upper mccord creek falls

I am as restless as a cat on a hot tin roof.

The Mt Hood 50 is just over a week away, and my taper is leaving me with excess energy which is causing me to doing silly things - like impulse purchasing running gear. The dangers of taper!

To counter that crazy energy, I decided to drag my kiddo on a hike with me.

I picked out a 3 mile hike with a couple of waterfalls, but I wasn't sure what to expect. It started at the John B Yeon State Park - also the site of the second aid station during the Gorge Waterfalls 50k. The first bit of the trail was familiar to me as it led to Elowah Falls - the turn around point during the race. But about .35 of a mile before the falls, we veered off on the Upper Mccord Creek Falls trail.

The trail gains about 400 feet in elevation over a mile and a half, so the kid wasn't super happy with me.

Thankfully we had some wide open vistas to take her mind off her burning glutes.

Directly across the Gorge is Hamilton Mountain - why yes, that evil mountain that I have climbed not once, not twice, but three times! And will probably climb again.

Mt Adams just peeking over the horizon.

Hey look - they put a ballet barre on the trail!

A glimpse at the top of Elowah Falls.

Pretty little Mccord Creek Falls.  The left side is already drying out in the summer heat.

Finally, we're on our way back down.

A quick stop at Multnomah Falls for ice cream, and then a short drive home. Now that's one fine way to spend the day.