Snowshoe: White River Canyon, Government Camp, OR

Getting There

It was the last day of the year. Being behind on my hiking goals, I wanted to squeeze in one more outing. I saw the weather was looking favorable in the Gorge and around Mt Hood. 

A couple people posted amazing pictures from Silver Star. One person on AllTrails reported the road (L-1200) was in terrible shape while another said the road was fine. As I was driving on Hwy 30/N Killingsworth toward the I-205 turn, I considered hiking Silver Star but my decision was made when I turned right onto the southbound lanes towards Troutdale. I was going to Mt Hood like I said I was, stick to the plan). 

White River Sno-Park, an old favorite, was my destination. I passed the Mirror Lake parking lot: full, as expected. I still go a late start but figured I'd still have plenty of time for my usual route to the end of the trail. I stopped at Government Camp for a pitstop. 

The road were pretty clear to the Hwy 35 turn and to White River. The parking lot was less than half full. I wondered how much snow there actually was on the ground up in the canyon. No matter, I wasn't going anywhere else. (Trillium Lake didn't look promising, too crowded, flat loop.)

The Hike

Length: 5.53 mi
Elev. gain: 1,640 ft
Moving time: 2:38:41
Avg pace: 28:43
Calories: 1,398
Total time: 3:14:42 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got suited up with my snow boots and snowshoes, and powder baskets on my poles. The snow on the ground was well packed and there weren't any post holes. Despite the clear skies, the sno-park wasn't very busy compared to other times I've been here. 

Once I got passed that last sledding hill, I veered off into the middle of the canyon, to the right (north) of the trees. I crossed the creek before putting on my snow shoes. 

 

The clouds were amazing when I started the hike. I only encountered one other snow shoer on the trail. He had a light pack, no poles and looked like a cotton sweatshirt. ಠ_ಠ

The end of the trail was in sight but also looked far away. I was feeling good and had plenty of time (i.e. daylight). I made a mental note that I wanted to start heading back down by 2:30p. I had one hour to reach the end of the road.

I heard some voices far away. I could see the Palmer chairlift moving on the ridge but probably too far. I thought there might be some people looking from the rim near Timberline Lodge. Nope, it was at least one person (probably two having a conversation). on the a steep hillside to my left (southwest). They were probably climbing up to have some fresh turns on skis or snowboard. Short but sweet section. 

The clouds had moved out by the time I reached this point, 2pm. In fact, the air seemed "warm". I guessed it was around low 40s. The snow was getting pretty mushy in spots. I don't know what my packed weighed but played a factor. I saw some snow shoe tracks that were on the top of the snow, probably made when it was a lot cooler.

I also noted that the snow coverage was pretty minimal compared to previous visits, lots of rocks showing. 

I made it to my destination. The end of the road. This looks like an ancient glacial valley.

Here is my last picture of Mt Hood as I was winding my way back to the car. 3pm. 

I couldn't find a suitable route to climb into the trees for my descent so I returned the way I'd come. I'd seen a few sets of human-made tracks lower down coming from the trees. My biggest concern was creeks next to the small cliff. 

I saw a short section that looked promising. I was able to climb my way up and over the berm. The snow in the trees was softer than I'd expected. I thought the shade would have slowed the thaw. I found a couple of ski tracks. I followed some other snow-shoe tracks for awhile but ended up leaving the trees before that last sledding hill. I took my snow-shoes off where I'd put them on earlier, just before a creek crossing.

The direct sun was gone, just the blue light over everything. There were still lots of sledders having fun.

A little kid on a saucer zoomed by and skidded to a stop. They looked up and stared for a few beats before I waved and said "howdy". I'm sure I was a bit of a sight: sunglasses, trucker hat, big backpack with Garmin InReach & red MSHI patch. S&R? Mountain man? Astronaut? LOL.

Hike: Hamilton Mountain + Hardy Creek, N Bonneville, WA

Getting There

Just after Doetsch Ranch you'll see the Ranger Station on the north side of the road just before the Beacon Rock parking lot, then another road across from the bathrooms. The road winds up the hill for a bit.

It was late morning and the weather was slightly overcast but I expected some nice views from up above. By the time, I got to the Saddle, I could see sunshine on the frosted tops of the mountains on the Oregon side of the river. It was windy though and getting darker. 

The Hike

Length: 8.52 mi
Elev. gain: 2,234 ft
Moving time: 3:35:28
Total time: 4:08:57
Avg pace: 25:17
Calories: 1,898

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trail News

The front section of the Hamilton Mountain trail is closed from the trailhead to the powerlines/junction. There was a major landslide a couple weeks ago. 

This is a screen cap from WTA Ryan's video on the PortlandHiker's Facebook page.

This is not far from the parking lot. In the video, Ryan pans left, down the trail, and you can see the parking lot. No ETA on when the repairs will start. For now, you can hike through the campground and use the Hadley Grove Trail to get to the Hamilton Mountain Trail past/above the landslide.
 

 

 

 

It's been three weeks since my last hike. Even though I love the photos I'm getting when I do muster the energy to get out there, my motivation has been low. My chest has been weirdly tight for a few weeks. I know I'm in good enough shape to tackle these hikes. The forecast showed no rain and only mid-40s between Washougal and N Bonneville.

When I reached the first viewpoint, the sun was clearly shining brightly. This is also the point when I've gone past Rodney Falls and am feeling pretty warmed up. My tight chest didn't seem to be an issue.

I stopped to consider where the new trail segment will be created at the foot of Little Hamilton. I saw Ryan's and Stasia's orange flagging. Since this trail and state park is so important to me, I hope I can participate in this work. However, I'll be a bit sad that this section of the difficult switchbacks will be decommissioned. There are short, exposed viewpoints like the following three pictures below that will no longer be accessible (without "trespassing"?). 

  

 

Another user trail that will be decommissioned is the a steep gash up the side of Little Hamilton. I know it's just going to keep getting damaged. Today I hiked up it for the second time. It's a little sketchy, lol. Still a good way to get up there, for variety. Guess I'll get another year or so to enjoy this before work is started in 2027.

After my Lil' Ham detour, I continued up. For some reason, I asked a solo hiker coming down about the conditions at the top. In hindsight, I should have just waved/said hello and kept to myself. I find myself chatting with at least acknowledging people on the trail, given my time as a Hiking Steward. I need to be cognizant about taking to solo female hikers on the trail. 

When I reached the last set of switchbacks to the top, I found my first bit of lingering snow and ice. There wasn't enough to warrant microspikes but I had them just in case. At this point, I still hadn't decided if I was continuing to the Saddle or was just going to do an up-n-back. I would decide at the top. I crossed paths with a guy wearing shorts. Geez Louise.

At the top, I saw lots of boot and dog prints going to the Saddle. The snow wasn't hard and slippery. I was feeling good and I was glad I was doing my loop.

The Saddle was pretty windy and chilly. Not a good spot to stop and eat like I have on recent previous hikes here. I was going to stop anyway and get out my spectacles and tighten my R boot.

To my surprise, I reflexively looked over my right shoulder and saw someone. A trail runner in shorts and thin long sleeved top. They were wearing a small hydration pack. We exchanged a couple words but I lingered and watched them go by.

I thought about how some people take a calculated risk. I imagined encountering someone like that who and twisted an ankle or something. I was prepared. I thought about that rescue in Ape Cave with Ted, and that feeling of being unprepared. 

However one wants to justify bringing such a heavy pack on these hikes is fine by me. "Better to have it and no need it, than need it and not have it." Someone else might need what I have in my pack: first aid, food, clothing, hydration. The extra weight will help me get "more" in shape and reassurance in physical abilities for more remote hikes.

I didn't take any more photos after the one above. 

As I headed through Hadley Grove, I studied the sunlight on the Oregon mountains in view. I judged that I'd missed the best light from the perch atop Little Beacon Rock. For the first time in awhile, I skipped this side quest. My hips were hurting and I was glad to use what little energy I had left to get back to the car.

The trailhead parking lot was nearly empty but there were more cars than I expected since I'd only seen one family up by Rodney Falls. It was dark. I'd made the right call to skip Lil' Beacon. 

Hike: Oneonta Gorge via Horsetail Falls, Corbett, OR

Getting There

The hardest thing about hiking, especially in the winter months, is getting out of the house. I know I have about 3 weeks to try to squeeze in a few more hikes and up my stats. Like my previous hike reports, I got a later start so I had to pick somewhere close to home since it gets dark around 4:30p on the Oregon side of the Gorge.

I knew Ponytail Falls was short hike and while I like Oneonta Gorge, it doesn't offer views like some other Oregon Gorge hikes or most of them on the Washington side. I thought I would fit in TWO short hikes. I've been wanting to get back to Mitchell Point and the view point way above.

It was overcast but I saw it would only be partly cloudy in the late afternoon, slivers of blue sky and sunset colors. I only found a couple cars in the parking lot, and they weren't hiking per se. 

The Hike

Length: 6.88 mi
Elev. gain: 1,929 ft
Moving time: 3:16:17
Avg pace: 28:31
Calories: 1,729
Total time: 3:30:50 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I geared up and set out on my hike. Not far up the trail, I saw some folks I'd seen leaving the parking lot making their way up the switchbacks. The trail looked familiar from my last visit with TKO to build the rock wall.

Not far after that I met a girl seemingly on her way down dressed in leisureware. She flagged me down and asked me to take a photo for her. As usual, I'll take a couple of shots: landscape, portrait, slight adjustments to composition, zoom level (0.5x, 1.0x). I pulled up the last shot on her phone and offered to take more if she wanted. She took me up on the offer and changed her pose. I noticed the lens on the back of the phone had a smudge. I fumbled for something to clean it with. She offered the sleeve of her sweater. It was vaguely intimate as I gently held her wrist while I clean the camera lens. She was appreciative and asked where I was going and how far the upper waterfall was. I assured her it wasn't very far up the trail, <0.5 mile. She seemed reinvigorated to turn around and make the ascent. I wished her well and took off at a quicker pace.

I zoomed up the trail and passed the group I'd seen earlier. I crossed behind Ponytail Falls and continued on the trail towards Oneonta. I saw that group across the way but not the girl. I hope she made it.

I followed the trail west towards Oneonta Gorge. There was a viewpoint but already two people enjoying the scenery. I skipped it and kept going. I'd seen the route and switchbacks way down below from the other side so I knew what to expect. Somewhere along the way I decided to only hike here and not try to hit Mitchell Viewpoint. I would hike up to where we had lunch with TKO.

And, that's what I did. I kept plodding forward. Noting trees that were down over the trail but not taking GPS coordinates or photos. I'm sure TKO will be back in Spring to deal with them like we did last late winter.

I only saw two other hikers at Triple Falls and beyond. I felt comfortable but knew I'd never reach any end of the road or view, I would just timebox my hike: Reach that upper bridge by 3pm or turn back.

I stopped at Triple Falls to take my requisite photos and inspect the work we did last winter with TKO. I remember when we finally kicked the huge root ball over the side or the tree dropped on the edge of the trail as a border/reinforcement for erosion.

The descent requires a lot of attention to foot placement as there are tons of rock, slippery surfaces, and sketchy steep cliffs. It is mentally taxing. I breathed a sigh of relief when I started down to the bridge back to the east side of the gorge and on my way back to Ponytail Falls and my car.

I stopped at the viewpoint I'd skipped on my ascent. The skies were colorful as it was almost sunset.

By the time I reached Ponytail Falls, it was getting pretty dark. I wasn't worried because I was just a 0.25 mile from the trailhead and I could finish the hike without digging out my flashlight. I took a few photos of the waterfall. The long exposure made for some cool, ethereal shots.

The hike was almost done. I'd seen a photographer perched on the cliff side before I got to Ponytail, waiting for the perfect lighting. On a longer section of the lower switchbacks, I saw a couple with a dog on a leash. I thought I saw some recognition as we got closer to each other. One of them sat down on rock or stump. When I got about 6 ft away, I said "Good evening". The person sitting down gasped and I'd clearly scared them. I apologized and said I'd thought they'd stop to rest and let me pass. But they hadn't actually seen me. Oops. I repeated my apology and bounced down the trail.

Sure enough, I saw their car and photographer's car in the lot. I changed my shoes and into dry clothes. Not super long hike compared to recent outing to Angel's & Devil's Rest and Dog Mountain. I was glad to get one more hike under my belt.

Next hike will be on my birthday. I hope I don't get too tired from two work parties at Beacon Rock. 

Hike: Dog Mountain via Auspurger Trail, Cook, WA

Getting There

I adhered to my usual M.O: I got a late(r) start and didn't really know where I was headed when I left the house. I'd told my mom and she told my aunt that I was going to Dog Mountain, but I really wasn't sold yet. 

I knew it wasn't Kings Mountain because to eastbound. I instinctively found my way onto I-84 east. That meant that I wasn't heading to Silver Star. I was going somewhere in the Gorge. Wahkeena/Multnomah Falls was out since that was my hike a week before. I considered Eagle Creek but figured it would be crowded. I tried to visualize Ponytail to Oneonta Gorge, tempting but no.

I continued to Hood River, where I had several options. When I got to that point in the journey, across from the Dog Mountain Trailhead, I saw a block of color: cars. It was a somewhat rare nice day so maybe it wasn't doable. (I thought about summer days when cars were parked (illegally) along Hwy 14, or when parking permits were required.

I stopped in Hood River to top off my tank and grab some water since I'd left my insulated water bottles at home. Oops. I crossed the bridge to WA, noting the automated fare system. On the WA side, I hesitated at the signal: should I go eastbound to Lyle/Cherry Orchard + Coyote Wall, or westbound to Dog Mountain, my stated destination. Fuck it.

I found the parking lot only partially filled with plenty of spots. It wasn't nearly as crowded as it had looked from across the river. I wanted to try something new, Augspurger. 

The Hike

Length: 7.31 mi
Elev. gain: 2,812 ft
Moving time: 3:22:28
Avg pace: 27:43
Calories: 1,784
Total time: 3:42:10 

 

 

 

 

 

The last time I was here, I worked on the lower section of the Dog Mountain Trail so not a hike. I did count the trail work party we did on the Auspurger Trail back in April 2024 and I hadn't actually hiked Dog Mountain since March 2024, and the top was deeply covered with snow. 

The trail was vaguely familiar from 1 1/2 ago, ... vaguely. I enjoyed the views of Wind Mountain and the river. I wasn't really expecting to encounter anyone on this side but was surprised to see several folks on their way down, completing the Dog Mountain/Augspurger Loop.

I even met a fellow volunteer from MSHI that recognized the patch on my pack. I mentioned getting a later start and hoped I had enough daylight. She assured me that the loop should only take 3 to 3-1/2 hours. I was relieved a little. (I thought about my hike around Smith Rock and the section to the upper side of the Burma Road Trail: I wasn't sure how far it was.) I wish AllTrails could show you distances to the next junction or waypoint.

The trail climbs steadily the entire way. My legs were burning but I felt good. I thought I passed a section of the trail I remember working on. I knew our turnaround point was a switchback. I delayed a map check until then. When I got there, I still had a ways to go but mot of the elevation gain was behind me.

I finally reached the junction, a sharp right turn. This is where I started to see white stuff on the ground. There were small sections of hard snowpack/ice. The late afternoon sun and views made for a spectacular traverse toward Dog Mountain.

Eventually, I emerged out of the trees and had a pretty clear line of site of the trail. I could even see people on the Dog Mountain ascent. I breathed a sigh of relief: the uncertainty in the back of my mind could finally take a rest. I knew once I made it to the top, it was all down hill (ba dum clank).

 

I passed an older guy on his way down and said "Afternoon" but got no response or even acknowledgement. Weird.

At the top, there was a guy talking on a cell phone. I didn't mind and gave him some space. Every other time I'd been up here, there was feet of snow. It was awesome to actually see the views to the west. I took a couple of photos and wandered back down the trail a bit and sat down for a min.

The descent was amazing. The sun was on its way down below the horizon, casting gorgeous hues, washing the Gorge with amber light.

I concentrated on proper form going down to preserve my knees and made sure to enjoy the surroundings. 

At the lower viewpoint, the sun was kissing the horizon on the Oregon side. I waited for it slide behind the mountains (but didn't; close enough).

I crossed paths with a hiker pretty low down, wearing shorts. t was 4pm and there was likely less than 30 min of light. I  thought about the guy on his phone at the top. I hoped they had flashlights.

When I reached the parking there were only two other cars: one parked next to me with Florida plates (belonging to the gut at the top cuz' I remember seeing it when I left), and another car of some kind (belonging to the late hiker.) 

Prologue: I changed into my regular shoes and a dry shirt and sped off westbound on Hwy 14. By the time I reached Stevenson, it was getting pretty dark. The sunset was ah-mazing. Great day on the trail. I won't hit my goals by a long shot but that's okay.