Stretch those legs…

It won’t be long until our long awaited trek to Moab, Utah –backpacking in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. We’re expecting 70s by day and 40s by night and a complete change of scene. For now it’s still wonderful to soak in Oregon Spring.

We headed for Elk Creek for a hike up to the ridge. Along the way we were treated to the sound of water still dripping through ferns and moss that would be only damp in another month. The ground was speckled with polka-dots of yellow violets. An occasional trillium greeted us. Shaggy clumps of bear grass hinted at the display of flower heads they would produce in summer. My calves burned as we gained a elevation. Yes, I needed a good leg-stretcher. While the trail wandered through dappled sun and shade, after about five miles, we broke into full sun at the ridge. The breeze was cool and there were still small patches of snow glistening in the sun.

This will be my last local warm-up hike before Canyonlands. I will charge camera batteries, prepare memory cards and pack essentials. I am excited for the change of color pallet, the songs of heat-loving birds, the warm and dry air, and the scent of desert.  But I will welcome the embrace of Oregon’s cool damp forest when my have grown weary of sand and I turn toward home.