New Track Posted

New new issue of Backpacker magazine has two of my trail report/tracks featured on the New Trails Near You spread. One is the already mentioned Larch Mountain Crater trail in the Columbia River Gorge. The other is the newly-posted Wildcat Mountain trail, southwest of Mt. Hood. This trail is harder to find than to hike, as there are several confusing forest roads to navigate. Once on the trail, its an easy tromp up a hillside to a fork, where the left route leads to a beargrass and wildflower meadow with stunning views of Mt. Hood, and the right route takes you to the top of Wildcat Mountain and the site of an old fire lookout. From here, catch views of numerous NW Cascade volcanoes, and a little further on, to a ridgetop rock garden strewn with summer wildflowers and more mountain views. Check out the full report, photos, GPS track and directions here...