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Past Activity

Aubrey- Heckletooth Mt.

  • Start date: 10/22/2017

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 10/22/2017

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

WEATHER UPDATE*****: Be prepared for possibly heavy rain, as an "atmospheric river" event may impact the area. Most of the AR is likely to hit further north, but it is going to sag southward as the day progresses. Good rain gear is a must. I am re-waterproofing mine after walking a few miles yesterday in the rain. Gaiters are strongly recommended as well as waterproof gloves and pack covers.If it looks like the hike will be similar to taking a 4 hour shower with your clothes on, we will declare victory at Aubrey Mountain or somewhere before Heckletooth.
This hike is in place of the Waldo Perimeter hike. I haven’t been in this area before, but it is a well-traveled mountain bike route near Oakridge. It is lower and snow won’t be an issue. Rain and mud may be, however. The pictures show a nice old growth forest. This may well be a loop (on one topo) or one way out and one way back. Aubrey mountain is the closest and about 2/3 of the elevation gain. Heckletooth is further. Be prepared for rain and mud, although temperatures should be mild. Aubrey mountain should be able to be done; if the group is able and willing, we should be able to do Heckletooth as well. We will be at the western end of the Bunchgrass trail, which goes almost to Deer Camp Lake, itself below Mt. Fuji.

  • Event Leader: Mike Smith

  • Event Leader Phone: 520-488-9569

  • Event Leader Email: mssq@comcast.net

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: Lane Community College, parking lot nearest stoplight

  • Rating: Difficult

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 85

  • Season: 2017

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: 10 essentials, pack cover, modest amounts of water, good rain gear, good boots, hat, gaiters, and consider gloves and climbing poles.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 11.5

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 2025

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

This was an Explora hike into an area not often appearing on the hiking calendar. The trailhead is within 2 miles of Hwy 58, right across from the Sasquatch!! I had no idea what was up there on a mountain biking trail, let alone doing it in a pouring rain as well. But, three others came along, and we all took a look! The hike has mostly level areas and then mostly steep climbs. Most of the 2000' vertical occurs in the last part of the hike. The trail is in good shape, and in autumn, the colors are fabulous!! We saw yellows, reds, light greens and big Vine Maple leaves on the trail. Heckletooth was further than the 4 miles I had estimated, about 5.5, and only one of the two routes to Aubrey exists, despite the GPS's showing two. The climbs have many switchbacks and the top is nice--when there isn't a lot of rain, fog, and wind. I expected all the weather we got; the sheer beauty was completely unexpected. This is a nice autumn hike, but difficult, unless one goes in only about 3-4 miles, in which case, without a lot of elevation gain, one will see a lot of color!