Breitenbush to Jefferson Park attempt

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Crazy hat ladies at Breitenbush

 A few weekends ago Amber, Susan and I went to Breitenbush Hot Springs for a few nights away. Of course being that close to new trails or trail we don't get to that often, I planned a route for Susan and me to run. 
Emerald Forest Trail


Beautiful, mossy Breitenbush River


Breitenbush River

The South Breitenbush Gorge trail leaves right from Breitenbush Hot Springs and follows the Breitenbush River for several miles, before dead ending on Forest Road 4685. Following FR 4685 for about a mile you reach a trailhead and reconnect with the South Breitenbush Gorge trail, which you can follow for another 6 miles to Jefferson Park.

Huge Skunk Cabbage
Orchid blooming

Jefferson Park is a very picturesque area filled with alpine lakes and meadows at the base of Mt. Jefferson. I have backpacked there several times but Susan and I have not had the chance to run the trails to it yet. Having a perfect ~20 mile out and back from Breitenbush Hot Springs to Jefferson Park made it easy to decide what route to run.

One of the many and different bridges over the Breitenbush River
Fallen log bridge

A fallen tree makes a great base for a bridge

One of the things about Breitenbush is all the meals are served at set times, 8 am for breakfast and 1pm for lunch. Which meant we needed to fit a long run in between meal times, instead we decided to skip breakfast to give ourselves a little more time to run. It also helped knowing that when we got done running there was going to be all (well mostly) you can eat vegetarian / vegan food for lunch.

Rhodies still in bloom in the mountain
The trail from Breitenbush to Jefferson Park is mostly uphill but runnable at least until a little bit past the 2nd trailhead sign, then it turns pretty rocky. We hiked as fast as we could up the rocky parts, trying to make it to Jefferson Park before we needed to turn around to make it back in time for lunch. There were several places where we thought the trees were going to clear around the next corner, but they just kept going. Sadly we never made it to Jefferson Park, but we did get some good views of Mt. Jefferson. 

Our view of Mt. Jefferson
Mt Jefferson

We made it back just in time for lunch. We spend the rest of the weekend soaking, taking yoga classes, getting massages and hanging out. I couldn't of ask for a better way to spend the weekend, especially after a long run. 
Columbine
Ann crosses a stream

Exploding wildflowers

White iris

Blooming lupine

Straight out of True Detectives

Rainbow fungus rings

Breitenbush River crossing

Location: Breitenbush Hot Springs, OR, USA

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