcutting a 120 foot wide, 47 mile long clearcut across the Mt. Hood National Forest (see our previous blog post), and more! Join Brian and rose Vickery on our next outing along the Clackamas River on August 16th!

Outing Preview: August 16th Palomar Pipeline Clackamas Crossing

On Wednesday, Chapter director Brian Pasko, LNG intern Rose Vickery, and Columbia Riverkeeper conservation director Dan Serres headed out to the Clackamas Riverside Trail. We were scouting the trail for the outing, scheduled August 16th, and were blown away by the disregard NW Natural and affiliates are showing for this area.

A few of the trees that lie directly in the pipeline's path.

This amazing patch of forest sits on the new route of the proposed Palomar pipeline. In other words, these stunningly beautiful, amazingly large Douglas firs and hemlocks could be replaced by a 120 foot wide, 47 mile long clear-cut through the heart of the Mt. Hood National Forest.

If you’re passionate about Mount Hood, or curious about Liquefied Natural Gas, this is the hike for you. Join Brian Pasko, Rose Vickery, and Sierra Club anti-LNG organizers for a day hike to the proposed crossing point for the wild & scenic Clackamas River. Click here to see photos.

We’ll walk to the crossing point, complete with magnificent old-growth Douglas firs, and then eat lunch by the river while we discuss the impacts that the Palomar Pipeline would have on this area, and what you can do to help the Sierra Club stop the pipeline!

Approaching a survey marker for the pipeline's proposed route

Bring swimwear and water shoes if you are interested in swimming opportunities in the Clackamas River. Well behaved dogs are allowed on this hike with the permission of the outings leader.

For those coming from the Portland area: We will meet at the Sierra Club Office (1821 SE Ankeny) to carpool at 10 am. Please bring plenty of water and a bag lunch.

For those coming from parts East: We will be hiking out from the Clackamas Riverside Trailhead on Sunday, at about 11:30 am. If you would like to see another area impacted by the Palomar Pipeline while on your way, Timothy Lake abuts the Pacific Crest Trail at the point where the Palomar Pipeline would cross this iconic trail, and is a good spot to camp! Hope to see you there.

To pre-register, or if you’ve got questions, contact Rose Vickery: rose.vickery@oregon.sierraclub.org or (203) 889-8157.

Tillamook Forest Hike

The July 25 outing to the Tillamook State Forest proved to be a beautiful vacation from Portland. We walked the Wilson River Trail and visited the Tillamook Forest Center before doing a short loop along the Trask River.  We saw forest in all stages of growth, mature as well as recently clear-cut. The forest was shady and there were ripe thimbleberries along the trail. When stopping for lunch we saw yearling salmon and the cold water proved great for cooling off. We talked about forest history and its importance to Oregon now.

The Wilson River

NATURAL FIRST AID OPTIONS

Minor First Aid… Some Natural Remedies

If you’ve ever wondered what natural remedies might be helpful on your outings, here’s a list of a few possibilities to add to your existing first aid kit:

(The following list is simply informational, and not meant as medical advice.  Consult your local healthcare practitioner for additional information.)

Homeopathic medicines are those which are made in very specific way and can be identified by a number followed by a letter (e.g. 3X, 6X, 12C, 30C, 200C etc.) Most oral preparations are available over-the-counter and given in 30C potency.  Oral pellets are taken a few pellets at a time and allowed to dissolve under the tongue.  They are inexpensive, convenient to carry and available at most natural health food stores and supermarkets.

Arnica. Arnica is a plant which grows in a variety of climates.  It is the number one natural remedy for tissue bruises and injuries without open wounds.  The gel or cream can be used topically to lessen the severity of tissue bruising and swelling.  Arnica may be taken orally in a single dose of 30C or 200C at the time of injury.

Apis.  This homeopathic remedy is taken orally and is often  helpful for reducing the swelling and redness of minor bee or wasp stings.  This is not meant as a substitute for an Epi-pen.

Belladonna. This homeopathic remedy is taken orally and often is helpful for reducing the immediate symptoms of heat stroke, flushing heat, earaches and deep throbbing pain.  This is not meant as a substitute for other first aid treatments.

Cantharis. This homeopathic remedy is taken orally and often is helpful for reducing the immediate symptoms for burns and scalds.  This is not meant as a substitute for topical treatments.

Ledum. This homeopathic remedy is taken orally and is often helpful for lessening the symptoms from puncture wounds due to insect bites (like mosquitoes), snakes, barbed wire and occasionally for black eyes.  Specific homeopathic remedies are available for particular snake venoms.

Rhus Tox. This homeopathic remedy is taken orally and is often helpful for reducing the immediate reaction of redness and blistering due to poison ivy, oak, etc.

Silica. This homeopathic remedy is taken orally and often is helpful for enabling splinters, cactus needles, porcupine quills, etc. to be expelled from the body. This remedy is typically not used with individuals having any implants or metal pins.

Other Natural Remedies. Often antidotes for plant poisons can be found growing within a short distance from the offending plant.  For example, plantain can often be found growing beneath stinging nettles.  A plantain poultice can be very helpful in alleviating the symptoms of stinging nettle exposure.  So, if you hike often  in a particular area, it can be helpful to learn some of these plant combinations.

There are many resources available for learning more about natural remedies –consult your local licensed natural health care practitioner  if you have additional questions or a specific interest.  Feel free to add your favorites to the list!

Dr. Karen Benton, ND

Tillamook Summer Events

Hey Oregonians, come adventure with the Sierra Club and learn about the
public state forest right here in our backyard! Here are three awesome free
opportunities coming up!!!

August 27th 7:30pm Tillamook Forest Slideshow and Movie Night.  See a slideshow of the amazing and wonderful Tillamook State Forest and watch Hustle & Fish, a fishing movie made by a local filmmaker. Beer and snacks provided.

September 9th 8am The September Board of Forestry Meeting is in Salem. Come down and support clean forests and rivers. We do not need more clear-cutting in the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests and we need to tell the Board that.

September 26th Come help clean up one the most beautiful rivers in the area and have an amazing lunch at the Wilson River Clean-up

All events are family friendly and fun! Hikes will meet at 9 am at the Sierra Club office in Portland (1821 SE Ankeny St) or 10:30am at the trailhead (TBA) and will end before 5pm.

Contact Jeff at jeff.hickman@sierraclub.org or call (503) 238-0442 ext 306 to sign up or get more information.

Table Rock Wilderness Hike

Seven of us and a dog tackled the Table Rock Wilderness near Molalla today.  A difficult hike of about 7 miles and 2800 feet of elevation gain, but worth it for all its rewards: stunning Wildflowers at the base of Rooster Rock and the great views of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, the Three Sisters, and more.

We also had some great discussions about the Sierra Club’s support of efforts to designate the Molalla River a Wild and Scenic River (which we drove along on the way to the Wilderness), and about the clearcutting on private lands just outside the Wildereness Boundary.  Check out more photos at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/brian.pasko/TableRockWildernessJuly2009#

The Owyhee Canyonlands: Epic

Wednesday July 1 began an adventure of epic proportions to the Owyhee Canyonlands.  This was a High Desert Committee outing to explore an area that the Sierra Club is working to permanently protect for its wilderness character.  Most of the long trip down from Portland was spent alternately sleeping and watching the landscape go by. Going from the rainy, western part of Oregon to the high desert of the eastern part of the state was incredible.

We stop to look at the scenery

We make camp and love life.

Love the View

Day 2: We hike to natural hot springs up the canyon. Weather proves to be interesting and provides a spectacular thunderstorm. Also learned what stinging nettles are.

Along the Hike to Hot Springs

The warm waterfall/shower/massager. Awesome.

Day 3: Leslie Gulch. I though we were in actually in Utah.

Java the Hut Rock

most incredible rocks ever

More Sweet Rocks

Summer Interns Sarah and Risa in Juniper Gulch

Day 3: We go see a historic ranch and a really cool valley and go see a lava flow. and craters. really amazing craters.

Rock Formations

Check out the Crater!

Day 4: We head back to Portland. but first. . .

Sunrise in the Valley

The Owyhee is one of the most beautiful places in Oregon, and going there was awesome. We saw fish, antelope, rabbits, and so many birds and bugs I could not believe it. The sage country is what I think of when I think of the American West, and the Owyhee is truly incredible. We came back exhausted and in awe.

Bald Eagle Nest -Sauvie Island

Participants in the June 20 Family Nature Walk at Oak Island (Sauvie Island) had a special opportunity to view two juvenile bald eagles in a nest along with one of the parents.  Other species of birds were also very prevalent.  Bring your binoculars and head out to Sauvie Island to enjoy the outdoors!