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Pacific Northwest Trail Lovers

The outdoor adventures of a Portland couple

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Recent Posts

  • Copper Ridge-Chilliwack River Loop (8/22/2017-8/26/2017)
  • Backcountry Rise (8/20/2017)
  • Mount Rainier (8/9/2017-8/10/2017)
  • Elkhorn Crest Trail (7/21/2017-7/23/2017)
  • Glacier Peak (7/15/2017-7/18/2017)
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Cassie and I went in search of Fall colors this weekend. We were not disappointed. In fact, we found the most vibrant colors while exploring a side trail on the way back to the car. I'd been here once in the Spring a couple of years back (supposedly the best time to visit this area). The hillside was completely green and teeming with bear grass and other wildflowers. It was beautiful, but I think I prefer the reds, oranges, and yellows of October 🍁🍂 On another note, Cassie looks regal AF in this photo. #tongueouttuesday After my plans to do my first solo backpacking (with Cassie) fell through due to snow conditions, I spent much of Saturday trying to come up with an alternate epic, type 2 plan. However, this particular line of thinking had me questioning myself. Why does it have to be "epic" or "type 2"? For the past couple of years, as I've grown to love the outdoors and honed my skills to be better at the activities I enjoy most, I've also become aware of my tendency to want to one-up everything I do. Sure, I think it's great that I'm challenging myself and continuing to grow and improve, but sometimes it affects my motivation to experience and appreciate less demanding outdoor activities, like going for a short stroll in the forest or sitting outside with a good book. This "I only want to do it if it's going to kick my ass" mindset is debilitating sometimes, especially when I can't come up with anything to do and wind up not doing anything at all. That's what happened Saturday. Yesterday though, I made an effort to change that. I settled on a hike I've done before and decided to run-hike it with Cassie, hoping to add on a few more miles via another trail. Those extra miles ended up not happening, but I didn't let that get to me (like I usually would). Instead, I relished in the fact that Cassie and I spent most of the day chasing each other up and down trails, running through some of the most beautiful Fall foliage I've ever seen, seeing FIVE Cascade volcanoes from one spot, doing a little bit of rock scrambling, and taking awkward summit selfies. It wasn't epic. It wasn't type 2. But it was pretty damn perfect. So apparently this Saturday is National Camping with Dogs Day? Guess that means we need to get out for a little trip! Anyone have suggestions for an overnight backpack (up to 16 miles RT) in Washington or Oregon? 😊 Sad to see @arsilveyra head back to California today but so happy to have made some wonderful memories during her brief visit. Already scheming up another outdoor adventure for when she returns! Interested in climbing that big, beautiful mountain behind us, Mom? 😉 #onlykindofkidding ---------------------------------------------------- 📷: @mackrobertson
  • View pnwtraillover’s profile on Instagram

About

We are Mack and Theresa, a trail lovin’ couple residing in beautiful Portland, OR. Although we began our relationship in Southern California, both of us grew up in the Pacific Northwest surrounded by evergreen forests and snow-capped peaks. As a result, we both share a deep love of the outdoors and make every effort to enjoy it as much as possible. We look forward to sharing our adventures and hopefully inspiring other couples to get outdoors 🙂

Backpacking Camping Central Oregon Climbing Coast Range Columbia River Gorge Eagle Cap Wilderness Glacier Peak Wilderness Hiking Mountaineering Mount Hood Mount St. Helens Oregon Pacific Northwest Running Snowshoeing Trail Running Uncategorized Wallowas Washington
South Sister (7/4/2017)
Central Oregon, Mountaineering, South Sister, Three Sisters Wilderness

South Sister (7/4/2017)

Start: Devils Lake Trailhead Distance: 12.5 miles Duration: 11 hours 25 minutes (breaks included) Type: Out-and-back Map: Adventure Maps: Three … Continue reading South Sister (7/4/2017)

Middle Sister (7/2/2017)
Central Oregon, Middle Sister, Mountaineering, Three Sisters Wilderness

Middle Sister (7/2/2017)

Start: Pole Creek Trailhead Duration: 14 hours 25 minutes (breaks included) Type: Out-and-back Map: Adventures Maps: Three Sisters Wilderness References: … Continue reading Middle Sister (7/2/2017)

Oregon Butte and Mount Misery Trail (6/25/2017)
Blue Mountains, Pacific Northwest, Trail Running, Washington, Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness

Oregon Butte and Mount Misery Trail (6/25/2017)

Location: Blue Mountains Start: Teepee Trailhead Distance: 14 miles (according to Mack’s Garmin) Duration: 3 hours 24 minutes (breaks not … Continue reading Oregon Butte and Mount Misery Trail (6/25/2017)

Mount Shasta (5/29/2017)
California, Climbing, Mount Shasta, Mountaineering, Pacific Northwest

Mount Shasta (5/29/2017)

Start: Bunny Flat Trailhead Duration: 17 hours 5 minutes (breaks included) Type: Out-and-back References: Best Climbs: Cascade Volcanoes by Jeff … Continue reading Mount Shasta (5/29/2017)

McKenzie River Trail (5/13/2017)
Central Oregon, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Trail Running, Willamette National Forest

McKenzie River Trail (5/13/2017)

Location: Willamette National Forest Start: Upper McKenzie River Trailhead Distance: 26.4 miles Duration: 5 hours 49 minutes (breaks not included) … Continue reading McKenzie River Trail (5/13/2017)

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Recent Posts

  • Copper Ridge-Chilliwack River Loop (8/22/2017-8/26/2017)
  • Backcountry Rise (8/20/2017)
  • Mount Rainier (8/9/2017-8/10/2017)
  • Elkhorn Crest Trail (7/21/2017-7/23/2017)
  • Glacier Peak (7/15/2017-7/18/2017)
Follow Pacific Northwest Trail Lovers on WordPress.com

Archives

Instagram

Cassie and I went in search of Fall colors this weekend. We were not disappointed. In fact, we found the most vibrant colors while exploring a side trail on the way back to the car. I'd been here once in the Spring a couple of years back (supposedly the best time to visit this area). The hillside was completely green and teeming with bear grass and other wildflowers. It was beautiful, but I think I prefer the reds, oranges, and yellows of October 🍁🍂 On another note, Cassie looks regal AF in this photo. #tongueouttuesday After my plans to do my first solo backpacking (with Cassie) fell through due to snow conditions, I spent much of Saturday trying to come up with an alternate epic, type 2 plan. However, this particular line of thinking had me questioning myself. Why does it have to be "epic" or "type 2"? For the past couple of years, as I've grown to love the outdoors and honed my skills to be better at the activities I enjoy most, I've also become aware of my tendency to want to one-up everything I do. Sure, I think it's great that I'm challenging myself and continuing to grow and improve, but sometimes it affects my motivation to experience and appreciate less demanding outdoor activities, like going for a short stroll in the forest or sitting outside with a good book. This "I only want to do it if it's going to kick my ass" mindset is debilitating sometimes, especially when I can't come up with anything to do and wind up not doing anything at all. That's what happened Saturday. Yesterday though, I made an effort to change that. I settled on a hike I've done before and decided to run-hike it with Cassie, hoping to add on a few more miles via another trail. Those extra miles ended up not happening, but I didn't let that get to me (like I usually would). Instead, I relished in the fact that Cassie and I spent most of the day chasing each other up and down trails, running through some of the most beautiful Fall foliage I've ever seen, seeing FIVE Cascade volcanoes from one spot, doing a little bit of rock scrambling, and taking awkward summit selfies. It wasn't epic. It wasn't type 2. But it was pretty damn perfect. So apparently this Saturday is National Camping with Dogs Day? Guess that means we need to get out for a little trip! Anyone have suggestions for an overnight backpack (up to 16 miles RT) in Washington or Oregon? 😊 Sad to see @arsilveyra head back to California today but so happy to have made some wonderful memories during her brief visit. Already scheming up another outdoor adventure for when she returns! Interested in climbing that big, beautiful mountain behind us, Mom? 😉 #onlykindofkidding ---------------------------------------------------- 📷: @mackrobertson
  • View pnwtraillover’s profile on Instagram

About

We are Mack and Theresa, a trail lovin’ couple residing in beautiful Portland, OR. Although we began our relationship in Southern California, both of us grew up in the Pacific Northwest surrounded by evergreen forests and snow-capped peaks. As a result, we both share a deep love of the outdoors and make every effort to enjoy it as much as possible. We look forward to sharing our adventures and hopefully inspiring other couples to get outdoors 🙂

Backpacking Camping Central Oregon Climbing Coast Range Columbia River Gorge Eagle Cap Wilderness Glacier Peak Wilderness Hiking Mountaineering Mount Hood Mount St. Helens Oregon Pacific Northwest Running Snowshoeing Trail Running Uncategorized Wallowas Washington
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