August 13

Again from Medford, Oregon...

After spending Wednesday afternoon on the beach and a delicious meal of "Spaghetti and Meatballs" from REI, we were content to relax in our driftwood palace and watch the meteor shower from a beach that is miles and miles from any artificial light source. Apparently the raccoons, field mice, jack rabbits, and anonymous other animals that kept entering our wide open driftwood shelter also found it a perfect spot to star gaze.

But that was Wednesday. Thursday would be the true test of manhood that would give us both an excuse to partake of the bustling nightlife in Medford, Oregon, as only a weary traveler can.

The hike began with a harmless 3.3 mile walk across the beach that featured fresh bear tracks on the wet sand and a massive family of sea lions barking at us, although this was child's play compared to Rattlesnake Ridge. When we arrived at Buck Creek, we stared directly up at Saddle Mountain, which stands 3,000 feet above the ocean and seemingly right on top of the beach. Luckily, the trail did not waste any time, climbing almost vertically through the dense coastal redwood forest. If our legs did not already burn from 15+ miles of hiking over the previous 2 days, this trek would have been slightly easier. If there would have been any water source between the bottom and the top, it would have been a bit less terrifying. I guess the one positive I can mention is that we were never attacked by bears or rattlesnakes. However, the 3,000 foot vertical hike, without a single flat or downhill portion, was enough. Especially when our inaccurate trail map had us believing we were 1,000 vertical feet behind our true progress for the majority of the hike.

Instead of re-living this experience with a picture of the mountain, I will leave you with a beautiful picture of our 3 mile morning beach hike while spirits were still high. Love the Lost Coast.