Anybody interested in a Sunday afternoon hike?  We would like to gauge level of interest.  Comment below, or email your thoughts to genevieve0524@gmail.com.

Mary's Peak...a bit of a drive but the views were well worth it.  At "base" there was a large area for parking and picnicking with several families, and an older crowd.  The path, as shown by the photos, was wide and mostly smooth and of light grade.  The length of the hike itself was relatively short and we had lunch at the top.  Coming down some of us took a path less traveled by folks, but full of lovely butterflies of varying colors...

Mary's Peak...the only point in Oregon where you can see the Cascades on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other...

New hiker, old hiker

I wish this were my view in the morning!  The drive was worth the views.

June 22 Hike Update:
We will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the church instead of 9 am. 

On Mary's Peak by Hiking Guy...

Mary's Peak is the highest summit in the Oregon Coast Range, at 4098 feet. On a clear, haze-free day, one may see the Olympics in the North along with the Cascades as far as the Canadian border. Straight East is the central High Cascades. To the South are the High Cascades clear down to California and the Klamath Range of SW Oregon. West is the Pacific. The trail to the summit is an old road, and an easy walk. We have seen powered wheelchairs up there; I suspect it's a bumpy ride. Wildflowers abound, on the rock walls and in the meadows. Huge Alpine meadows, adorned with colorful butterflies. Many trails meandering about the summit area. Great place for kids. Wear a sun hat or slather on the sunscreen. Lots of places to eat lunch. Not the place for wilderness solitude.

Mary's Peak: trails from Hwy 20 and 34

Homemade pizza by Angie - great sustenance for hike!

Starvation Ridge - toughest hike in Oregon - coming from Mt. Defiance is the easier way down

Angie and Hiking Guy in front of Starvation Creek Falls

Easy going trail

We went back to hike Wahclella Falls...

Beginning of trail - smooth, wide...gorgeous day!

Crystal clear water - good for drinking, naturally filtered!

Ice cold and therapeutic for achy joints!

Few dropoffs but lots of families with kids (including babies in carriers) hiking that day.

Starvation Creek Falls from our picnic table!

June 1 - we had an excellent first hike to Starvation Creek and Wahclella Falls.  Photos to follow.  Our next hike is planned for June 22 - Mary's Peak.  We will meet at the church at 9 am.  Details coming in upcoming posts.