Viewpoint Mike

Before we begin this new posting, Glenn forgot to include a cute Katie picture from our last adventure in Brookings.  While Glenn was getting some snacks and drinks out of the ice chest in the back of the car, Katie gave him a cute look from the back seat and since she usually doesn't hold still for pictures, we consider ourselves lucky to have gotten this snapshot.

Anything in that ice chest for me???

Ok, enough of the "cute" puppy pictures (for now).  On to the current hike......

This past week in Southern Oregon has seen quite a change in weather.  In place of fog and high temps in the 30's, we now have blue skies, sunshine and record breaking temperatures!!  So we took advantage of all this sunshine and ventured out for a hike on a trail that we last did back in 2009 - Viewpoint Mike.

As the name implies, the trail leads to a viewpoint.  Which leads to this thought --- do the majority of trails to viewpoints go uphill or downhill???  The answer for Viewpoint Mike is on the uphill side of that equation.  Maybe that is why we haven't hiked this trail since 2009? Or could it be that near the beginning of the trail we found the bone remains of something or someone??

Not a good thing to find at the start of an uphill trail!

 Even though the trail is only a couple of miles, it is a steady uphill grade that climbs around 1,000  feet. There were also two very different types of trail segments as we hiked today. The open meadow segments with scattered oak trees, featured a very muddy trail and were extremely warm due to the 70 degree weather today,  Tall grass lined these portions and were loaded with some very friendly ticks just waiting for someone to pass by. The pine forested segments were shaded and featured a pine needle covered trail.  Some sections still had ice and frost on the ground.

The arrow points left, but the hiker is going to the right - which way do you go???

A  forested segment of the trail

After just over an hour of hiking, we arrived at Viewpoint Mike which provided us with a clear and beautiful view of Lost Creek Lake and the surrounding hills.  The lake is very low and there were exposed areas in the middle of the lake that we have not seen before.  It was still a beautiful view.

The view of Lost Creek Lake from viewpoint Mike

Katie taking in the view from Viewpoint Mike (notice the leash is still on!)

We enjoyed the viewpoint and took in the sunshine, quietness and beauty.  Even Katie liked the view (or wanted to go swim in the lake).  The trail back down was much easier and went by quickly.  We were all very tired and hungry after our hike so we made a stop at Phil's Frosty in Shady Cove.  We got a chocolate malt and a blackberry shake - delicious!  (If you ever drive through Shady Cove, just look for the pink building off Highway 62)   It was a nice way to cool off after another great hike.  Till next time....

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

P.S. Yes, Katie got left out at Phil's Frosty. So to make up for that, here is another "cute" puppy picture.  Yes, we were holding food out in front of her to get this pose and if you look close enough, you will see the reflection of Glenn's new fluorescent hiking shirt in Katie's eye.  This is not photo-shopped.

Cute puppy