In mid-December we spent 4 days at a fire lookout just east of Mt. Hood on Fivemile Butte. You have to make reservations 6 months in advance, so you never know what the weather is going to be like......
and that's how our our original plan of a xc ski trip turned into more of a car camping adventure!
Initially, I was disappointed that snow was so scarce, but honestly, I would rather have the clear skies and sweeping panoramas. The tower stands 40 feet high....so if you are going to climb up and down multiple times a day then being up so high should have it's rewards. And, lucky us, it did!
Looking west is the peak of Mt. Hood.
Here's the view looking north with Mt. Adams standing impressive and Mt. Rainier in the distance. The eastern view was the primary vista looking out over the high desert plateau into eastern Oregon. You could also see Mt. St. Helens from the road. During our trip we experienced a weather inversion, so it was clear and warmer up high and cloudy and cold in the valleys.
The lookout has a little pulley and basket for hauling firewood up to the cabin.
The cabin is a 14 x 14 square foot room with windows all the way around. There is a wood stove for heat and a propane cook stove and oven. There are some rustic furnishings including a table, two chairs and double bed. There is a "sink" which functions as a wash basin. Any water needs to hauled in (or there needs to be snow to melt).
I love this photo of our sweet little Daisy pretending that she sleeps at the foot of our bed. Ha! The reality is that Daisy finds the loft of sleeping bags irresistible and she's also a magnet for body heat.
Sunset on the volcanoes.
An unplanned bonus of our trip was the coinciding full lunar eclipse.
Here's a shot of the beautiful moon rise.
View of the lookout illuminated by the full moon. We got up at 5am to watch the eclipse. We took a bunch of photos, but even with the moon fully eclipsed it didn't translate well on the long exposure.
The next morning was another blue bird day!
After a little morning stroll, we headed back to prepare for company.
My little helper.
The cabin would get so warm from the solar heat that we would keep the windows open during the day. Clear view of Mt. Adams from inside.
Dave and Steph arrive! They spent one night with us.
Steeeep stairs!
We took an afternoon walk through the woods along the Lookout Trail
(what we would have used if the roads were impassable).
Dusk setting in.
Sunset glow on the horizon.
While Jonah slept, we took the party downstairs and enjoyed keeping warm fireside.
What? Another beautiful day?! We got so lucky!
Good Morning Mt. Adams
Jonah was a rockstar. There's nothing like sleeping 4 people together in a tiny room to test your baby's awesomeness. He did great!
One amazing perk of not backpacking all your supplies in is the ability to go gourmet. We ate very well. Our breakfast menu included Applesauce Buckwheat Pancakes with Fresh Berries and Honey. Yum!
Awwww.
Jonah's got the coy, peekaboo look down pat. Such a cutie!
It was a great trip. We really had fun!
