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 | | Dayhikes: Devil's Rest via Wahkeena Falls, OR
Thursday, January 21 @ 10:39:24 PST by Drew (0 reads) |  Directions:
From Portland, OR, take I-84 east past Troutdale to exit 28 or exit 35. The easiest way to get to the trailhead is to go east from Portland and take exit 28 from I-84. This is the Bridal Veil exit. Drive about .3 miles to the stop sign and turn left, heading east on the Columbia River Scenic Highway. After about 2.5 miles from the stop sign turn left into the parking lot for Wahkeena Falls.
Traveling westbound on I-84 from the Bonneville Dam, take Ainsworth State Park exit # 35 and follow the Historic Columbia River Highway for 7.1 miles, driving past Multnomah Falls.
No permits are required for parking.
Bathrooms seasonally available at the adjoining Wahkeena Picnic Area. The next closest restrooms are .6 miles east at Multnomah Falls.
Be aware parking fills up fast all along the Columbia River Scenic Highway on weekends. Length and Elevation:
8.2 miles total, Total elevation gain 2,430 feet. High point on the trail is 2,415 feet. Trail:
Wahkeena Falls Trail #420, Vista Point Trail #419C, Devil’s Rest Trail #420C, Upper Foxglove Way, and Foxglove Way. Connects to Trail #400. There is at least one geocache along this trail at: N 45° 33.763 W 122° 07.711 Info at Geocaching.comTrail Maps:
Topo Map, National Forest Service mapReview: January 11, 2010 The trail past Wahkeena Falls and up along the creek is a well maintained trail that is heavily used. The trail begins next to the Columbia River Scenic Highway. Cross over the wood bridge to the west bank of the creek and follow the trail .3 mile through the woods to a stone bridge at the base of Wahkeena Falls. When the water flows strongly expect to be misted by the stream as it crashes into the rocks at the base of the falls. This part of the trail quickly ices over when temperatures are below freezing. The paved trail from the falls is less heavily travelled and switchbacks up the basalt rocks to a junction to Lemmon’s Viewpoint. Turn right and walk out to the viewpoint for nice views along the Gorge. At the viewpoint is a plaque commemorating a firefighter who died in 1983 fighting a fire that was in the area. Follow the trail back to the junction and continue uphill along Wahkeena Creek. From the viewpoint, the trail begins a fairly steep ascent along Wahkeena Creek. The trail crosses the creek on two wood bridges as it climbs up to Fairy Falls. There is a bench just below Fairy Falls where you can take a break and enjoy the cascading water. Bring something to sit on as the bench is often wet. From the falls, cross the creek on a single-plank bridge and continue switchbacking .3 mile from Lemmon’s Viewpoint up to the junction with Trail 419C. Take the left junction and immediately cross over Wahkeena Creek. Soon the trail levels out a bit and there is a junction to a brushy viewpoint on the left. Continue up the trail to the junction with Trail 420. Go left just about 50 feet and take Trail 420C, which climbs away to the right.
The trail climbs along the side of a ridge, past access to viewpoints, to a junction just before Devil’s Rest. 1.6 miles from the Wahkeena Trail, take an obvious right for the short ascent to Devil’s Rest.
Devil’s Rest is pretty much a pile of moss covered rocks, but it is the top of something. Walk up to the top, satisfy that urge to reach a summit, take some pictures, and decide which way to return to the trailhead. Turn right at the trail junction just below Devil’s Rest for the longer way towards Angel’s Rest and loop back or turn left and head back down the trail to the Wahkeena Trail junction.
To return the short way, retrace your steps, dropping back down and turn right at the Wahkeena Trail junction.
For the longer loop option, turn right at the trail junction just below Devil’s Rest and follow Upper Foxglove Way. Upper Foxglove Way is also a well maintained trail. You can see that Upper Foxglove Way is an abandoned logging road. It makes a very pleasant hiking trail as it drops through the forest with small clearings to let the sunlight through.
In about .5 mile is the junction to Foxglove Way. Turn right and take Foxglove Way down to trail 415. Foxglove Way doesn’t receive much maintenance.
Turn right onto Trail 415, which is fairly level and goes along above Wahkeena Creek and to Wahkeena Springs. This is a great place to fill up with water if you’re low on water. This is one of the rare places where the creek bursts right out of the rocks. Enjoy the sound of the torrent of water rushing down the mountain as it heads towards the Columbia River. Listen to the sounds of the stream as it slowly recedes the farther you get from it. Look back and you can see the whitewater splashing down the hillside.
From the spring, follow the trail about 200 feet to a junction with Trail 420. Follow this trail along the creek back down to the junction with Trail 419C, and continue down the trail back to the trailhead. The trail is safe for small children as long as you keep them away from the cliffs at Lemmon’s Viewpoint and other viewpoints. Enjoy the photos!! Gallery PicsSwitchback Steve
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Dayhikes: Rock Creek Trail, WA
Friday, October 02 @ 11:29:41 PDT by Drew (85 reads) | Vicinity Location:
Rock Creek Trail is about 35 miles Northeast of Portland, Oregon.
Directions:
From Portland, Oregon, there are two ways to drive to the trailhead. If you have an extra 30 minutes then make your trip a loop drive. For the loop drive, take I-205 north across the Columbia River. Exit I-205 on HWY 14 east for about 35 miles to junction of Hwy 14 and Bridge of the Gods. Drive 1.5 miles farther east and turn left onto Rock Creek Road and follow the rest of the directions from Rock Creek Drive.
For the non-loop option, take I-84 east from Portland and take exit #44 for Cascade Locks. Take the first right turn, just after you go under the Bridge of the Gods. Pay the $1.00 toll, cross the bridge, and turn right onto Hwy 14 and drive 1.5 miles east and turn left onto Rock Creek Drive.
Drive on Rock Creek Drive about .3 miles and turn left on Foster Creek Road, which is the first county road on the left after Skamania Lodge. Drive .8 mile up a hill on the paved road until you see the power towers. The road turns into SW Ryan Allen Road. Turn left on Red Bluff Road and drive under the powerlines. Continue .3 mile on the paved Red Bluff Road, crossing on a one-lane bridge over a creek. Just past the one-lane bridge, turn right where it says Marantha Road Private and drive off the pavement and onto CG2000 for .3 mile.
At the next junction you should see a sign for CG2020 and CG2000. Take the right fork on CG2000. Continue left past the next main junction, CG2030, and continue another 5.1 miles to a bridge over Rock Creek. The road gets narrower and bumpier as you drive along. A view of Steep Creek Falls spilling into Rock Creek is across the road at the bridge. Continue just .9 mile past the bridge to an unsigned parking area, which is a grassy spot just off the left side of the road.
To return, take Hwy 14 east and cross the Columbia River at the Bridge of the Gods. The toll is $1.00 for the bridge. After the bridge, the road loops around and intersects Hwy 30, Cascade Locks Hwy, near the base of the bridge. Turn left here and you will merge onto I-84 west in about ½ mile. Follow I-84 west, back to Portland.
No permits are required to park at this trailhead.
Pets allowed. No bikes are allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail.
No bathrooms are available at the trailhead.
Length and Elevation:
10.5 miles roundtrip. Elevation gain and loss totals xx Feet.
Trail:
Rock Creek Trail and #2000, Pacific Crest Trail, Forest Road 41.
Trail Maps:
Topo Map
Review: September 27, 2009, February 7, 2010.
This is a loop trail that uses a lightly travelled Forest Service Road on part of the return leg.
Look across the road for an old unmarked trail cut into the gentle slope and follow that uphill. There my be a lot of deadfall in the trail and you will have to use your routefinding skills to discern the trail. Use the GPS waypoints to help find the trail.
After you have followed the trail for about 200 feet, you will come to a large collapsed wood bridge. From there, the trail is much easier to follow as it ascends the mountain. The trail starts swichbacking up the slope just past the bridge and becomes much easier to follow. After the fist set of switchback, the trail goes up the side of a forested valley and begins several more switchbacks as it climbs to a forested ridge. The trail follows the ridge upwards at a gentler grade than what the switchbacks were. Through the trees there are some views of the surrounding ridges, but the views are mostly obscured by the second growth Douglas fir trees. There is plenty of bushwhacking along this section of the trail.
After about a mile, the trail starts to drop down, crosses over a small saddle and starts climbing again. Some portions of the trail are easy to follow but there are other sections where you have to pick your way cautiously because the deadfall has obscured the trail for 50 or 60 feet at a time. The trail continues to climb gently for about another mile past multiple deadfalls and crosses over another saddle into another valley at waypoint 026.
The trail makes a pretty sharp right and continues north. In about .2 mile after the saddle is the border between the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Washington State Land Trust. The trail passes by an old wooden sign that is off to the left side.
At the 4-way junction, turn left and go down the PCT. If you look to the right you can see a PCT trail marker on a nearby tree. If you take a side-trip and go straight at the junction, the trail goes up to the abandoned Forest Road 41. The PCT parallels this abandoned road as it goes downhill. On the PCT you finally start getting some views of the hills to the east. The well maintained PCT skirts along a ridge and you can enjoy the breezes and the woodsy smells of the forest.
After you pass a set of rock cliffs, look for a scramble route up to flat areas and great views of Mt. Hood from above the cliffs. The PCT continues for the next few miles gently downhill, steadily losing elevation. It travels through mostly Hemlock forest with an understory of Vine Maples, Huckleberries, Bracken fern, Salal, and Beargrass.
At waypoint 029, the trail starts switchbacking down a gully and crosses over a tiny trickle of water. In the fall, this is the first water along the trail, but it is only enough to get your handkerchief wet. Continuing down the switchbacks the trail crosses another trickling stream and continues down the other side of the little valley, then turns back to the south. This stream looks like it can turn into a large torrent of water in the spring.
After another mile or so in the woods, the trail passes above a couple of waterfalls and a small stream. This section of the Pacific Crest Trail descends a little more steeply past some rock cliffs as it follows the valley down to the road.
The character of the forest begins to change as the trail continues downstream above the tributary to Rock Creek. Plants that like more water replace the plants that thrive in drier soils.
The trail rounds a bend, goes up a small valley, and crosses another tiny trickle of water. Now Maidenhair ferns, Ducksfoot, Apple Clover appear on the forest floor and the trail parallels Rock Creek. Pleasant sounds of Rock Creekc an be heard and the creek can be glimpsed through the trees. There is a small campsite along the trail about .3 mile from where the PCT intersects Red Bluff Road, CG2000.
When the trail comes out to the road, turn left, and head down the road for about 1.75 miles back to your car. Make a left at the next road junction, continuing downhill along Rock Creek. At the junction with CG2000 and CG2002, turn left, cross the bridge, then turn right.
The Rock Creek Trail needs maintenance but has some nice views. The trail is fairly steep and brushy which makes for a drenching hike on a wet day.
This descending section of the Pacific Crest Trail is a gem as it parallels the tributary to Rock Creek. In late winter and spring there is almost always the sounds of the stream to accompany you.
Enjoy the Photos!
Gallery Pics
Switchback Steve
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General Information: 2010 Eyehike Calendar
Friday, October 02 @ 11:27:24 PDT by Drew (0 reads) | The 2010 Eyehike Calendar is now available. The cost for calendars from the first run is $20 including tax and postage. You can also include a special message that willl be mailed with your calendar. Priority delivery is available at an extra cost. Email sttjones@q.com to order.
See samples from the 2010 Eyehike Calendar in the Photo Gallery.
Happy Holidays!
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Dayhikes: Gibbons Creek Wildlife Art Trail, WA
Friday, October 02 @ 11:24:53 PDT by Drew (0 reads) | Vicinity Location:
Gibbons Creek Wildlife Trail is about 17 miles East of Portland, OR, on the north shore of the Columbia River.
Directions:
From Portland, Take I-205 north across the Columbia River. Get into the right lane while crossing the river and take exit 27 for Washington State Route Hwy 14 East towards Camas. Take SR-14 East for 12.3 miles and pass Washougal, Washington. At Milepost 18, turn right at the entrance to the Gibbons Creek Wildlife Art Trailhead.
No permits are required to park at this trailhead.
Park Rules and Regulations:
Park Hours are 6 a.m. to dusk.
No animals allowed. No bikes, no running or jogging on the trails.
Toilets are available at the parking lot.
Length and Elevation:
2.25 miles roundtrip. Elevation gain and loss totals 20 Feet.
Trail:
Gibbons Creek Wildlife Art Trail with connections to Steigerwald Lake Trail.
Trail Maps:
Topo Map
Review: September 28, 2009.
On Sunday, June 14, 2009, the Gibbons Creek Wildlife Art Trail opened to the public. This 2.25-mile trail connects to the existing Steigerwald Lake Trail, which is along the southern boundary of the refuge on the Columbia River dike. Along the trail, enjoy the wildlife and migratory birds as you walk past Cottonwood groves, fields, marshes, creeks, and lakes.
Start from waypoint TRGCT at the large gravel parking area and walk south. This trail has hardly any tree cover, which is a consideration on hot summer days. The trail is a wide, hard-packed gravel path and has views of the surrounding countryside.
The path goes past a large patch of cattails and a meadow of rustling grass. The trail passes just below a dike and crosses Gibbons Creek. There is a basalt bench to sit on and look out to Steigerwald Lake where the trail crosses the creek.
The trail winds through the meadow and passes through a stand of cottonwood trees. The gravel path goes a bit farther and reaches a trail junction. Take the trail to the right and cross the bridge and pass through the cottonwood grove to another footbridge over a marshy area. The marshy area opens to the shores of a Scaup Pond, a small lake to the east. There are several basalt rock benches along the trails to sit on and watch the birds.
Continue along the path through the fields for about .5 mile, passing by Red Tail Lake. The next junction is a connection with the Steigerwald Trail. Make a left and walk along a slough of the Columbia River to the next junction .5 mile east. There are views of Mt. Hood, but the base of Mt. Hood is blocked by the hills just across the river. There are good views across the river to Oregon and dogs and bicycles are allowed on this section of the trail.
Turn left on the gravel trail about .6 mile back to the first bridge and trail junction, passing along a small stream and pond which are mostly hidden by grass and brush. From here it is an easy walk back along the path to the trailhead.
This is a perfect first hike for small children because of the level paths and well graded trails. There are railings to protect youngsters from falling off the trail into the water. This being at the west end of the Columbia River Gorge, the winds here can blow at 40 miles per hour from the east. When the weather is cold, the wind will make for a short visit at the refuge.
There is an excellent probability of seeing birds in the nearby lakes but be sure to bring binoculars or a spotting scope because the lakes aren’t right next to the trail.
Enjoy the Photos!
Gallery Pics
Switchback Steve
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Dayhikes: Drift Creek Falls, OR
Friday, October 02 @ 11:18:25 PDT by Drew (0 reads) | Vicinity Location:
About 60 miles southwest of Portland, Oregon near Lincon City, Oregon. Directions:
From Lincoln City, drive south from Lincoln City. About .25 mile south of the city limits of Lincoln City, turn left onto Drift Creek Road. Follow Drift Creek Road for .25 mile and turn left onto Forest Road 17 (not Anderson Creek Road) and drive about 10 miles to the trailhead.
To reach the second road access, from Portland, Oregon, take I-5 South to Salem and take exit 258. Follow signs for Highway 22 west towards Lincoln City. Drive onHighway 22 west for 25.8 miles, then take the exit onto Highway 18 for 22.2 miles. Turn left onto Bear Creek County Road for 3.5 miles. Continue straight 7 more miles on Forest Service Road 17 to trailhead.
A Northwest Forest Pass or a $5 day-use parking permit is required. Outhouses are available at the trailhead parking lot. Dogs on leashes are allowed on these trails. Length and Elevation:
2.5 miles round trip to the suspension bridge and 3 miles round trip to the creek. Elevation gain 50 feet and 500 feet loss. Total gain and loss is 550 feet one way. Elevation at the trailhead is 910 feet, the high point of the trail is 910 feet. Elevation at the bridge is 630. Elevation at the end of the trail is 532 feet. Trail:
Drift Creek Falls Trail #1378. Trail Maps:
Topo MapDrift Creek Falls Trail #1378. Follow this link for information from Mt. Hebo Ranger District Review: July 24, 2009 From the parking lot, walk down the wide, well gravelled trail through the second growth trees. The trail makes a couple of gentle switchbacks as it drops down to cross a small stream. There is a trail junction for the North Loop Trail. I didn't take this trail becaue of the wet bushed overhanging the trail and waiting to slather me with water. The main trail continues for about .3 mile on a fairly level grade and approaches the two highlights of the hike. The first thing you see is the 240 foot long suspension bridge pretty much in the middle of nowhere. This is reputed to be the longest hiker suspension bridge in the Northwest. The support towers at each end are 29 feet tall and the main bridge cables are 1-1/4" thick which are anchored into the bedrock. There are extra cables along the deck of the bridge to keep the swaying to a minimum. The bridge was built in 1997. Standing in the center of the span, you see the waterfall making a 90 foot plunge to the creek below. The bridge provides a bird's eye view of the waterfall roaring over the cliffs to the Drift Creek. From here it is a .25 mile hike down to Drift Creek. Be careful because there are a couple of steep, slippery spots as you make your way down the last few hundred feet of the trail. Once at the creek, be careful crossing on the slippery rocks. Find a spot to sit and enjoy the views, then make your way back up the trail to the car. This is a great hike for kids who don't have a fear of heights and will follow rules about staying back from the edges of cliffs. Enjoy the photos!! Gallery PicsSwitchback Steve
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