Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,835
- 6,302
Took a little five-hour hike in the Cascade Foothills today, started out at about 1,400' and ended up at 3,500' in the snow. Decided to turn around when I was post holing up to my knees with every step. Snowshoes would have been useful, but it was time to turn around anyway. Saw a lot of mule deer does and yearlings. Saw some golden eagles too. Coyotes made an appearance, but out of range of my .44 revolver. Drat! Flushed a tight-holding grouse, so close I could feel the air rush against my skin. I was hiking in an area I frequently hunt in the fall, it burned last summer. Looks like it's coming back nicely from the burn, although the trees will take a generation to come back. Heck of an afternoon.
Here's some photos:
Twenty minutes from the truck I came across the first five mule deer, next to a burned up tree:
Couldn't help but become a bird watcher today. Had a golden eagle making runs on something I couldn't quite see:
Large herd of does and yearling mule deer:
Snow line is up around 3,400' or so on the north facing slopes:
Immature/young golden eagle. He came by several times to check on me. No other boot tracks, so it's likely been a while since anyone was in there:
Turn-Around mountain. Well, I decided to turn around here anyway. Kind of wanted to make it to the peak again today, but plunging knee-deep in snow with every step convinced me I was a few weeks too early. Guess I should have brought the snowshoes this time:
This doe and I caught sight of each other about the same time. If you look closely, you can see her yearling fawn's face between the branches of the fire-killed tree:
A little fuzzy, sorry 'bout that. Two young mule deer touching noses. Then the one that's standing lay down. It was pretty neat, but I was shaking a little and couldn't get a good photo:
Walked all five hours, three up, two down. Took a few breaks for photos and to look around with my binos. Another good half-day hike in the foothills. I like taking hikes in my local hunting areas year round. Keeps me sharp on locating game, and helps keep me in shape. My quads were shaking bad by the time I got down to the truck this afternoon. I'd cut off the trail on a steep descent on the way back - and it was tough!
Regards, Guy
Here's some photos:
Twenty minutes from the truck I came across the first five mule deer, next to a burned up tree:
Couldn't help but become a bird watcher today. Had a golden eagle making runs on something I couldn't quite see:
Large herd of does and yearling mule deer:
Snow line is up around 3,400' or so on the north facing slopes:
Immature/young golden eagle. He came by several times to check on me. No other boot tracks, so it's likely been a while since anyone was in there:
Turn-Around mountain. Well, I decided to turn around here anyway. Kind of wanted to make it to the peak again today, but plunging knee-deep in snow with every step convinced me I was a few weeks too early. Guess I should have brought the snowshoes this time:
This doe and I caught sight of each other about the same time. If you look closely, you can see her yearling fawn's face between the branches of the fire-killed tree:
A little fuzzy, sorry 'bout that. Two young mule deer touching noses. Then the one that's standing lay down. It was pretty neat, but I was shaking a little and couldn't get a good photo:
Walked all five hours, three up, two down. Took a few breaks for photos and to look around with my binos. Another good half-day hike in the foothills. I like taking hikes in my local hunting areas year round. Keeps me sharp on locating game, and helps keep me in shape. My quads were shaking bad by the time I got down to the truck this afternoon. I'd cut off the trail on a steep descent on the way back - and it was tough!
Regards, Guy
