The Top of Klamath Falls

Laura and Jamey, you would be so proud of me . . .

This morning, Jordan was trying to find one of his buddies to take a hike with him to the forest service tower on Hogback, a ridge overlooking town. None of them were available so I offered to go with him. Actually, ever since we moved to Klamath Falls seven years ago, I've wanted to climb up Hogback so this was my chance not only to spend time with Jordan but to enjoy the perfect weather we're having right now, also.

I knew it would be a good little walk but didn't think it'd be anything too strenuous. About 100 yards into our climb, I was sure I was in trouble. Jordan made the mistake of saying, "We're almost there" after we had walked a few hundred yards more. Yeah, right.

So I had two things working against me. First, I haven't done anything more strenuous than walk around Washington DC in the last several years. Second, distances in the great outdoors are deceptive. "Almost there" was a lie oft repeated this afternoon. And, as this photo demonstrates, much of our hike was on pretty steep terrain . . .

But you have to love the lush green hills of Klamath Falls, don't you?

When we got to the top, we shot a few photos. Below, you can see a patch of snow behind us on the left and all I can say is that it's been a long time since I ate snow but it sure tasted awesome today. And, on the right, you can see a cross. Jordan speculated that this was prepared in anticipation that I would drop dead just about the time I reached Hogback.


We climbed up the stairs to the ranger station to get to the highest point we could. Greg, if you're reading this and look closely, note that I'm wearing my Biola Football t-shirt with pride (not to mention what is now a very ratty Disneyland cap that you gave me when your family visited us in Wilmore). If I had actually died at the peak and been buried under the wooden cross, I'd have gone to the grave wearing the spoils of our bet on the OIT-Biola softball game.


This was the view overlooking the valley from the top . . .


And this is the view looking the other direction, at Klamath Lake . . .


As we descended, I took this photo of the city and Mount Shasta. The sky wasn't quite a deep enough blue to make the peak stand out but, y'know, this is almost certainly the only time I'll be making this climb and Mount Shasta is one of my favorite things about living in Klamath Falls, I had to snap a picture.
I wasn't sure I was going to make it back down that hill. Actually, going both up and down, we made a number of stops. As we approached the top, I was only able to go about sixty feet before I'd have to stop and rest. Coming down, my feet and thighs and left knee were killing me. What a wimp! A cool thing was that we sat on a couple of rocks for maybe ten minutes and prayed together.

In all, we were on that hill for about four hours and, to make a long story shorter, I did make it back to the truck and home for a barbequed tri-tip steak dinner. Now it's bedtime . . . and I'm looking forward with great anticipation to waking up in a few hours to excruciating pain as both of my legs cramp up.