Home»All Photographs»2017 Hikes»Indian Oils 10-19-17

I didn't enjoy this hike as much as I thought I would. The forecast was looking good for the foothills, but I knew there would be spotty rain in the mountains. En route to the trailhead, I drove through a literal, defined line of crappy weather that didn't move or quit all day. I thought that line of poor weather may shift around a bit, but nope, it rained all day. Until I drove 8 km east on my way home where the line broke and ta-da, I was back in sunshine.
Needless to say, on a Thursday in the rain, I saw nobody else all day. The silence was delicious and the rain made for some pretty beautiful smelling woods, so there are always some positives, I suppose. The South Gorge Creek Trail was less traveled than Indian Oils or Gorge Creek, and I started seeing evidence of recent bear activity. I kept on high alert, looking for tracks in the mud. After some distance, I left the trail and bushwacked my way back to the highway instead of repeating the section of this loop hike that I had already done. I came across some hidden meadows and scenic terrain while off trail. I got back to the car satched and thankful for hot air vents on full blast.