2026 Hikes

I've enjoyed documenting my hikes over the years so much, that I'm continuing this practice in 2026.  No big hiking challenge, just creating a list of good memories.

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Hike No. 1 - 1/1/26 - Angel's Rest, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon.  I was bound and determined to get in a New Year's Day hike, even if the weather wasn't being cooperative.  So I headed out to one of the few Gorge trails that wasn't damaged by the recent rain and windstorms, Angel's Rest.  It's been a few years since I've hiked this trail and because it's kind of short, had big plans to continue exploring some trails once I got to the top.  However, the weather had other plans.  The wind was gusting in the parking lot and didn't let up in the least as I climbed the trail.  Add to the wind just enough intermittent rain to get me wet, and it created quite miserable conditions.  By the time I finally got to the top of Angel's Rest, the wind was blowing so strongly, I didn't feel safe.  So I tagged the summit and headed straight back down!  Oh well, at least I got outside.  4.5 miles, 1700 feet elevation gain.

Hike No. 2 - 1/3/26 - Herman Bridge Trail to PCT to Dry Creek Falls and back.  Taking advantage of a dry day, I rallied my hubby and friends John and Young to do a hike in the gorge.  It had been awhile since I'd hiked to Dry Creek Falls from the east and I'd forgotten what a beautiful trail it is.  The woods were full of green ferns and moss carpeted much of the forest floor.  Nice to catch up with my friends and see a couple of pretty waterfalls in the process.  9.4 miles, 2100 feet elevation gain.

Hike No. 3 - 1/19/26 - Hardy Ridge Trail to junction and Hardy Bridge Trail, Columbia River Gorge, Washington.  A sunny, dry day was perfect for hiking so I rallied hubby and friends Young and John for a trek up Hardy Ridge.  However, I neglected to check the weather and howling winds greeted us at the trailhead.  The wind was so fierce and cold, my hands froze for the first mile and a half.  We bundled up and after a bit of climbing everyone was warm enough.  However, due to the high winds, we decided not to venture up on Hardy Ridge, and instead wandered through the forest below.  There was lots of trail damage from the December storm that had recently been repaired, but we discovered a large tree that had fallen on the Hardy Creek bridge.  It made for some fun photo ops!  Despite the wind and cold it was still a good time.  8.8 miles, 2700 feet elevation gain.

Hike No. 4 - 1/25/26 - Labyrinth trail, Columbia River Gorge, Washington.  It was another sunny, but cold day and I rallied Young and John for a gorge hike.  This time we traveled to the eastern gorge to visit the Labyrinth trail - an old favorite.  This area burned in a wildfire last July and we were all interested to see how the area fared.  There were lots of burned trees and underbrush, but the ground was a vibrant color of green - probably due to the mild winter we've been having thus far.  Another sign of our wimpy winter weather - grass widow flowers were blooming already.  We spotted several blooms.  This is way too early!  Besides the charred trees, we ran into lots of muddy patches on the trail.  The mud was thick and slippery.  I didn't help that John and Young forgot their trekking poles!  But we survived and completed another lovely hike on a beautiful winter's day.  7 miles, 2000 feet elevation gain.

Hike No. 5 - 2/6/26 - Various trails around Stub Stewart State Park, Oregon coast range.  Our warm, dry "winter" continues!  Skiing isn't great but the weather for hiking surely has been.  I took advantage of another sunny day with a short trek through my nearby state park.  Just wanting to get a hike in, I wandered around my normal route, always on the lookout for birds, especially pygmy owls.  No feathered friends spotted today except for a lone hawk.  But I covered 4.75 miles and 800 feet of elevation gain, and got my exercise in for the day.

Hike No. 6 - 3/15/26 - Memaloose Hills and Rowena Plateau, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon.  Yes, it's been a hot minute since I last took a hike.  But finally the weather cooperated and I drug hubby out to the Gorge to check out the wildflower bloom.  Rumor had it the grass widows were going gangbusters near Mosier.  And sure enough it was true!  I usually hike these areas later when the balsamroot is blooming, but the prolific grass widows were nice too.  Between the two hikes, we stopped for lunch at the Mosier taco truck - so good!  Great to finally get out and hike once again.  5.6 miles, 1100 feet elevation gain.

Hike No. 7 - 3/29/26 - Labyrinth Trail to Little Maui Trail, Columbia River Gorge, Washington.  The spring wildflower bloom continues.....this time it took me back to the Catherine Creek/Coyote Wall area of the Washington side of the Gorge.  This area was burned extensively in a wildfire last July and I was pleased to see that it was recovering nicely.  My friend Young joined me for this latest excursion and we oohed and ahhed over the large number of wildflowers in bloom.  The Labyrinth trail was quite colorful and when we reached Atwood Rd chose to head west and catch both the Old Ranch Road to the Little Maui trail.  Sweeping river views framed by white blossoms were enjoyed.  We saw wildflowers of all colors, and a bonus small waterfall.  Although the weather was chilly and windy, the sun broke out for our final half mile.  6 miles, 1400 feet elevation gain.  I just love spring in the Gorge!

Hike No. 8 - 4/3/26 - Hoyt Arboretum, Wildwood and Magnolia Trails, Portland, Oregon.  Although this could probably be classified as a "walk through an urban park" the Hoyt Arboretum, in the heart of Portland is very much a wild place.  Trails crisscross through, connecting this area to much larger Forest Park, which is definitely wilderness in the heart of the city.  I talked my buddy Kim into checking out the magnolia tree blooms and we enjoyed the colorful flowers on several big trees.  We ended up taking the Wildwood trail all the way to the Japanese Garden and back, so I'm going to include this in my yearly hike tally because it was at least 3.5 miles and I'm guessing 500 feet or so elevation gain.

Hike No. 9 - 4/4/26 - Hamilton Mountain, Columbia River Gorge, Washington.  Wanting to get some miles and elevation in to prepare myself for hiking season, I decided to challenge myself with this Gorge quad-buster.  My friend Catherine, who I'd coincidentally hiked with last time I tackled this trail, was game to join me for more.  A late December landslide closed the trail very close to the trailhead, forcing us to access the trail from a nearby campground, which added a bit of mileage to the day.  Otherwise, it was the same uphill trudge.  Large patches of cheery yellow blooms kept us in good spirits.  The summit was too windy for a proper lunch, so we retreated to a nearby clump of trees.  Otherwise it was a lovely, sunny spring day - albeit the pollen blowing everywhere, activating my allergies.  9.4 miles, 2450 feet elevation gain.

Hike No. 10 - 4/7/26 - Crawford Oaks Loop, The Dalles Mtn Ranch, Columbia River Gorge, Washington.  It's that time of year again - time for my annual flower hike at the Dalles Mtn Ranch!  I reunited with friends Debbie and Barry on a beautiful spring day for a romp through the balsamroot blooms.  The balsamroot were going strong, with the lupine just beginning.  It was very windy in places (like it usually is out there!) but we soldiered on and were rewarded with great views for our efforts.  Lots of birds were spotted - especially the Lewis woodpeckers, our favorite!  (I told my friends it was because I'd left my zoom lens at home)  So wonderful to see wildflowers blooming again.  7.1 miles, 1300 feet elevation gain.