{"id":4820,"date":"2023-08-20T17:11:42","date_gmt":"2023-08-20T17:11:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/?p=4820"},"modified":"2023-08-20T20:12:22","modified_gmt":"2023-08-20T20:12:22","slug":"sand-mountain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/2023\/08\/20\/sand-mountain\/","title":{"rendered":"Sand Mountain"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Saturday, July 8, 2023<\/p>\n<p>Today I got up early and drove down to the Santiam Pass area to hike up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregonhikers.org\/field_guide\/Sand_Mountain_Hike\">Sand Mountain<\/a>.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089048605_694c3944d4_n.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"320\" height=\"213\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The last few miles before the trailhead are on Road 810, a rough bumpy road that was not fun to drive. I was glad to park the car at the gate and start walking:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089148633_be32593267_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The spur road up to Sand Mountain is drivable, but it&#8217;s closed to vehicles if you&#8217;re a member of the public. It was a pleasant walk, though:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088090172_8104399ece_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089147933_76181c62d1_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089058200_5207f9b862_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I started getting a preview of the views to come, with Mt. Jefferson and Three Fingered Jack:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089145668_b766690cd9_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There were some nice wildflowers along the way:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088836359_8def9898d8_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088085477_1031d7b94e_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088084517_74d9dbedef_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The road ends at a parking area:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088083222_c7d6eae3f4_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And the trail begins at the far end of the parking area:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089140973_7bb0b6fe71_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089127800_6d718f6474_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This guy decided to lick the salt off my skin:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088725916_4673f341f2_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Penstemon:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088082467_d92ca86c9a_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Almost there!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088830949_e1cc5edba9_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I had been walking on a continuation of the road and I passed the spot where it used to head to the right. It&#8217;s closed and blocked off now:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088909134_fd96137119_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089215158_4060795212_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Climbing up the trail:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088156027_22cf88e361_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089214593_77dbd7456c_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Outhouse with a view:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089138423_afaba5815a_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Reached the summit!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088858284_71a9c647a4_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089198133_d2088a9f5d_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The views were great! Looking northwest with Crescent Mountain left of center, the Three Pyramids just left of the flagpole, and Coffin Mountain at far right:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088666021_964e6de7ec_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Maxwell Butte, Mt. Jefferson, and Three Fingered Jack to the north:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089048605_694c3944d4_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Looking northeast at Hoodoo Butte, Hayrick Butte (the flat one), Black Butte, and Cache Mountain:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088097762_0582ca60f1_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Looking east at Black Butte, Cache Mountain, Big Lake, and burned trees from the 2011 Shadow Lake Fire:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088665516_962096b879_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Mt. Washington to the southeast:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088853574_46d497e944_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Three Sisters to the southeast:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088854529_f22b6ca0dc_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Diamond Peak to the south:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088670836_abba4024db_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Looking southwest:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089164443_8ebcf009b4_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A slew of Cascade peaks to the west:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088857154_301b266b0a_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Iron Mountain at center:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088670261_ba80f59f15_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Carpenter Mountain:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088851674_1be4d55f0f_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You can see where the road used to end below. The fence line surrounding the former parking area is being swallowed up, but it&#8217;s still visible:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089158863_f050f158b4_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088723806_70223a3607_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p>After a nice chat with the lookout on duty, I set off down the trail towards the former parking area:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088895179_bac879690d_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089109070_e1519a7944_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You can barely tell anymore, but the road used to come up right in the center:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089109425_ecd09b9748_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The trail continues on the other side of the fenced area:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089121175_858753d8da_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And around the rim of the summit:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089195808_310832e5ab_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Looking back:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089195013_491b505f7b_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088137032_d2b41d1420_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088737071_b28c6c0d3f_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089226253_76a76420d5_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089226343_45ce775142_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088734246_3378e7cf07_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Looking down into the hole:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088916414_526a7a721d_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>After circling the rim I came to the old road. Turning right would have taken me along the old eroded stretch to the former parking area. I turned left to head back to the trail:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089132990_4f62dbf1cc_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089210228_18c03178b4_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p>More pussypaws on the way down:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53088731086_eb638fa91d_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53089130795_105c5fd3e1_c.jpg\" alt=\"Sand Mountain Hike\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Gaia stats: 4.4 miles, 850&#8242; elevation gain<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Saturday, July 8, 2023 Today I got up early and drove down to the Santiam Pass area to hike up<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/2023\/08\/20\/sand-mountain\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Sand Mountain<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4837,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[159,158],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4820"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4820"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4820\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4838,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4820\/revisions\/4838"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4837"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4820"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4820"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4820"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}