The more remote side of Owyhee Country

 Last week Bobbe and I traveled to Anderson's Crossing on the West Fork of the Owyhee River. It is about 9 miles north of Nevada and 15 miles west of Idaho.  

Like so many  of our trips this one had several adventures along the way.  It is about 36 miles from hwy 78 on a great BLM road to the campsite.  About 20 or 25 miles in one of the tires on my NEW Power Wagon blew out.  In the 55 years I have been driving roads like this this is the first time I have had a blow out.  The Goodyear tires that came on the truck had only 670 miles. 

One dead tire

Attempting to catch up on posts "Rafting the Owyhee River 2024"

April 9-13 Bobbe and I rafted the Owyhee River in SE Oregon. We put in at Rome, Oregon and take out was at Birch Creek Ranch. Ouzel Outfitters from Bend was our outfitter. Oh such a great crew and group of like minded people to spend five days on the river. The Owyhee was running from 6,000 to 10,000 cfs. Because of the high water level there were very few rocks to attempt to avoid. Most of them were under several feet of water. We averaged between 5 and 6 mph and a high speed about 13 mph in one section. For the most part the sun was out and weather was warm. Now it is time to work on Bobbe to find another river to drift. Here are a few photos of the trip.

Breakfast at Rome Landing

Dr. Gordon Grant, our geologist for the trip

What can I say, great crew, and great weather

The geology of the Middle section of the Owyhee is very diverse and interesting.  

It is believed that people have lived here for over 9,000 years.

The river and canyon was so beautiful

The 

Northwest Nevada, 2019

With weather cooling off and snow falling in the Cascades finally I thought it would be interesting to extend our travels to NW Nevada, high desert.  This is some of the most remote areas in the country.  I had a chance to purchase a Garmin In Reach Mini.  It is a satellite communication device.  It permits my family to know where I am regardless of cellular coverage.  Technology is making travel in remote areas and maintain communications with others. 

We set up camp in an old gravel stock pile site.  It had good south exposure so our solar panel was able to generate a fair amount of power each day when the sun was not covered by clouds.  

I love this sign.  So many people travel back roads without any concern about their safety.   Being an old Boy Scout "be prepared"   I always carry self rescue supplies.  

Some call this area desolate, I call it beautiful.   During the 5 days we only saw a few people on the county roads and none on the back roads.

The BLM has several homes in the back country that travelers can stay in.  They had springs, propane stoves ( you bring your own propane) .  

Bobbe and Molly in the trailer between our adventures. 

A second building.  All of the ones we saw were very nice and clean.  

A

All of the comfort of home.

More wide open spaces to enjoy. 

Not a lot of wildlife but those we saw could sure                                                                                         run fast.  

Return to the Olympic Coast Trail. 50 years later

 While attending the U of W several of us hiked the Olympic Coast 'Trail from Lake Ozette to Rialto Beach Via Cape Alava.   Cape Alava is the most westerly point in the lower 48 states.  

Spring Break 1971 we visited the archeological dig at Cape Alava.   The photo to the left is from the Makah Museum site.  We were there soon after it was found.  So Cool.

Steve, Bobbe, Jan, & Dan

Spring Break 1972 we also hiked the trail again. Weather was damp but we all had a good time.   One story from that trip was we did not check the tide tables as close as we should have.   We came upon a headland that passage was blocked by high water.  We set up camp behind a large log planning to hike around the headland in the morning.  Late that night we heard  some banging and the log between us and the ocean shook.  Opps the tide was higher than we expected.  We quickly scrambled up the hillside and spent the rest of the night there .

At times we had to hike on beach logs

Bobbe wishing me luck

This spring 2022 I attempted to do the hike again 50 years after my last trip.  None of the original group was able to make the trip this year.  I chose to go solo this time.   One thing different in 2022 is I carry a Garmin Inreach Mini.  It is a very small satellite phone.  I am able to send and receive text messages with it anywhere in the world.   This makes Bobbe and my children a little happier. 

The first day I got a late start.  Many of the roads to Lake Ozette were closed due to mud slides last winter.   I only hiked to Cape Alava and set up camp.  I could have gone further but too tired to continue safely.                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                          

The rain forest soils are very wet.  Much of the trail is on raised cedar planks.  I heard the NPS is going to remove the planks and replace them with gravel.  Too bad I liked hiking on the cedar plank trail.  

Note the color of the water in the photo.  The rain forest has huge quantities of organic matter on the soil.  Tannins leach out of the duff and give the water it's classic tea color.  After filtering it maintains it's tea color but safe top drink

The second day I hiked to Yellow Bluff camp site.  The weather was not bad but not good either.   A little rain and wind is ok. Luckily I had good rain gear. 

One thing I found on this trip was  the huge accumulation if litter. I do not remember any large accumulation of litter during previous trips  If this is what has accumulated in the past 50 years what will it look like for my grandchildren?

The beach was a mix of sand, small stones, cobbles, large stones & reef.  Most of the footing was good but some areas were quite slippery.  

On the second day I found a small fresh water spring in the sand.  For some reason no tannins there.  Once again filtered and it was good to drink.  

On the third day I checked the weather forecast and it appeared to be OK.  Little did I know that the forecast was way off.   I started to Norwegian Memorial for my fourth nights camp.  About half way I realized the weather had deteriorated to the point that continuing was not safe.  I aborted the trip and retraced my track to South Sand Beach campsite. I learned the next day that 2 inches of rain fell at Ozette Ranger station and wind were recorded to 50 mph.  I contacted Bobbe with my Inreach Mini and had her meet me at Ozette trail head the next morning at 10 am  After the rain the final day the rain and wind stopped.  The small trickles of water on the beach from shore turned into major streams. 

Paddling Central Oregon Cascade Lakes 2019

 Weather in the Cascades this time of the year is quite variable.  We had some very damp days but made the best of it   

Our trailer as a base camp permitted us to hunker down on the dampest time. Lots of books to read and more than enough videos to watch.

 During the "better times we would grab some paddling time on the lakes. 

 With three of us Bobbe volunteered to be the stabilizer in the boat.  I assume due to the damp weather not many people were on the lakes.  It is great to have the peaceful time without power boats racing by. 

 During the dampest times we did some over landing to Summit Lake. The lake was mystical with fog and lite rain on the lake.   

 The road was not much more than a trail.  The little Suzuki did well.  I only had to put it in 4X4 a few times when it was very rocky and steep. 

 Norma Wallace was the third member of our troupe.  She turned out to be a great paddler. 

 Norma's puffin made it to the Pacific Crest Trail during our adventure. 

 Weather cleared for a day and we made a dash to Waldo Lake.  This was our first trip on this lake.  The water color was so blue, then add the clouded coming over the cascades and fog flowing across the lake. 

Sandy beaches were a premium along the south side of the lake. We were able to stop once in a while to stretch our legs.  We are no longer 35 any more so legs and other parts of the body get stiff and sore quickly.   

I had downloaded a few geocaches into my GPS before leaving Snowshoe Inn.  We were able to find a few geocaches before the weather ran us off the lake. Lucky the wind was not  bad but were concerned about being lost in fog. 

It was a great trip regardless of the weather, we do not need warm sunny days to enjoy life.