dog mountain

now that i've taken a nice hot soak and applied some mentholated lotion, i'm ready to blog about dog mountain. realizing not everyone who reads this is blessed to live in the great northwest, nonetheless this hike is worth it!

i wasn't sure what to expect because the websites and hiking books say "difficult-strenuous" and mention words like poison oak and rattlesnakes. don't be deterred. if you're going, do bring exact change: a $5 dollar bill (we ended up having to put a $20 in but, it's for a good cause). it's about 8 miles round trip on a steep grade, but if you are in moderate-good shape, pace yourself and drink lots of water, it's fine. there is a lot of poison oak on the lower switchbacks, so just stay on the trail. saw lots of snake holes too (make lots of noise and don't sit on rocks or hidden logs).

the payoff? coming upon a sprawling field of wildflowers (may is best but there were still several in bloom this time of year, especially higher up) and your imagination can fill in the rest. once to the top, you can have lunch while simultaneously viewing st. helens, the gorge and mt. hood.