Hiking

Somewhere out there are people who love eating at The Hippy Hut™…where the chewing is long, and the grains carry the essence of the ground they grew in. If that is you, then you will love Patagonia Provisions Organic Kamut® Khorasan bulgur wheat meals. But these meals just brought back memories of my childhood eating lunch at the local vitamin shop, of spirulina Shakes, tofu hot dogs and spouted wheat buns. It is certified organic, lower in sodium, good source of wheat based protein, has fiber and decent calories.

To make 3 ounces fresh cream cheese, pack 10 Tablespoons dry cream cheese powder in a snack size ziptop bag (or a sandwich bag). Usually we put the bag we want chilled inside a larger zip top bag, and either use paracord threaded through a hole in the top, or weight it down on the edge with rocks. You can also use a snow bank to chill in, but make sure the bag isn’t visible to birds, who will happily enjoy your treat….. Add in a bit of granulated garlic, onion and a packet of True Lemon (or a packet of lemon juice).

Butter powder is a great ingredient to up the calorie count in backpacking recipes, adds flavor and what many don’t know? Now then, for better taste, if you have a cold stream handily nearby, making sure it is tightly sealed, tether it in the stream (you can do this for so many foods!) Usually we put the bag we want chilled inside a larger zip top bag, and either use paracord threaded through a hole in the top, or weight it down on the edge with rocks. Once firmed up, you can use this butter even in recipes (for example, homemade biscuits) or use it on top of your dinner.

To make gluten-free, make sure to buy verified gluten-free oats (Bob’s Red Mill for example). This recipe is easily prepared using all the main cooking methods for backpacking recipes: One Pot, FBC (Freezer Bag Cooking) and Insulated Mug. Place freezer bag into an FBC Cozy, add 1 cup boiled water, stir well and seal, let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Cover and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

I got to test the KÜHL Trekr Pants out on a recent hike that involved finding cave entrances to a cave system right in the middle of a subdivision (look for my hiking report of that on my blog). It also features UPF 50 protection, 2 snap back pockets, 2 regular front pockets, 2 zip thigh pockets, internal waist drawcord, and includes a side seam cinch within the thigh pockets which allows you to cinch up the legs to a 27″ capri. In regular pants I wear a 36″ inseam but found that 34″ inseam in hiking pants is the perfect length as I do not need them to hit the ground like my boot jeans (yes, I wear boots and jeans on almost a daily basis). I love the fact that it offers UPF 50 protection and is quick-drying because mud and water always love to find me on the trail.

Groove Life currently have 27 different webbing and belt fascia plate options, including camouflage and woodgrain. The rucksack buckle sat happily right on top of the flat Groove buckle. The Groove  Belt is a bit fiddly to initially set up due to the snug fit of the webbing into the buckle, but this is once-off adjustment. The Groove Belt can be purchased online direct from Groove Life.

Once you reach the end of the logging road, turn right into the trees to start the main muddly, rooty trail towards Marriot Basin and Rohr Lake. If you’d like to see the full map, it is in the trip planning section of the Avalanche Canada website. We couldn’t see the route, but we were able to follow the map on my phone to find the base of the boulder field below Rohr Lake. Next time, I’d like to come in the summertime and attempt to go the whole way up Mount Rohr.

We parked at the Two Bridges Trailhead and made our way to the River Trailhead via Two Bridges Trail where we took the River Trail to the Dragonfly trail. We hiked to the Dragonfly Trailhead then retraced our steps back to where the Cliffhanger Trail and Two Bridges Trail meet. Instead of heading back to the Two Bridges Trailhead, we turned right and hiked the Cliffhanger Trail to the Cliffhanger Trailhead where we called Jerry who had hiked back to the Two Bridges Trailhead to retrieve the truck. Parking is available at the Cliffhanger Trailhead, Two Bridges Trailhead, and the Cottonwoods Kings Trailhead (which is also ADA accessible).

Fort Ebey State Park sits in the central section of Whidbey Island, just outside of Coupeville, but close to Oak Harbor. Since we moved back to Whidbey Island, I hadn’t gotten back here much, and it clicked into my mind that this would make a spring goal – to rehike the trails of Fort Ebey and the Kettles Trail System next door. When Ford and I walked it, it was around 30 miles of trails, now it is over 35 miles with the park and trail system combined. It crosses the dirt road to the group campground, then continues on downhill a short distance to the road for Point Partridge (which is a loop).

The hike to Crooked Falls is short and sweet, so it’s great when you fancy a quick-ish adventure on soggy days. From Squamish, head North on the Highway 99, then turn off onto Squamish Valley Road. After a while, the road turns into a gravel forest service road (but it isn’t too dodgy There was soo much rain and splash back from the waterfall, that we didn’t stop for snacks to admire the view like we normally do.