December 2014 : Willamette National Forest

On my way home (after being scared away from the fire tower), I wanted to stop everywhere, it was amazing how quickly the scenery changed.

 

I'm kinda in love, can't wait to go back!

 

 

 ^ looks like another horror story in the making to me!

 

 

 

 ^ I have no idea why there are all these tree stumps... I tried to search online but couldn't find anything about what was going on here.

 

December 2014 : Warner Mountain Lookout 1 / 3

Part one, two & three.

Last week some friends had an extra night in a fire tower...and there was nothing that would have kept me away.
 

Not a National Weather Service Storm Warning for the area (for high winds).

Not the fact that I forgot chains for my car (realized that when I got to the lookout tower).

Not that I couldn't get anyone to go with me, so I would have to go alone.

Not the possibility that I would have to snowshoe 3 miles... alone... in the dark to get there.

Anyway- despite all that... I made it!

Have you ever stayed the night alone in a fire tower, during a windstorm

Don't.

Seriously. DON'T.

I was terrified. Actually I was BEYOND terrified. IT WAS HORRIBLE.

I was so so so so so sure that I was going to die... either by someone coming up and murdering me, by freezing to death, by carbon monoxide poising from the fireplace. Every possibility was thought of.

I got there within 5 minutes of it becoming totally dark. I can not even imagine how I could have possibly hiked in the dark without having a heart attack. 

However-the cabin itself was so cute! 

I took these in the morning- note the frozen snow on the window :/

 

 

^^this cute map would have been helpful if I could see more then 5 feet in front of my face  :)

December 2014 : Warner Mountain Lookout 2 / 3

Part one, two & three.

The next morning, after sleeping about 3 hours total, I woke up to this:

 about an inch of snow- and lots of clouds.

It was super quiet and peaceful. One might almost say frighteningly so. :) I decided to walk down to my car and check out how the road looked (it was totally fine).

 ^ check out my cute new boots! :) an early Christmas present from my Mom. Thanks, Mom!

 ^ there was a TINY break in the clouds, but it lasted about five minutes.

I walked around for about an hour and a half, but there really wasn't much to see. Obviously no views. I did find the outdoor shower (it took me awhile I figure out what it was!), and there was a cool meadow with a lot of animal tracks. This in some ways made me feel better because I wasn't crazy! I really was hearing noises the night before! I think they were mostly deer. 

Is this not amazing?! I can't believe I got to stay in it. (& I didn't take any pictures, but I was able to climb into the top part, too.) 

December 2014 : Warner Mountain Lookout 3 / 3

Part one, two & three.

By 11:30 I was sufficiently freaked-and since my friends weren't going to be meeting me for about 6 more hours-I decided to call it in early and go home.

 Kind of a bummer because it was AMAZING and a long drive, but I was so anxious I know I wouldn't have enjoyed myself at all, even if I stayed.

The drive out was awesome. I have never really spent much time in the Willamette National Park,  but I WILL be going back. It was crazy how different the landscape was, even within 10-15 minutes.

THANK YOU SO MUCH C & D for letting me stay! I had an amazing, once in a life time trip. Seriously, once in a life time because I am never doing that (alone) again! xo