Don't let the title fool you... I did not spend even a majority of 2021 hiking. A small part of me wishes that were the case!
No, I just simply love to document the hikes I accomplish & the mileage within the year... amongst many many other things I document (have I mentioned that I love making lists?!)
Here are the main hikes I went on in the year 2021- a pretty darn good year for Bucket List worthy hikes!
#1: Multnomah Falls, Oregon
March --- 2 miles out/up and back
This one hardly counts as a hike, as it's paved & pretty tourist-y. But, it was quite the workout so I'm counting it! Multnomah Falls is home to a very famous waterfall that millions of tourists visit each year. I can see why; it is a very pretty site and view, but it is also viewable from the road and easy to access!
On a recent road trip with my gal pals, we made a stop here on our way to Mount Hood and we definitely did not regret it!
The higher up we went, the better the view kept getting... and not of the waterfall, but of the scenery around it! This is because you end up at the very top of the waterfall where you can watch the water spill over the edge (it is a bit terrifying actually).
There are lots of places along the paved walkway to stop and rest or take photos- like this awesome stump! Here I have my back to the waterfall. This is definitely a very kid & dog-friendly hike. We saw lots of both & people of all ages!
#2: Short Sand Beach Trail, Oswald St. Park, Oregon
March --- 1 mile out and back
Another short & sweet Oregon hike, but I'm counting this one because it is in a State Park (what's the actual criteria for a hike to be a hike anyways?!)
In typical Oregon fashion, it was rainy, gloomy, & cold on this day. This really put a damper on all of the trails we wanted to hit in this area. We still managed to do this one because of it being so short and covered with trees.
The 1 mile trail takes you from the parking lot through jungle-like trees and vegetation (I know that it is not actually the jungle, but it is very different foliage from the Midwest) to the rocky beach. It was a very beautiful site even with the gloom, so I can imagine that it is very stunning when it is sunny and warm!
I highly recommend making a stop here if you're in the area visiting the super-famous Cannon Beach. We visited there but could not stay long due to rain and wind.
#3: God's Thumb, Oregon
March --- 5 miles out and back
This is one of my all-time favorite hikes. It was long; it was super-scenic; it was strenuous; and it was messy! This very unique hike was definitely not what we expected we were getting into, especially after the other hikes of our trip.
Finding this trailhead was challenging and required us to walk through a neighborhood. We had almost no idea that where we were at was actually correct- thank goodness for following the AllTrails app!
Even once we got going a decent way into the trek we still were not sure we were on the right path. Not only this, but the trail became extremely muddy. If you had sneakers on, they were for sure goners! But, we persevered. We just kept following the dot on the app until we reached other people who told us to just keep on going and that it was so worth it at the end.
Up until this point the hike had been anything but scenic. Finally we were able to see the ocean ahead of us off in the distance. Can you see why the hike is called God's Thumb?
With a light at the end of the tunnel we continued on. I had no clue just how far this trail would take us and what challenge lie ahead...
At this point the trail becomes extremely steep as you make your way on top of the crest down to the ocean and the cliff edge. We had to scale down the side and climb up on our hands and knees and the end. I am pretty sure each of us ended up with twisted ankles, muddy pant butts, & a mild fear of tumbling down the edge by the time we reached our destination.
Luckily, the view is always worth it in the end!
#4: South Shores to Cape Arago Loop, Oregon
March --- 4.5 mile loop
This was a random stop to get out and walk on our road trip. We weren't exactly sure what to expect out of this trail but it had ocean views for a majority of it AND we saw an elephant seal! It was camped out on the beach, relaxing in the sun.
#5: Cloud's Rest, Yosemite National Park, California
July --- 13.65 miles out and back
Another one of my all-time favorite hikes and definitely one to check off the bucket list! We set out to accomplish this hike because we did not win in the lottery to hike Half Dome. Although this was not the legendary Half Dome, it was still pretty incredible AND it does have the best views OF Half Dome in all of Yosemite NP.
We had to head out real early for this one because our hotel was on the other side of the park as the trailhead. We knew it was going to take us a really long time and would require lots of fuel and water, so we set our early alarms, stocked our packs with PBJs (our go-to hiking meal) filled our water bottles/bladders and let the adventure begin!
To start, the hike is TOUGH. Like, a lot of steep switch-backs tough. We had to take many breaks, which worried us for what was ahead. Luckily, the trail flattened out and became more enjoyable with views of the lake behind us, small ponds around us, and an ascent up ahead.
We really got to know each other well on this hike. Not that my family (including two fiancees) had not been hiking together before, but this time I came prepared with some road trip questions and interviewed everyone while we struggled up the mountain.
Finally we got to the scary part. I did not get a good photo during this part because I was rather terrified. It does not help that my now husband is afraid of heights and was panicking as well. This part of the hike is really not that bad, but in our defense, it looks a lot worse coming up from the bottom when you cannot see the top. All you can see is the steep incline ahead of you and the steep decline down both sides of you. Coming down is a lot easier.
At the top we obviously took many photos and enjoyed our lunch in the company of the crows that hang out at the top. We love eating our picnic lunch with a view! It is one of my favorite meals... could perhaps be the meal I chose if I were on death row. That would definitely be unique!
This hike was incredible, challenging, and life-changing. It was definitely my favorite hike in Yosemite National Park and my favorite hike I did in 2021.
#6: Glacier Point, Taft Point, & Sentinel Dome
July --- about 6 miles combined
I am combining these 3 shorter trails because we did them back-to-back-to-back with the change of parking lots in between. With more planning, we would have realized that we could have done one hike that connects them all but that's okay!
To do these hikes together is easiest because they are all on the same road, and really one of the only roads in Yosemite National Park. This makes it really easy to find & to move from parking lot to parking lot to check them off the list. We headed furthest out first to Glacier Point. I loved this spot so much that I made our whole family drive back out here later that night to star gaze- I highly recommend!
Next we hit up Taft Point (I'm not sure why, since Sentinel Dome is in between Glacier Point and Taft Point, but whatever). We actually planned to return to Taft Point later this evening as well at sunset for my sister's engagement pictures! They turned out amazing, as you can see. Let me know if you need a Yosemite photographer ;)
And then lastly we conquered Sentinel Dome. Of the three, this one was the most challenging because of the incline but all three hikes were short and relatively easy over all. They each offer a different view of the park, so depending on if you favor The Valley & El Capitan, a 360 degree panorama, or feeling up close and personal with Half Dome (without hiking it) your favorite may vary! Mine was definitely Glacier Point but that is because I am just a little bit Half Dome obsessed.
#7: Lower Yosemite Falls
July --- 3 mile loop
A super easy hike... like, stroller friendly-easy! We decided on Lower Yosemite Falls because of the season and lack of waterfall in the Upper Falls. This would have been a longer and much more challenging hike.
Again, not really truly a hike. Rather, a paved loop with almost no incline and a view of a waterfall halfway through. It is worth doing though! Especially if you are on bike riding around Yosemite and want to stretch your legs a bit like we were.
I do believe this is the highest waterfall in North America, at least that is what the Snapchat location filter says if you snap a pic and swipe over! I'm sure this includes the entirety of the waterfall and not just this lower part which is pictured.
#8: The Mist Trail
July --- 11 miles
Another Yosemite favorite, we saved this one for last with final hopes of winning the Half Dome lottery. This hike is where you start if you are able to continue on and access the Cables on Half Dome making it longer, much more thrilling, and more challenging. Unfortunately we did not have success. Next time...
We did the hike anyways though! The Mist Trail is out & back, however, you can turn it into a loop by jumping onto the John Muir trail. We did this in order to get a different view on the way back down, rather than returning the way we came up.
The way up... oofta. It is very steep to start with switchbacks and is, at least, paved. These lead to the very popular bridge where the tenderfoots & tourists turn back. I don't blame them because after the bridge it is all stairs and is straight up.
At least there is a lovely view and usually there is a mist coming from the falls that keeps you cool. During the season of our visit, the waterfall was rather dry. No mist and no rainbow.
We continued on past the next two bridges to the top of the waterfall where we stopped for our scenic picnic lunch- more PBJs and Pringles! It was here that we found where one would continue on to Half Dome... if only it were from here that you could see the hikers going up the cables, I would have sat there all day.
We then headed back down the John Muir trail, which was so pretty with Half Dome views on our right side going down. You can see the top of the waterfall where we ate lunch in this photo as well.
I loved this hike and hope to do it again someday when I win the Half Dome lottery! If anyone wants to do it with me, hit me up- I think Spencer is no-go on that one!
#9: Moro Rock Trail
July --- 6.5 out and back
Another hike full of stairs! This one was surprisingly really cool. I say surprisingly because it is in Sequoia National Park, which is known for its big big trees, not its cool hikes. Basically you hike straight up a rock- just like the name says- using railings until you get to the top which is a strip on top of the rock enclosed with more railings. It's not super strenuous and it is very scenic throughout!
The 360 degree panoramic views from the top of here were breathtaking, even though the altitude is not nearly as high as other points or as you may feel like it is.
What a great year of hiking! I would say this is one of or maybe the best year of hiking that I have had yet. Surely the best is yet to come :)
'Checkin' it off the bucket list',
-Mackensie
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