Blown Away on Hamilton Mtn

In between Gorge waterfall tours, I managed to squeeze in a hike up Hamilton Mountain.  My friend Young and I both had Veteran's Day off work and were hankering to take advantage of the sunny, dry fall weather.

Fall colors in the creek

Hamilton Mountain is located on the Washington side of the Gorge, adjacent to Beacon Rock.  It's scenic 8 mile loop trail is a good workout.  But ever since Washington State Parks Dept began charging $10 a day to park at the trailhead, I've passed up coming here.

Rodney Falls overlook

But Young, who lives in Washington, had an annual parking pass.  Even so, neither of us had hiked Hamilton in awhile.  And we both wanted to go there.  So Hamilton Mtn it was!

Large yellow maple leaf

When I met up with Young that morning, the wind was gusting mightily.  As we drove east through the Gorge towards our destination, it didn't let up.  In fact, I think it got stronger.  Hmmm....this didn't bode well.  Our trail climbed up to the top of a very exposed ridge.  A ridge that was breezy on a calm day.  What would it be like today?

Approaching the bottom of Rodney Falls

Buy Young and I aren't ones to bag out on a hike just 'cause it's a little windy.  We shouldered our packs and headed for our first destination - Rodney Falls.

The "Bowl of Winds"

A mere mile from the trailhead brings you to this amazing stair-stepped cascade.  The upper portion of Rodney Falls is trapped inside a rock-walled bowl.  A railed overlook allows visitors to peep inside this "bowl of winds."  Churning water creates its own breeze as it roars through the rocky chute.

Footbridge across the falls

Then the water stream drops 50 feet and spreads out across a tiered basalt shelf.  The trail crosses at the bottom via a sturdy log footbridge, giving hikers an up close look at this massive cascade.

Lots of yellow still in the forest

Beyond Rodney Falls, the path climbs out of a canyon and leads hikers through a delightful forest.  Young and I were happy to discover a few splashes of fall color, still hanging on.

And some sunny orange leaves

Some pretty orange vine maple leaves caught the attention of our cameras.

No easy way up

And this trail sign with its "difficult" and "more difficult" choices, always makes me chuckle.

Cliffs below Hamilton Mtn summit

Soon Young and I were climbing up Hamilton mountain's steep switchbacks.  From Rodney Falls, the trail gains nearly 1500 feet in elevation in a mere two miles.  Even with a chilly wind blowing, my friend and I stayed plenty warm.

Gorge panorama (click to enlarge)

But - oh - the views!  In many places the trail opens up to offer panoramic glimpses of the Columbia River below.  In one place the vistas are framed by tall basalt cliffs.  Click on the photo above to view it in a larger scale.  You won't be sorry you did.

Supersized slug

Reaching Hamilton mountain's summit, the wind was so strong and cold, Young and I didn't hang around.  We immediately retreated to a protected bushy area below and had a quick lunch.

Frilly fungi

From Hamilton's summit, the trail meanders through a thick forest, before finally coming out on the high, exposed ridge.  Young and I took our time wandering through the woods, not really looking forward to the wind blast that we knew was coming.  On our way, we discovered a bunch of really unique mushrooms, and an enormous slug.

Young getting blown away

But you can only kill time in the woods for so long, and eventually my friend and I came upon the clearing.  Donning an extra layer, we bravely stepped out into the wind tunnel along the ridgeline.

Following the ridgeline

Other hikers had warned us the wind was strong here.  And they weren't kidding!  The gusts caught our bodies, flapping loose clothing, and threatening to push us over.  Our hands and faces began to chill.  But the views from on top of the ridge was so incredible, Young and I had to stop for a few photo ops.  We just held onto our cameras very tight.

Trailsign fun

Then, staggering against the gales, we gingerly made our way across the ridgeline.  There were a couple gusts I though for sure would blow us over (especially Young - she's much smaller than I).  But we managed to make it all the way across without turning into human kites.  When we finally reached a more sheltered area, my friend and I staged a couple of victory self-portraits atop a beefed-up trail sign.

More trailsign fun

From the ridge, hikers have two choices - follow a winding abandoned old road, or take Don's Cutoff Trail, a delightful ramble through a wonderfully scenic forest.  You can probably guess which route we chose.  But before leaving, Young had a little fun with the trail sign.

Happiness is.....a restroom on the trail!

Don's Cutoff eventually connected back to the old abandoned road.  And.....I was delighted to discover the state parks people had installed a deluxe porta potty here.  What luxury!  No hiding in the bushes for us!  It was even fully stocked with hand sanitizer and toilet paper.

Lovely Hardy Creek

After our "little break" Young and I followed the road until we came upon a crossing of Hardy Creek.  A pretty little streamlet, lined with alder trees and yellow underbrush, it made a for some nice Kodak moments.

Explosion of yellow

Finally, a connector trail led us back towards Rodney Falls.  In past I'd remembered a boring trek through viewless woods.  Imagine my surprise when Young and I encountered a massive display of brilliant yellow leaves brightening up the understory.  It was a golden explosion in the forest.  This late in the year, I certainly didn't expect to see so much fall color.  But there it was, ready for our cameras.

Heading back home

Sooo......our return was sort of delayed by another photo session.  But I think it was totally worth it.  This was probably the last of the fall colors, and I wanted to be sure and capture it.  Finally, packing up our cameras we rejoined the main trail, and wound back down to Rodney Falls.

Evening shadows in the forest

Passing by the falls, and heading back towards the parking lot, our friend the wind decided it wasn't done with us yet.  It blasted at our backs all the rest of way, whipping our hair and clothing, and threatening to steal our hats.  Ugh!  We were quite done with the wind by the time Young and I arrived at her truck.  Although cold and tired, we both agreed it had been a successful hike. 

Our reward - cheers!

Of course there's only one way to end a perfect day of hiking - enjoying a cold beer.  Young thinks of everything.  She packed a cooler full of microbrews and a huge bag of kettle chips.  And boy did they hit the spot!

Despite the strong winds that plagued us most of the time, it was great to get outside and explore Hamilton Mountain once again.  I can't think of a better way to spend a day off.


Sharing with: Weekly Top Shot.

Lovely Elowah Falls

Fall Gorge Waterfall Tour 2013 continues!

Trailsign amidst fall splendor

After a successful expedition on the first Friday of November, that following Sunday I packed up my camera and my dog for trip number two.  Today's destination - Elowah and Upper McCord Creek Falls.

Bear looking up from a sharp switchback

Poor Bear.  He's getting on in years (almost 12 now) so lately I've been leaving him home for most of my hikes.  But this trail was fairly short, with minimal elevation gain, so I figured he could handle it.  It was good to have him bounding along beside me again.  I've missed my four-legged hiking buddy.

My first glimpse of Elowah Falls

Elowah Falls is one of my very favorite Gorge waterfalls.  Although the trail to reach it is short (a mere 0.8 miles) not many people venture out to see it's lovely white curtain.  That's quite okay with me - I'd prefer to have this beauty all to myself.

Elowah Falls and bridge

Bear and I climbed up a short distance, and then followed the trail's sharp switchbacks down, down, down until we were almost level with the creek below our destination.

Lots of lime green lichen on the rocks

And then through the mossy trees, I spied my subject - the slim white stream of Elowah's lacy cascade.  As I ventured closer, the trail opened up to reveal a huge rocky amphitheater lined in green.  In the very center was it's star attraction.

Looking downstream

Oh Elowah!  How beautiful you are!  From your tall, wispy body to the breathtaking canyon in which you call home.  And the lovely creek with it's mossy rocks below.  A hidden paradise less than a mile from the road.

Another downstream shot

Elowah is a tall cascade - measuring an impressive 289 feet.  When I'm up close, it's hard to fit the entire length in my camera lens.  So I began looking for someplace just downstream that I could perch with my tripod to capture it's full body.

Such a pretty creek!

I found a large mossy boulder in the middle of the creek that looked accessible.  Gingerly, I inched across a crumbly side trail, and then over a few other questionable rocks, until I was able to clamber onto the boulder's wet slimy surface. I balanced up my tripod within the limited area and got to work.

Looking downstream from splash pool

Photographing waterfalls at close range is challenging.  The larger the falls, the more spray and wind you have to contend with.  I was constantly wiping droplets from my camera lens, and waiting for a break in the breeze to fire the shutter.  But it's always worth it.  I got a few photos to be proud of.

Cliffside trail to Upper McCord Creek Falls

After capturing enough images of Elowah to satisfy my desires, Bear and I headed back up the switchback-y trail.  A half mile later, we reached a junction.  Not yet done with today's waterfall expedition, I took the uphill path to check out Upper McCord Creek Falls.

Bear's not so sure about this!

It had been a few years since I'd visited this trail.  So long that I'd almost forgotten what an amazing hike it is.  Bear and I climbed until we reached a steep rock cliff.  Here the trail consisted of a narrow ledge that had been blasted into the side.  A metal handrail provided slim protection from the drop-off below.  Bear wasn't so sure about walking by!

Panoramic Gorge view

But - oh the views!  I could see eastward down the Columbia River and the Washington side of the Gorge.

Top of Elowah Falls

And glimpsed the very top of Elowah Falls.

Upper McCord Creek Falls

Finally, leaving the cliff area, a short ramble brought Bear and I to a killer view of Upper McCord Creek Falls.

Lacy white curtains

The 60-foot tall twin fans of Upper McCord Creek Falls are especially scenic.  So is the mossy green canyon it resides in.  The only place to view the entire thing was atop a precarious slope.  I perched my tripod and my body atop a steep, bushy sidehill and did my best to capture this lovely double cascade.

Heading back across the cliff face

After getting a few decent images of waterfall number two, I packed my gear and headed back to the car.  Passing the cliffside trail section for a second time was no less dramatic, and I had to get just a few more shots of the wonderful view below.

Old rusted water pipe across the trail

A large rusting water pipe emerges from the ground at one point along the trail.  In my haste to reach the falls, I neglected to get a photo on the way up. 

This pipe has seen better days

During the return trip, I made sure to get a few shots of this interesting object.  Not something you usually see in the middle of a trail!

Mossy wooden water tank at trailhead

Near the trailhead parking area is a large wooden water tank.  I'm not sure what it's used for (or if it's still used at all) but I'm assuming it connects to the rusting pipe I discovered higher up the trail.  If nothing else, this mossy tank makes a great photo subject.  Even though rain had begun to fall, I stopped and set up my camera for one last photo shoot.

It's springing a leak!

It was still early, and I'd planned to visit neighboring Wahclella Falls that same afternoon.  But the rain began falling fast and furious, and by the time I'd finished photographing the wooden tank, both me and my dog were soaking wet.  Bear jumped into the back of my car before I could even dry him off, and refused to get back out.  It was his way of saying "let's go home."

Although rain forced an early retreat, I packed a lot of scenery into a short three mile trek.  And it was great to pay a visit to my favorite Gorge cascade - the lovely Elowah Falls.

But wait, there's more!  Part three of my grand waterfall tour will be coming your way soon.  Don't miss it!


Sharing my dog's photo with Saturday's Critters and also joining Sweet Shot Tuesday.

The Oneonta Trail

Welcome to the 2013 Fall Gorge Waterfall Tour! 

Horsetail Falls splash pool

Yes, although temps are beginning to drop, and the leaves are long gone, I'm still playing catch up from November.  In the beginning of this month, I began my annual Gorge waterfall pilgrimage. 

Fall colors frame Horsetail Falls

The Columbia River Gorge is one of my favorite places to hike. Although it's wonderful in all seasons, fall is by far the best time to visit. The colorful leaves, the rushing waterfalls, and still enough green from the ferns and mosses to provide nice accents. To capture all this incredible beauty, I have a tradition of planning autumn hikes on some of the most scenic Gorge trails.

Beautiful rock wall and plaza

First up on the agenda - the Oneonta Trail.  This relatively short loop gives one the most waterfall bang for your buck.  In a mere 2.5 miles you pass four - count 'em - four lovely cascades.

And lovely leaf-covered stairs

The first grand waterfall is located right off the road.  At 176 feet in height, Horsetail Falls displays its frothy grandeur in full view of the Historic Columbia River Highway.  A paved plaza, with picnic table, impressive mossy maple trees, and a grand stone staircase leading to the splash pool, make this a popular stop for tourists.  But most folks never venture beyond the viewing area.  The Oneonta Trail begins here, the pathway to even more wonderful splashy scenes.

On the trail

From Horsetail Falls the trail switchbacks up the Gorge's steep cliffs.  A short distance later, one arrives at a mossy basalt amphitheatre, home of 80-foot high Ponytail Falls.

Ponytail falls

Ponytail Falls is one of those waterfalls that you can walk behind.  The rock wall around this cascade eroded to form a tunnel-like cave.  A trail leads hikers through this cavern, providing a front-row view of the fall's watery fan.  This is one waterfall vantage that folks don't normally get to see.

The view from behind Ponytail falls

Is there anything cooler than hiking behind a waterfall?

Splash pool below the falls

From Ponytail Falls, the trail climbs a little further and tops out at a clifftop viewpoint.  The entire eastern Gorge and Columbia River is spread out before your eyes.  On a clear day, a fabulous view.

Gorge viewpoint

From this viewpoint, the trail winds down steeply to Oneonta Gorge.  This narrow slot-like canyon is so deep it appears bottomless.  A metal footbridge spans this dizzying chasm.  Above the bridge, Oneonta Falls, all 60 feet of its frothing waters, churns down the steep drop-off.

Lovely bright yellow leaves

Sadly the bright sunlight of high noon made too much contrast, and all my Oneonta Falls and Gorge photos didn't turn out.  So you'll just have to trust me that it was spectacular.

Trail junction

After climbing down to Oneonta Falls, the trail then winds steeply back up to the next junction.  Beyond this junction is the final, best waterfall of them all - Triple Falls.

Creek view above Triple Falls

A mile later, I neared the overlook for Triple Falls.  But upon arriving, I discovered a large group of young kids with their adult leaders taking up most of the overlook's limited space.  Not wanting to try and take photos while dodging a bunch of people, I decided to explore the creek farther upriver and wait for them to leave.

Sturdy log bridge spans the creek above Triple Falls

The creek above Triple Falls is truly beautiful.  Although much of the fall colors were past their prime, the fallen leaves and mossy rocks made up for the lack of foliage.  A well-built log footbridge spans the creek, leading hikers to Multnomah Falls and Larch Mountain.  But the other side of the bridge was as far as I'd planned to go today.  Finding a flat rock, I took a quick lunch break amidst the ferns and moss-draped trees.

Triple Falls

Between photographing the creek and eating lunch, I burned at least a half hour.  Thinking the group must have departed by now, I shouldered my backpack and headed back to the Triple Falls viewpoint.  But as the overlook drew near, I saw that the kids were still there.

Triple Falls - up close and personal

Oh well - I wanted to get some photographs, and kids or no kids, that's exactly what I planned to do.  The man in charge gave me a hearty "hello" and invited me over.  He told the kids to give me some space.  So I set up my tripod and got to work.

Triple Falls is made up of three identical 120-foot water plumes.  The three cascades make the most amazing waterfall and it's one of my Gorge favorites.  The falls are located in a deep canyon.  The overlook is on the opposite side of this canyon.  It's a small area perched on the side of a very steep cliff.  I was a little nervous about all the kids walking around with such a drop off nearby, but the man and his two assistants seemed to have their group under control. 

More fall colors

The man had a backpacking stove out, and was boiling water for hot chocolate.  He kept the kids busy finding small twigs for fuel.  He offered me some cocoa, but having just drank a thermos of  hot tea, I declined.

After a few good shots of Triple Falls, I packed up and bid the man and his kids goodbye.  Then I headed back down the Oneonta Trail.  

Oneonta Tunnel on old Historic Hwy

Usually when I hike this area, I retrace my steps back to the parking lot.  But coming back to the trail junction, I decided to make this journey into a loop, and followed the Oneonta Trail in the opposite direction.  I followed a ridge, with a few nice peek-a-boo views of the Gorge, until finally switchbacking down to the Historic Highway.

A  half mile trek down the highway's shoulder brought me back to Horsetail Falls and my car.  But not before I passed through the old Oneonta Tunnel, now restored for a hiker/biker trail.  Even the old stone fences from the original highway had been preserved, and their moss-covered posts made great photo subjects.

Moss covered stone fence

A great day to be out in the Gorge!  Although I only covered a measly 4.5 miles, I saw four great waterfalls, some majestic river views, and some late fall colors still hanging on.

Stay tuned for more from my Fall Gorge Waterfall Tour - part two is next!


Sharing with:  Sweet Shot Tuesday and Weekly Top Shot.