salmon river trail

Some days, I wonder if my memory is failing me.

I can't seem to remember to buy everything on my list at the grocery, I forget where I've laid my keys, birthdays slip my mind.

But yesterday I was reminded that perhaps my brain just wants to love what it remembers.

I met Julie just as dawn was breaking, excited to introduce her to a trail I had run before - the Salmon River Trail on the lower hills of Mt Hood. It was one of the first trails I had ever run; I earned my first bloody knee on its winding course. I remember trying to run the first big climb and having to walk, feeling I had failed. Thankfully I am an ultrarunner now and can dispense with such nonsense.

The trail begins along the river - two and a half miles of easy running along the shore of the lively Salmon River. We started at the campground so it was an out and back, and as I ran along the trail I had walked with my girls a couple of summers ago, I could remember trees and turns, places they had played. My memory wasn't failing me at all.

Autumn is on its last legs now, leaving bright spots of color along the ground.

After the river portion, you begin a gentle climb to some gorge-like terrain.

After some fairly level running, you climb again to this open spot. The sun warmed our faces and hearts.

Julie's favorite spot of the day.

We finally reached the top of the ridge - I only had to screech "Yowch" one time - and then continued on along the ridges above the river. We could in fact have gone out 15 miles, but we ran out of time and only made 17 on the day. (Not that we were planning to go that far anyways...we aren't overachievers!)

A forest rainbow

The Salmon River Trail is a great trail for a training run. Highly runnable, non-technical, with great views and nice swimming holes (if you head out on a hot day), it's a runner's paradise. Several other trails in the area allow for loops or gnarly climbs if you are so inclined. (We only climbed about 3,600 feet - the Green Canyon trail climbs nearly this far in 3 miles...)

Hikes in the area:
Salmon Butte
Devil's Peak 
Salmon River