ScenicBoys

Umtaneum Ridge / Table Mountain

Hey everyone, sorry it's been so long since we last posted.  Our trip to White River Falls (that's the third time, for those keeping track) was a ton of fun, but we didn't get much footage and the CF card on my camera was corrupted.  Kind of sucks cause we had some really good pics to share, but alas thats how it goes sometimes.

Hopefully this video and adventure makes up for the absence.  We revisited Taneum Canyon - which you'll remember from the Beltane camping trip - Friday night.  Without the snow blocking our way, we were able to drive to the very end of the road.  A nice flat opening dotted with huge piles of burn-wood and an unbeatable view of the sunset/sunrise was ours for the night.

Saturday morning we slept in until around 9am.  Nothing really compares to sleeping outside.  I hear some people are neurotic sleeping in the woods at night.  Not me.  The rustling in the leaves, the snap of a branch, seeing two-green eyes in the dark... I feel right at home.  I'm more comfortable in the woods at night than the city.

That afternoon we hiked Umtaneum Ridge.  This old stage coach trail from the mid-1800s is a rather steep climb through the foothills.  Gradual slopes on either side of the ridge offers excellent views of Ellensburg to the north and Yakima to the south.  It got HOT that day, too hot for my liking.  Hiking in the moist, cool rainforests has made me soft.  With only sagebrush, honey toads and dead wild-flowers surrounding us... well, like I said, the view was really nice. This hike we might try again in the spring. :)

3 hours and 8 miles later we were back at the car and on our way across the valley to Reecer Creek.  We made camp in a beautiful prairie atop Table Mountain. Another night with an incredible view. 

ScenicBoys: Umtaneum Ridge, Central Washington from scenicboys on Vimeo.

I hope you're getting excited for our next big road trip!  What do you mean you didn't know?!  We leave tomorrow!  11 days with nowhere to be except Hell's Canyon, The Tetons, Jackson Hole, and Yellowstone.  Mmm, should be a boot-scootin' good time!  Now where's my boots and chaps?

Eagle Creek, OR

ScenicBoys: Eagle Creek, Oregon from scenicboys on Vimeo.

Dusty has been *begging* for us to go camping in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area all year. So a few weeks back we packed our gear and drive down to the Oregon / Washington border.  We've driven down Hwy 84 a number of times before, every time asking, "Why don't we ever come camping down here?"  It is a spectacular place with incredible bluffs, countless waterfalls, intriguing rock formations and the mighty Columbia River.

Eagle Creek Trail has a lot of history behind it. When the Recreation Area was established in 1915, it was the first in the country to be dedicated purely to recreation. Eagle Creek campground was the first "fully modern" camp, complete with toilets, tables and a near by Ranger Station. Another draw to the camp was a 13.5 mile trail, engineered to allow the hiker to experience the most aesthetic views of the canyon.

The trail climbs pretty steadily through giant moss covered Cedar and Maple trees. Several times the trail is literally blasted into the side of a cliff wall. It's 50ft to the bottom and 50ft to the top of the canyon and you are walking on a 3ft wide trail! It got a little intimidating at times. About every half mile you either cross a bridge over a fern filled gully or see one of the seven huge waterfalls.

The highlight of the entire trail is coming face to face with 175ft Tunnel Falls. The trail takes you right up beside the roaring water, so close you can touch it.. Then through a tunnel blasted behind the falls and around to the other side of the canyon for an unbelievable view.

At 15 miles this was the longest backpacking trip we've had in recent years.  And one of the funnest! We're hoping that we can make it back to this area again soon. There is so much more we've yet to see.

Bumping Lake part 2

Hello Adventure People!

Our buddy Matt has done it again. He has put together another fanciful film from the prospective of his coy young film student mind. He has made another magical depiction of the group adventure into the wilderness. I feel like the ScenicBoys videos are made like a TV show and Matt's are like a movie one would see at the theater. I would love to see his movies on a big screen. Check out his youtube page to see the rest of his creations.

Intense Lake from Matthew on Vimeo.