Itinerant Air-Cooled

P.S. Plan B is High Rock Camp. Look for the hubcap. That little loop camp just before Hambone is an option too.

1963


2008

Had an interesting trip down the mountain yesterday evening. Some big-ish areas of standing water in the road, streams running down one of the wheel ruts, more rain, more hail .. then we got to pavement. =D Swung through High Rock on the way to check on the outhouse, still standing in good condition, no graffiti, still has the broom and was stocked with *two* rolls of paper. Cool.

On down-ish side, a rather large tree came down across the trail entrance to the outhouse .. and the trail from the lower campsites. Needs some chainsaw work to clear out of there, but it'll make for plenty of firewood.

I also just tracked down the producer of the Four Little Bottles we sampled and found the flavors. One was plum, one was peppermint, one was "perisco" (sour cherry), and the mystery 32% bottle is .. cumin. =D

On the downside, once we got through the High Rock loop and back to pavement, noticed that my brakes were feeling "funny" and the fluid disappeared from the upper reservoir. Took it slow and easy to Ripplebrook, topped off the fluid and limped home slowly with Adam following. I can't find any external leaks, so until I get the Bus on stands and dig into it this afternoon I'm guessing the master cylinder is leaking fluid into the booster.... joy.

Great trip! One of the best Hambone trips yet. Thanks to all of you!
I really love that place, still so mysterious after so many years.

Indeed Hammy, it was great time, very mellow, a lot different than expected in a very good way.

I left very late, almost at the latest time I could afford to really go down to Hambone.

The view was very nice, and the sky was questionable. Do keep in mind, it was 80 some in Portland with more or less clear skies.



I remembered Hammy's directions as I was in such a hurry to get out of Portland. It also helped that I looked at the map before, so I remembered the main turns off just fine - that is, 57 and 58 - then completely spaced where to next. I cruised and kept going forward at the end of the pavement.
About 20-30 minutes of driving later, I was... Actually... The road isn't even on the GPS!!

"Where the hell am I...?!"



There was a fair bit of rock bouncing happening as the GMC has that extremely light rear end. Never the less, I went up and down some rather impressive grades, even bumped into a Toyota Tundra out on that road!

Went back to the intersection and took an even sketchier looking road, namely 4610, as 1, I saw that the Plaza Camp was still on that road in the GPS and 2, The guys mentioned that "It's half a mile or so up from here!"

Well, I hit home, and arrived safely albeit a bit weary by that time due to how late it was and the rain.

Next day's revealed a very sweet looking camp!



Tris and I went for a nice little hike as the rest of the group was still very much asleep.

Man... It's still just as steep as it was last night.



Later that day we did several little activities... Well, Tris did rather by clearing out Hammy Springs.



Sweet looking spider that I noticed in the lower pool!



After Hammy cooked up some kick-ass chili, we went off to do the Butte hike, however by that time the sky was grumbling... And it started to rain... Then hail...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6xq7TI9O7Q[/youtube]



Tris and I ran away as we were dumb and left our rain gear back at camp.

After a quick change Tris and I hit the road. This is an extremely rocky bed, full with water, was bone dry when I rolled in.



And other parts of the trail looked like this... It was intense!




Yet it was all very bad ass!! I am disappointed that I went to the party later that evening, as it was "Eh" at best, especially compared to Hammy Camp!

I'll be there next year with you guys if I can! :D

Hal takes a drink


from here


right before the golf balls




just after the golf balls








on the way out (I can't imagine driving this road in the storms...)



Dos Sprangs in September?

The PNW definitely has a certain look and feel to it from what I can tell; I really hope to get out there one day.

Oh boy!! That looked like one gnarly Hambone trip. Sorry I missed it. Last year was a lot of fun - been a few months since I've seen ya'll.

Oregon72 wrote:Oh boy!! That looked like one gnarly Hambone trip. Sorry I missed it. Last year was a lot of fun - been a few months since I've seen ya'll.

No kidding! It's been forever since you've been out with us. Hammy and I were talking about it just this weekend.

hambone wrote:on the way out (I can't imagine driving this road in the storms...)

Dos Sprangs in September?

Road out in the storms wasn't that bad actually -- everything was so dry the water puddled on top instead of making mucky mudholes.

High Rock with a chainsaw? Need to clear that log off the outhouse trail...

I would like to get back up to Cottonwood Mdws. in the fall, it is near there. It is hard to stay at High Rock - no trails!

That video is hilarious. Hope you all know how lucky you are to live in such a beautiful part of the world.

hambone wrote:I would like to get back up to Cottonwood Mdws. in the fall, it is near there. It is hard to stay at High Rock - no trails!

Map? I'm not having any luck finding that...

Just past Hideaway Lk. offa 58. West of 58.

Cool, thanks .. found it.

We should all take this quiz before we go into the woods next time .. 'specially you, Bob.
http://theoatmeal.com/quiz/bigfoot_love/

not lookin good
(But they didn't take into account female sasquaches...)