A ninety-plus-degree forecast seemed like a strong case to venture into our most immediate alpine zone. Joanna picked this one, which started as a trail to elk meadows, which I have visited in the past. But after making a detour for an actual view of the meadow (and not being able to capture a single decent photo of it), we headed into uncharted territory. It wasn’t a particularly difficult hike, just enough of an incline to remind me that I am still far from my fitness goals for the year.
The wildflowers were in full swing, and we were looking for a side trail to the summit of Lemberson Butte (after failing to locate the side trail the summit of Potato Butte last weekend), but we missed it, and suddenly and unceremoniously we found ourselves in the alpine zone with a dramatic view of Mt Hood, Newton Creek Canyon, and everything in between. Joanna teetered on the edge for long enough to make me nervous, and then we doubled back and summited Lemberson Butte for an even grander view. The weather was actually very mild, with the cool breeze that had lured us out from Portland.
Our return was uneventful, but a spectacular look at time, physics and geology in progress.