Hike: Coyote Wall, Bingen, WA

Getting There

Another later start. I kind of had a plan to stay in the Gorge but wasn't sure. My initial plan was to hike Dog Mountain, however, after I crossed the bridge in Hood River, my mind immediately went to the work party at Lyle-Cherry Orchard. 

I was driving east on Hwy 14 and passed the Coyote Wall trailhead. I'd seen this place on Instagram posts (or maybe Portland Hikers on FB). New plan. I did a u-turn and drove back to the parking lot. It was about 75% full but no one was around. I looked for a trail near the parking lot but didn't see anything. 

I geared up, stowed what I could under the backseat and set out on the frontage road.

The Hike

Length: 7.28 mi
Elev. gain: 1,644 ft
Moving time: 2:44:00
Avg pace: 22:32
Calories: 1,445
Total time: 3:23:39

The paved frontage road had rocks and boulders from the rocks above. I knew there must be a trail around here somewhere! Eureka! I found it. I'd stopped that signage at the trailhead and knew there was a network of trails to choose from. 

As I started my ascent, I noticed some hikers coming from the west. I figured they'd done some kind of loop so I went right and started what I guessed was a counterclockwise loop. The trail was pretty muddy and I saw tire tracks immediately. A few hundred yards above me, I noticed some hikers, so I knew I was on the right path: I didn't want to stray too far east.

From down below, it was difficult to see the "top", if there was one. Upward and onward.

From the USFS website for this area:

"A massive formation of columnar basalt, Coyote Wall is one of the Columbia River Gorge's most recognizable features from all directions. Known around the Gorge as "The Syncline", local amateur geologists enjoy debating its proper geological classification over a craft brew.

From Coyote Wall Trailhead, bikers, hikers, and riders can access a 30+ mile network trails with an open feel and breath-taking views. Trails include:

• Bitterroot Trail #4422 (Ca2)
• Coyote Wall Trail #4428 (Co1)
• Labyrinth Trail #4423 (Co7)
• Little Maui Trail #4425 (Co5)
• Little Moab Trail #4424 (Co3)
• Old Ranch Road Trail #4426 (Co4)
• Raptor Trail 4424 (Ca1)
• Upper Labyrinth Trail #4424 (Co8)

Mountain bikers love the range of mountain biking challenges which reward those who climb the trails with amazing panoramas of the Gorge! Naturalists can appreciate the diverse population of rare and sensitive plants found here. The thin, fragile soils were created by Missoula floods, and the habitat remains important for wildlife species.

Please avoid the area directly below Coyote Wall to the west, as it is private land. Trails in the area have been gradually rehabilitated in recent years according to a long-term site management plan, so user-created trails that once damaged natural resources are being decomissioned. New signs make it easy to stay on official trails, but use maps with caution as most are now out of date. (This planning map shows temporary names used during the planning process to label approved trails.) Today's signs do not match the shorthand codes, but they do make it easy to stay on official trails. Please respect signs indicating decommissioned trails and sensitive areas under restoration."

When I reached the highest point of the loop, I noticed some hikers above me. I thought I could get a bit more elevation and maybe better views. As I continued further, the trail gets close the edge of the Coyote Wall cliff. I saw on the trail map that there is a loop. Unfortunately, part of it on private land. I wasn't sure if this just a technicality and the public could pass through.

I kept pace with the couple of hikers I'd seen earlier. Eventually, the trail disappears into the trees. I was surprised when I saw them coming in the other direction. I was hoping to follow them on the loop.

When I reached Atwood Road, I realized the sun was getting lower and if I continued, I'd probably be descending below the wall in darkness. I decided it was better to go back the way I came, enjoy the views and sunshine. Wise choice.

At some point, I caught up with those hikers. I didn't want to crowd them so I picked an alternate route down. About 30 mins later, I caught up again when the two trails converged. I stopped to take some pictures and let them gain some distance.

I descended along the Coyote Wall Trail #4428 (Co1), zigzagging through the rocky switchbacks. Several folks were coming up the trail.

I was happy to reach that frontage road again. I still had plenty of sunlight. Great to hike somewhere new.

Post Hike

I knew I was gonna stay the night in Hood River so I headed east on Hwy 14 to cross the river near The Dalles. I'd gone this route when I left the Lyle-Cherry Orchard work party. The town of Lyle was further east that I'd remembered. There was huge Trump 2024 billboard. Ugh! Fuck that guy and his crony oligarchs.

Anywho. I continued on my way. Oddly, I didn't even notice the Lyle-Cherry Orchard trailhead. I think when I went this direction last time, I'd taken the road towards the dam but turned around and went further east past Maryhill and crossed over the Hwy 97. This time I kept going south on Hwy 197. When I reached Dallesport Road, I stopped dead in my tracks: the setting sun was behind Mt Hood.

I drove a ways west to try to find a better location to take a picture with the foreground. By the time I got there, the sun had moved but it was still beautiful.

 

Hike: Devil's Rest via Wahkeena Creek, Corbett, OR

Getting There

The weather was amazing, the temp were in the upper 50s and blue skies for miles. Recently, it's been pretty rainy so I jumped at the chance to get outdoors.

I took I-84 east and parked in the Multnomah Falls parking lot between the eastbound and westbound lanes. Plus, real or imagined, I'm guessing this parking lot is "safer" due to high turnover and cameras.

The lot was about 1/2 way full, plenty of open spots.

The Hike

Length: 9.84 mi
Elev. gain: 2,582 ft
Moving time: 4:36:41
Avg pace: 28:07
Calories: 2,438
Total time: 4:58:42

It was so good to get out on a hike, my first of 2025. As I mentioned in my previous post, I hadn't really done much hiking since Oct, when I was in Bend, OR. I did a hike up Eagle Creek at the beginning of November, then I got sick at the beginning of December, which lasted the whole month. I did a hike up Hamilton Mtn on New Year's Eve.

I parked at Multnomah Falls and hiked the Return Trail to Wahkeena Falls. It's a good thing, since the parking was full, that I opted for ample parking. At this point, I didn't know if I was going to do the Wahkeena-Multnomah loop or something else. I was sort of keen on reaching Devil's Rest but that depended on how I felt.

Just around the corner from Wahkeena Falls, there was a rock slide over the paved trail but it was easy enough to step through on the edge.

On the switchbacks, I passed a group of three college kids, one wearing Chuck Taylors. While waiting for them to pass by, I noticed an old trail marker for the Perdition Trail. I've never heard of this trail but it was obviously defunct, or at least unmaintained by TKO or parks.

Rock slide at the start of the switchbacks

Sign for defunct trail

First bridge crossing over Wahkeena Creek

There was a sprinkling of hikers doing the clockwise loop. At Fairy Falls, I met a woman that was hesitant to cross through the creek. The crossing needs some repairs. She said she was going to watch how I crossed. I did and stopped on the other side to make sure she made it through safely. When she reached where I was, I gave her a fist bump and celebrated her success. I wished her well on the rest of her hike.

I keep pushing steadily to the apex of the trail. I paused briefly to consider my options. I felt good and had lots of energy in reserve. Fuck it. I'm heading to Devil's Rest. A few feet up the trail, a kid passed me but stopped to ask about the views and trail options. I said Devil's Rest was in the trees but that Angel's Rest overlooks the river. He didn't have any gear, water, maps, phone?, just a beanie. Who am I to say? 

When the Devil's Rest trail leveled out, the sun was out and it was nice & warm. Gorgeous colors.

Sunshine on the Devil's Rest Trail

Loving the colors

More gorgeous colors

I passed a few more people on the trail. One pair said I was almost there (true) and another guy with 3 small dogs told me about the trail options. I said thanks and wished them all well.

At the top, I paused briefly to snap a couple of photos but didn't stay long. I thought I might eat lunch but wanted to start the trip back since I was losing light. The whole Oregon side of the river was in shade due to low winter sun.

Last time I was there, I descended down the front of hillside but ended up on the Devil's Slide, a very steep route. I still wanted to check out the Vista Point viewpoint and taking this route would have put be below it. I made my way around the rocks and found the Primrose Path, which reconnects with the Devil's Rest Trail and is the safer way to descend down the front.

Devil's Rest Summit

Devil's Rest Summit

Mt Adams

Mt St Helens

Finally made it to the Vista Viewpoint. I'd stopped several times to clear some small trees over the trail and cut off jagged remains of the branches that were hazards when climbing over larger logs.

The sun was going down and it was getting dark quickly. I had two flashlights but I could still see well enough without. I knew it'd get darker when I go lower into the canopy.

East: Columbia River, Archer Mtn, Beacon Rock/Hamilton

West: Columbia River, Cape Horn

Thanks to the long exposure on the iPhone 15 Pro, this photo came out really well despite the low light.

Wahkeena Falls

My hike back to the parking lot on the Return Trail was almost too dark to see the ground and tripping hazards but I still didn't want to stop to find my flashlight. I made it without incident. There were quite a few cars still in the parking lot. 

Great hike to start the new year.