Cairn Basin Hike, July 29 to August 1, 2005
(28miles, about 5000 ft elevation gain)

This was a four day casual solo camping and backpacking trek.    The goal was to hike into Cairn Basin on Mt. Hood's north side and camp for one night.    This was to be followed by visits and camps at other places, depending on conditions and the availability of water.   I ended up camping at Cairn Basin for three night nights with a couple of days spent in side trips to adjacent areas.    My plan was to start the hike at Lolo Pass.    This does not offer the shortest or easiest hike to Cairn Basin, but it does include a section of the Pacific Crest Trail that I especially enjoy.

  This is a distant view of Hood seen on PCT.


 As you get closer to the mountain, good views of the west side are available.   McNeil Point, an area that I visited on the second day of the trip, is seen near the left edge of the photo.

  The first view seen as you enter Cairn Basin.

  Shots to the north with Mt. Adams (right) and Mt. Rainier (left) in the distance.   Mt. St. Helens was further to the left.

 The hike up to McNeil Point, the trek for day #2.

 Mt. Hood from a vantage well above McNeil Point.

 Back at Cairn Basin, we find a solitary Indian Paintbrush in a stand of Monkey Flowers.

 View of Hood from a vantage above Y'East Basin.  This shot was taken on our sojourn of day #3.

 This creek was flowing heavily as the afternoon of day 3 progressed and I found no safe or graceful alternative to getting my feet rather wet.    It was not really a big problem.   You merely stop, ring out the socks, and pour the water out of the boots.   A few minutes with your feet in the sun and you are on your way.

 A view of Hood from Cairn Basin.

 Typical flower clumps, here with Lupine and Indian Paintbrush.

 After three days of absolutely clear skies, I could not complain about a few clouds on the hike out.    There was no rain.