Lori, Jeanette and I got out for a short hike of Barlow Butte. This was a shake down hike to get ready for winter hiking and snowshoeing. We were all recovering from injuries so a slow short hike was just right (4 miles, 1500 gain). Cold freezing temps but nice clear skies and very little wind. For Lori this was the first time to see this trail without snow on it.
No one else around. They were all down at the new Mirror Lake Trailhead.
We are use to seeing this sign when we are standing on 3 ft. of snow. It looks really tall right now.
Most time we are here the table is covered by snow.
We were bundled up as we headed out.
This trail intersection has a stream running through it in the winter. I always assumed it was spring fed but it was bone dry today.
Heading across the low land before beginning the up hill.
Not much water in the creek. Winter time this has a flow of water in it.
After leaving the creek the up hill begins.
Junction of Barlow Butte and Mineral Jane Ski Trail. For out snowshoes we normally go on the Mineral Jane Trail.
The trail starts out fairly level and then gets real steep. It is a walk in the woods to the top.
The last of the fungus were out. We found a few frozen Mushrooms.
When the Vanilla Leaf dies back it looks like little Caspar the ghost along the ground.
No View of Hood from the top but it looks over to White Salmon River Valley.
No Running the ridge today. Just short and simple hike. Time to find out what is working and is not and what we forgot.
You look over to Bonny Butte and maybe Gunsight Ridge.
Jeanette was ready for food so she start right in.
Time to drop packs and enjoy some sun.
The summit has a nice open area with sun and rocks to sit on.
This was an out and back and pretty straight forward.
There are some areas that have had a large die off of trees and are just waiting for a fire.
Last climb up the hill to the car.
A few more cars in the parking lot as we got back. The only people we saw were right at the end of the hike.