Agent of the Wild
June 2026 Newsletter
Climbing A Mountain
Illahee Rock | Douglas County, Oregon
The Journey of Fatherhood
Climbing A Mountain
Some things in life can only be appreciated after they have been lived. People might say, “Oh, like riding a roller coaster,” or “like the day of graduation.” There are some emotions that have to be experienced personally before they can really be understood.
Graduation is one of those moments. You can talk about the crowd, the ceremony, the excitement, and the feeling of standing at the edge of a new life, but until you are there, it is difficult to understand what it means.
Over time, those moments become more than memories. They become a kind of home. A place in the mind where belonging, purpose, and identity all meet.
I can remember a lot of times like that in my life, but one stands out more than any other. It was not one moment. It was not one ceremony. It was not a single day that came and went.
It has been a journey.
I am talking about fatherhood.
Embracing the Future | Douglas County, Oregon
A feeling of home, purpose, and dedication. Not unlike graduation, but instead of lasting for one day, it asks you to keep showing up, keep learning, and keep climbing.
It’s funny how certain things come to mind. The climb up to a mountain top with my boys made me think about fatherhood in a way I had not expected. A journey upward to a peak. Not all that different from graduation, in a way. Both are symbols of climbing upward, reaching a summit, and standing for a moment in a place that took effort to reach.
The hike to Illahee Rock was part of a planned outing with Umpqua Watersheds and the Wilderness Committee. It was led by Diana Pace, who has written a book about her hiking adventures, and was part of a program that puts together multiple hikes throughout the year. That gave the day a little more meaning from the beginning. We were not just going for a walk in the woods. We were joining others who cared enough about these places to learn them, walk them, and share them.
The Climb | Douglas County, Oregon
The road to Illahee follows the Umpqua River into country that already feels like it is preparing you for something. By the time you start climbing, the landscape begins to open. From the top, you can see peaks like Mount Bailey, Mount Thielsen, and Mount Scott in the distance. The wildflowers were in bloom too. Indian paintbrush, fawn lilies, and so many others making their presence known high on the mountain, where their seeds can travel far.
The ascent to Illahee Rock is impressive. Winding turns. Rock trails that sound like an instrument as you walk along them. Views of other mountains, flat plains, and clouds stretched across the sky like cotton. All of it beautiful in its own right, but still only part of the journey.
Learning Along the Way | Douglas County, Oregon
There were moments along the trail where the climb slowed us down. Not because we were lost, but because the mountain asked us to pay attention. Each step mattered a little more. The rocks shifted under our feet. The trail narrowed in places. The boys looked ahead, then back at me, measuring the path in front of them against the confidence they were trying to find inside themselves. Those are the moments I remember most. Not the easy steps, but the ones where they had to decide to keep going.
I took my boys on this adventure and watched in awe as their determination, mastery of fear, and appreciation for life guided their steps up the mountain. They were assured by the calmness of their father and the steady support that allowed them to embrace challenge, face uncertainty, and enjoy the experience it brought. Those kids could climb that mountain because they felt at home in the comfort of their Father.
It is amazing what climbing a mountain can do. It does not only impress your senses. It can remind you of home, even when you could not be farther away.
A good father walks with you and guides you along the way. He does not convince his children that the mountain is small. He does not pretend the climb is easy. He does not remove every hard step before they take it. Instead, he walks with them. He lets them feel the challenge, while making sure they know they are not alone inside of it.
Illahee Rock & Lookout | Douglas County, Oregon
It could be the reassurance I gave my youngest when the path was narrow. “I know it’s small, but you’ve got this. Focus on what you are doing. Pay attention to each step. Smooth and easy. I’m right behind ya.” It is amazing what a little support can do for a young mind. Achievement is not only in reaching the top, but in making it through each obstacle along the way.
Eventually, we made it to the top. We had faced fear, walked through uncertainty, and found respite in moments of support.
Fear not, for I am with you.
I never thought climbing a mountain could be such a great thing. It could have been just another wilderness hike. But it was a lot more than that to me.
You can learn more about Umpqua Watersheds here:
https://umpquawatersheds.org/
You can also learn more about the Crater Lake Wilderness Proposal here:
https://umpquawatersheds.org/wilderness/
The hike to Illahee Rock was part of a guided outing with Umpqua Watersheds and the Wilderness Committee. These hikes are part of an ongoing effort to help people experience, understand, and appreciate the wild places of the Umpqua region.
You can also follow Umpqua Watersheds on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/UmpquaWatersheds/
For updates specific to the Crater Lake Wilderness Proposal, you can visit the Crater Lake Wilderness Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/CraterLakeWilderness/
What do you think of the photos? If one of them speaks to you, high-quality prints are available. Just send me an email and we can discuss what size and style would work best for you.
For the trail nerds out there: the climb did not turn me into a mountain goat, but it did give me a little more perspective.
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Dan Amos (Agent of the Wild)
