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.