52 Hike Challenge - 1/52

Someone I follow on Instagram posted fun pictures all last year of their 52 Hike Challenge. I checked into it and decided it would be a fun challenge for myself this year.

Brad joined me Friday for my first trail outing of the new year - 5 miles up and down Cascade Head, just north of Lincoln City. 

It was super close to the campground we're staying at for a couple days.

The trail was in great shape for winter, with some mud but nothing horrible. 

The trail opens up in the top section, and the wind was really strong! Brad estimated 40 mph! Fortunately,  the sun was out and it was unseasonably warm - in the 60s. 

Not wanting to cool down too quickly, we took in the amazing view, snapped a couple pics, and headed back.

The trip down was pretty exciting. The switchbacks alternated between a 40-mph headwind and a 40-mph tailwind. Running downhill with that tailwind was a little scary 😁

It was our first time at Cascade Head, and we both decided the payout was definitely worth the steep trip up. Very pretty trail!