Hiking Mount Hebo

Contribution by Saul Martin

We had made arrangements to meet Mary and Al on top of Mount Hebo to hike the elk and deer trails as well as the normal hiking trail that runs clear to Hebo Lake. We planned to spend at least three days, so had loaded out truck with what seemed to be the comforts of home. We decided not to take the main highway to Hebo and up the mountain to our destination, but instead to travel through the mountains on Forest Service roads enabling us to enjoy the views and possibly observe some wildlife.

As we broke past the stand of mature Douglas Fir giving us a view of a young stand of the same we realized there was a small herd of elk feeding there. A dozen cows, 5 calves and 3 bulls were feeding on the browse provided by the lack of mature trees. The herd bull had a very respectable rack, while the two younger bulls only had managed to grow small spikes.

Suddenly I remembered that I had not set our ADT home alarm system and ask my husband if he had, which he assured me, the deed had been taken care of by him. It would have been quite a worry to be gone so long and not have set our alarm system.