Herman Creek Pinnacles hike

Forever Young hikers went up the gorge to hike the Herman Creek Pinnacles.

It was about 6 miles round trip with a 1,000 ft. elevation gain. It was another lovely hike with varied landscape with falls, rivers and views.

There was a substantial bridge over Herman Creek.

It provided a lovely river views.

We trekked across two large talus slopes.

The trail climbs immediately and then veers west along the side of the slopes — offering occasional views of Cascade Locks, the Columbia river and Washington.

We came across this striking Lobster mushroom …

These “Rattlesnake Orchid” leaves poked through the leaves and mosses.

This climate is moss nirvana! I think we have an encyclopedic array of specimens. Just goes to show that every climate makes something happy! Those are baby Licorice Ferns poking through.

This was a really nice hike with just enough challenge to satisfy. We were all a little slap-happy on the drive home and sang along to the falsetto refrains of “Sherry Baby” … in an assortment of keys.

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Beauty and the Beast(s)

Oh late spring is a lovely time. I’m blase now about all the foliage, sunshine and warmth. The days are long and nature is lavish and gushing. The dogwood blooms have come and gone. The hostas are in full feather and peonies, rhodies and iris are going strong.

Were it that all things went as planned in the garden. *sigh* The bark dust mulch (from the trees I had felled in my yard last year) under my Chinese Elm is infested with mushrooms that resemble  ink cap mushrooms.

Alas, removal does not look easy! Any underplantings (tulips, ferns) would have a lot of competition!

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