Day 20 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast!
Mid-morning, Hwy 35, 40+ miles S of Hood River –
There’s a campground sign, SPHP!
Sherwood! Good eye, Loop! Should be a L turn coming up pretty soon.
The turn onto USFS Road No. 44 came 1.5 miles S of the campground. No. 44 was a good road, paved even, as it climbed steeply NNE. The road snaked around some before the rate of ascent began to abate. After 3.5 miles, No. 44 topped out on a broad ridge. The RAV4 was heading SE when a side road appeared on the R.
No. 4410, that’s what we want, Looper!
Start of USFS Road No. 4410 where it leaves No. 44. Photo looks SSW.
USFS Road No. 4410 was decent, too. Not paved, but good, firm gravel. Climbing all the way, but not as steeply as No. 44 had, No. 4410 headed S. A few potholes and some washboardy sections, but any vehicle could do this. Most of the route was forested, but after 4.5 miles, No. 4410 came to a line of boulders in front of a field.
Hmm. This might be it, Loop. Maybe we ought to look for a trail?
Unmarked, a lesser road ran E/W in front of the boulders. Turning E (L), SPHP drove 200 feet to the edge of the trees, discovering a small parking area big enough for 2 or 3 vehicles on the L. SPHP parked the RAV4, and Lupe returned to the field.
Parked at a pullout along USFS Road No. 4420. Photo looks N.The field at the S end of USFS Road No. 4410. Photo looks SE.
No signs. No trail heading across the field.
Huh. Lookout Mountain(6,525 ft.) is less than a mile SE, Loopster. Easy terrain! Guess we can try just heading SE into the forest, if we want to, but let’s walk farther E along the road first. I think there’s supposed to be an actual High Prairie trailhead somewhere around here.
600 feet E of the RAV4, there was a trailhead! Vacant at the moment, but parking for a good dozen vehicles. Posted information included a trail map. There was even an outhouse.
High Prairie trailhead display.Posted map.
10:02 AM, High Prairie trailhead – On the S side of the road (USFS Road No. 4420), directly across from the trailhead, High Prairie Trail No. 493 took off bound for Lookout Mountain as a wide, smooth, apparently well-traveled path.
Start of High Prairie Trail No. 493. Photo looks SSW.
Lupe had barely gotten started, when the trail divided. The wide path went straight ahead, crossing a meadow. A less-frequented single track trail angled off toward the forest to the SW. Sticking with the wide path, Lupe followed it S a little way before it began trending SE.
At the nearly instantaneous divide. Photo looks SSW.Signage at the fork.
The E half of the Trail No. 493 loop sometimes went through forest, but Lupe enjoyed long stretches of meadow, too. Even SPHP was making great progress, since the trail gained elevation quite slowly.
In the forest. Photo looks SSW.Crossing a meadow. Photo looks S.
After the last meadow, the rate of ascent increased as High Prairie Trail No. 493 turned SW, re-entering the forest. Lupe eventually emerged at a clearing of sparsely-vegetated red dirt. No. 493 curved sharply E here. SPHP noticed a path continuing SW from this turn, likely connecting to the less-traveled W half of the loop.
At the red dirt curve. Photo looks SW.
Beyond the red dirt curve, Loopster traveled through a long stretch of forest. She got all the way to the E end of the mountain, where a smoky view of a huge expanse of much lower territory was on display in that direction.
Back in the forest. Photo looks E.
High Prairie Trail No. 493 reversed direction again. Still in the forest, Lupe was climbing faster now as she followed the trail SW. She didn’t have all that far to go this time, though, before the trail exited the forest at a saddle where a small hill was immediately to the W. Two weathered wooden signs were attached to a post.
The gist of it all was that Lupe had reached a junction with Trail No. 458, which went either E or W from here.
Approaching the small hill. The junction with Trail No. 458 (L) is just around the next bend. Photo looks W.At the junction with Trail No. 458. Photo looks WSW.Trail No. 458 went either E to Fret Creek Trail No. 456, or W to Gumjuwac Trail No. 480.The other choice, of course, was back to the E half of the High Prairie Trail No. 493 loop, which Lupe had just come up.
By now, Lupe was already very close to the top of Lookout Mountain, which was just E of the saddle. Taking Trail No. 458 E, the Carolina Dog ventured out onto an open slope dotted with gnarled, windswept trees, many of which were dead. The first part of this short climb was the only steepish part of the entire ascent.
Curling up Lookout Mountain’s upper S slope, Trail No. 458 ultimately reached the summit from the E.
Trail No. 458 along Lookout Mountain’s upper S slope. Photo looks ESE.Near the top. Trail No. 458 goes up at far R. Photo looks N.
10:49 AM, 65ºF, Lookout Mountain(6,525 ft.)– Crumbling remnants of an old lookout’s foundation greeted Lupe as she arrived up on a barren plateau. The E end of Lookout Mountain’s summit region was higher and larger than the W end, which narrowed as it slanted down a bit.
Would have been a clear day, if not for the smoke of distant wildfires permeating the air in all directions. Panoramic views to the S and E were badly marred by the haze, but maybe that didn’t matter so much, since all the territory off that way was much lower.
Lookout Mountain summit. Photo looks SSW.Another mountain climbed! Maybe I’ll get a chocolate coconut bar?At the true summit. Photo looks ENE.
Not as smoky to the N or W, but a line of trees obscured the views to the N. Somewhat smokier to the SW, but not too bad. The views were more interesting in that direction, too, because the mountains were higher. Not as high as Lookout Mountain, but higher than the lowlands S and E.
From some rock formations along the S edge of the summit region, Lupe could see Badger Lake tucked down between Badger Butte(5,981 ft.), Gunsight Butte(5,916 ft.), and a few other nearby peaks, but the little lake wasn’t too impressive. Looked like a pond from here.
Badger Butte (L) and Gunsight Butte (R) with Badger Lake between them. Photo looks SW.Same view with help from the telephoto lens. Badger Butte (far L), Badger Lake (L), and Gunsight Butte (R of Center). Photo looks SW.
Yes, yes! But none of that matters, SPHP! What about the real reason for coming to Lookout Mountain?
I was getting to that, Loopster.
Taking your sweet time about it, SPHP!
Sometimes it’s good to save the best for last, Loop.
Well, there’s some real icing on this cake, SPHP! Time for dessert. If this view of Mount Hood(11,239 ft.) isn’t impressive, I don’t know what is!
Ahh, yes! Off to the WNW, only slightly marred by smoke, was a grand view of Oregon’s state high point, the mighty volcano, Mount Hood!
Mount Hood (R) from Lookout Mountain. Photo looks WNW.Magnificent!Mount Hood with help from the telephoto lens.Zoomed in some more. Photo looks WNW.
SPHP congratulated the Carolina Dog on her successful ascent, shaking her paw, and splitting a chocolate coconut bar with her. A chipmunk provided entertainment as it scrambled on rock formations along the S rim of the summit. Lupe scrambled up to a neat vantage point, too.
Dingo on the rocks! Badger Butte (R), Badger Lake (far R). Photo looks S.Mount Hood from a bit down the S slope. Photo looks WNW.
Lupe hadn’t seen anyone on the way to Lookout Mountain, and no one had been here when she arrived at the summit. However, company soon appeared. After that, a steady stream of people and dogs came and went. Nothing major, but Loop never had the summit to herself again.
40 minutes after arriving, with half a dozen people up here, and a long way to go today, SPHP called it good. Lupe left Lookout Mountain, but this wasn’t quite the last she’d see of that dazzling view of Mount Hood.
Heading down trail No. 458. Photo looks WNW.
Might as well do the W end of the High Prairie Trail No. 493 loop! Much of it ran along the W side of Lookout Mountain where SPHP expected Lupe might have a fabulous view of Mount Hood most of the way back.
At the saddle trail junction near the little hill just W of the summit, Lupe stuck with Trail No. 458, continuing W. This gave her the opportunity to climb the little hill, where she could gaze back at Lookout Mountain.
Heading W on Trail No. 458. Photo looks SW.Lookout Mountain (L) from the little hill W of the saddle. Photo looks E.
Traveling along a fairly flat ridge, Trail No. 458 got Lupe out to the W edge of Lookout Mountain. No sign of the expected junction with the W half of the High Prairie Trail No. 493 loop. A path that looked promising as it started N completely faded away, and couldn’t have been it.
No matter, it had been worth coming this way! A small rock formation along the W edge provided a terrific view of Mount Hood.
From here, Trail No. 458 curved S and started steeply downhill, which didn’t seem promising at all given the lay of the land. If SPHP had only checked the topo map, that actually was the way to go. Lupe wasn’t far from the junction with No. 493.
But SPHP didn’t look at the map. After admiring the exquisite view of Mount Hood, the American Dingo retreated back E along Trail No. 458 to the junction with the E half of the High Prairie Trail No. 493 loop, then started down the way she’d come up.
At the red dirt bend, Loopster made another attempt to find the W half of the Trail No. 493 loop. The side trail going SW that SPHP had spotted earlier on led almost immediately right to it.
As expected, the W half of the High Prairie Trail No. 493 loop followed the W edge of the mountain. However, anticipated glorious views of Mount Hood along this route did not materialize. For what seemed like a long way, Lupe trotted NW through dense forest.
Heading down the W half of High Prairie Loop Trail No. 493. Photo looks NW.
The trail went NW so far, and lost so much elevation, that SPHP began to worry that a turn had been missed. However, a sign close to where the trail finally turned NE confirmed that Lupe was still on track. Going NE, the trail was nearly level, and soon left the forest.
Lupe never did make it back to the official High Prairie trailhead. While crossing a sunny clearing, SPHP spotted the RAV4. Abandoning the trail, the Carolina Dog went N right to it. (12:33 PM, 67ºF)
Near the end. Photo looks NE.
Although the fantastic view of Mount Hood had without a doubt been the highlight of Lupe’s visit to Lookout Mountain, it hadn’t really been the only view of importance. All the smoke visible to the S had been a real concern, since the plan was to head that way, climbing more peaks along the spine of the Cascades.
As SPHP drove S, precisely as Lupe had seen from Lookout Mountain, Oregon was full of smoke. By evening, Loopster was W of Bend, way up where she should have had a great view of Mount Bachelor(9,065 ft.). No sign of it. The smoke was terrible!
However, for the first time in days, the wind shifted from out of the SW to NW. Before sunset, a hazy outline of Mount Bachelor did appear.
Mount Bachelor shortly before sunset. Photo looks SW.
I don’t know, Loopster. Going to have to get a lot better than this to make climbing any mountains around here worthwhile. We’ll just have to see how things look in the morning.
If the smoke is still this bad, what will we do, SPHP?
Guess, we’ll just have to continue this Dingo Vacation’s never-ending quest for blue skies. Might have to head for the coast!
A stroll along the famous Oregon coast? That actually sounds wonderful, SPHP!
Yes, it does, Loop. But we’ll get to the coast eventually in any case, and it would be a real shame to miss out on this next mountain.
Maybe so, but despite the smoke, Lupe hadn’t missed out today. Not when she’d gotten to enjoy that splendid view of Mount Hood from Lookout Mountain!
Mount Hood from Lookout Mountain, Cascade Range, Oregon 8-25-21
Yup, but I didn’t realize there was so much development going on around here, Loop. Apparently this is all private property. Peak5452 is out. So is Lexington Hill. No access, at least from this direction.
So, what are we going to do, SPHP?
No worries! We’ve got other Lists of John peaks to try not too far away.
Peak5266 was next on Lupe’s list of possibilities. Driving back down Peedee Gulch, SPHP turned W on Hwy 14A. At the lowest point near Whitewood Creek E of Deadwood and the junction with Hwy 85, a L (S) turn led immediately to a large dirt parking area. A “for sale” sign was advertising a lot including quite a few acres. Exactly what was for sale wasn’t clear, but a road with a single set of tracks in the snow went through an open white gate.
Hah! Maybe we can buy Peak 5266, Loop? Let’s have a look!
At the big parking lot.Setting off for Peak 5266. Photo looks S.
9:56 AM, 41ºF – Mountain shopping was an entirely new idea! Owning a piece of the Black Hills – Lupe liked the sound of that! Going through the white gate, she set off to inspect the property.
The snowy road immediately began curving SW, and quickly led to a junction with a muddy road. Following it S, Peak5266 was already in sight only 0.75 mile ahead.
Peak 5266 (R) from the muddy road. Photo looks SSE.
Avoiding the muck as much as possible, it wasn’t far to another curve SW where snow still covered the road. A steepish, but otherwise easy march led to a flat area. Lupe now had a clearer view of Peak 5266, and was already high enough to see Mount Theodore Roosevelt(5,680 ft.) and Peak5360 off to the NW.
Past the mud, approaching the snowy turn to the SW.On the steepish road march higher. Photo looks SW.Peak 5266 from the flat region. Photo looks S.Mount Theodore Roosevelt (Center) and Peak 5360 (R). Photo looks NW.
A couple more roads left the flat spot. The American Dingo took the one going SE. The initial stretch was nearly level, but the map showed that this road would eventually work its way up to a point less than 200 feet below Peak 5266’s summit. After passing under a power line, the road bent E.
About to take the road going SE.Passing under the power line. Photo looks SW.
Although Lupe saw no one, and didn’t come to any more for sale signs, indications of change were everywhere. Primitive side roads had been bulldozed off in various directions. Recently logged trees were stacked here and there. Electric junction boxes sat awaiting use.
Looks like this whole mountain really is for sale, SPHP!
Apparently this N slope is going to be, if it isn’t already, Loop. Destined to be turned into a housing development by the looks of things. Going to be some beautiful building sites with views up here pretty soon. Kind of sad, though. Peak 5266 will never be the same.
Humans and their progress, SPHP.
I know. What can I say? We all have to live somewhere.
Passing signs of impending development. Photo looks ESE.
Before Lupe got far enough E to reach the point where the road would turn S beginning a winding journey back W again, heavy machinery could be heard not too far ahead. Abandoning the road, Looper began climbing through the snowy forest directly up Peak 5266’s N slope.
Didn’t take long to get above the pines to a rather steep region full of young aspens. By the time Loop intercepted the road again, she was above most of the aspens, too. The road was buried under such deep snow drifts up here that there was no advantage in trying to follow it. Crossing the road as soon as she came to a spot where it was possible to do so, the Carolina Dog reached a barren slope.
Leaving the road to head through the forest. Photo looks SSW.Among the young aspens. Photo looks S.200 feet higher now, back on the road again. Photo looks W.About to tackle Peak 5266’s upper N slope. Photo looks S.
The summit couldn’t be much farther! Passing minor outcroppings, Lupe headed for a limestone escarpment visible along the upper end of the slope, obvious source of several huge chunks that had broken away ages ago. Bear Butte(4,422 ft.) was already in sight far to the NE.
Bear Butte (L) from Peak 5266’s N slope. Photo looks ENE.Approaching the limestone escarpment. Photo looks S.
Once above the escarpment, open terrain that wasn’t as steep led to the summit. Several deer enjoying the day here weren’t anxious to strike up an acquaintance with a Carolina Dog. As soon as they spotted Lupe, they all dashed away, much to her disappointment.
Above the escarpment, on final approach. Photo looks SW.One of Peak 5266’s current residents before the humans move in.
11:09 AM, 45ºF, Peak 5266 – Lupe arrived at a summit region so big and flat that it was hard to say which little rock might be the absolute high point. Short dry grass covered the entire hilltop. No trees, only a few bushes toward the N where the terrain began gradually dropping away.
Wow! What beautiful views from up here, SPHP!
This is a sweet viewpoint, Loop! Sort of surprising for a minor peak like this, but the openness is key. The snow still lingering on the hills doesn’t hurt a thing, either.
The views really were nice. Terry Peak(7,064 ft.) off to the SW, flanked by both Deer Mountain(6,652 ft.) and Bald Mountain(6,617 ft.), was the big standout.
Deer Mountain (L), Terry Peak (R), and Bald Mountain (far R). Photo looks SW.Terry Peak (L), Bald Mountain (Center). Looking SW with help from the telephoto lens.
In the completely opposite direction, Bear Butte(4,422 ft.), looking quite small from here, lurked beyond the main body of the Black Hills.
Crook Mountain(4,930 ft.) (L), Bear Butte (L of Center). Photo looks NE.Bear Butte with lots of help from the telephoto lens.
Much more to see, too! Something of interest in almost every direction. Peak5177, another Lists of John peak Lupe had recently visited rather late one day in January, from which she’d had a great view of the lights of Deadwood, was to the NNE overlooking the Whitewood Creek valley.
Junction of Hwy 14A & Hwy 85 E of Deadwood (L), Whitewood Creek valley (R), Peak 5177 (far R). Photo looks NNE.Whitewood Creek valley (L of Center), Peak 5177 (R). Photo looks NNE.
Terry Peak and Bald Mountain (L), White Rocks (Center). Photo looks W.White Rocks (R of Center). Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.Mount Theodore Roosevelt (L), Peak 5360 (R). Photo looks NW.
Looking S, mostly barren slopes white with snow rose along both sides of Spruce Gulch toward unfamiliar hilltops capped by dark green pines. More to the E, Lexington Hill (5,485 ft.) and Peak5452, which had both proven inaccessible from Peedee Gulch, were in sight.
Spruce Gulch (L of Center). Photo looks S.Peak 5452 (Center). Photo looks SE.Lexington Hill (Center). Photo looks SSE.
Peak 5452 was even farther away now than it had been at Peedee Gulch. Still the wrong direction to approach it from, anyway, but Lexington Hill was a different situation.
Gosh, Loop! Lexington Hill can’t be any more than 1.5 miles from here. All open country, so we shouldn’t have any trouble getting over there. It isn’t a Lists of John peak with a minimum of 300 feet of prominence, but it’s a named peak we’ve never been to in the Black Hills. Want to try it?
No time like the present, SPHP! Let’s do it!
Peak 5452 (L) and the next hill leading to Lexington Hill (R). Photo looks SE.
Loop would have to lose 300 feet of elevation before she could start up Lexington Hill. Heading down Peak 5266’s gentle SE slope, she made it to a sudden drop. Peering over the edge, the Carolina Dog found herself gazing down on someone’s house.
Someone else already bought part of Peak 5266, SPHP!
So I see. Well, we can’t go traipsing uninvited right through someone’s yard, Looper. That’s just asking for trouble. Would love to climb it, but maybe we better forget about Lexington Hill?
Forced to abandon the Lexington Hill idea, Lupe briefly returned to Peak 5266’s summit before heading down the N slope, this time aiming more directly for the flat spot where the road going back down to the muddy stretch left the mountain.
About as far down Peak 5266’s SE slope as Lupe got before having to head back up. Photo looks NW.
12:49 PM, 46ºF, back at the RAV4 –
Peak 5266 was pretty cool, SPHP! Fabulous views! Are we going to buy it?
Wish we could, Loopster, but I really can’t afford to buy a whole mountain.
Aww! Please, please, please! It’s not such a big mountain, but if it’s too much, then how about buying just the top? That’s where we’d want to be, anyway, you know. Imagine living way up there! We’d leave the yard all natural, so the deers could still live up there with us!
Sounds terrific, Lupe, but I didn’t see any for sale signs up top, did you? The only for sale sign is way down here near the bottom. Not nearly enough acreage involved to go clear to the top of the mountain. Don’t think it’s for sale, at least, not yet.
Maybe someday then, SPHP?
Maybe, Loop, but I think we’re dreaming.
12:56 PM, 46ºF, a pullout near the junction of Mount Roosevelt Road & Stage Run Road, 0.25 mile NW of Peak5360 –
This should be an easy one, Looper! All Black Hills National Forest, so no access issues at all, and it’s not that far away.
About to set out for Peak 5360. Photo looks SE.
Ignoring an obvious snowy lane heading directly up the hill to the SE, SPHP led Lupe past a pile of snow the plow had left at the end of the pullout. Another lane beyond the snow pile curved along the hillside, then seemed to switchback up it. However, this lane soon seemed less and less like a road, or even a path.
Buried in many places beneath a couple of feet of snow, it was hard to tell exactly what sort of route this was that Loop was trying to follow. The slope was pretty steep, but the top of the ridge didn’t look all that much higher, so a decision was soon made to simply go straight up the slope. As soon as Loopster got above the trees, which only took a few minutes, Peak 5360 was already in sight.
Peak 5360. Photo looks SE.
A little steep near the end, SPHP, but Peak 5360 is going to be cake!
2 minutes later, Lupe made it to dry ground up on the ridgeline. Slash piles left over from old logging operations dotted the ridge, and even Peak 5360’s upper slopes. An easy stroll along the open ridge, and the American Dingo was at the base of the final rocky pitch higher.
Up on the ridge. Peak 5360 (R). Photo looks SE.Nothing to it, really!About as steep as it got closing in on the summit. Photo looks SE.
1:24 PM, 46ºF, Peak5360 – Tilting skyward SW, the true summit of Peak 5360 was a platform of solid rock that provided an even better view of Terry Peak, Deer Mountain, and Bald Mountain than the one Lupe had enjoyed from Peak 5266. Foley Mountain(6,640 ft.) was in sight from this angle, too.
Peak 5360 true summit. Deer Mountain (L), Terry Peak & Bald Mountain (L of Center), Foley Mountain (Center). Photo looks SW.Terry Peak & Bald Mountain (L), Foley Mountain (L of Center). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.
Let’s hang out right here, Loop. This is a cool summit, too. We’re really lucking out with these last 2 Lists of John peaks!
This isn’t as good a spot to build a house, SPHP. Not enough room, but what a dramatic viewpoint!
No homes allowed in the National Forest, anyway, Looper. Care for a chocolate coconut bar?
Thought you’d never ask, SPHP! Way past lunch time, you know.
Yup. There’s Taste of the Wild for you, too.
Looking down the SE ridge, Peak 5266 was in sight. Peak 5360 was only 100 feet higher, but that was enough to make quite a difference. From here, SPHP could identify some peaks Lupe hadn’t been to in a long time. Pillar Peak(5,469 ft.), Bear Den Mountain(5,642 ft.), Dome Mountain(5,512 ft.), and Anchor Hill(5,720 ft.) were all on display.
Pillar Peak (far L), Dome Mountain (L) and Bear Den Mountain (L of Center) all on the horizon. Peak 5266 (Center) in the foreground with Anchor Hill (Center) beyond it. White Rocks (far R). Photo looks SE.Peak 5266 (L) with Anchor Hill beyond. Spruce Gulch (R), White Rocks (far R). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.
Looking W, considerably more of Theodore Roosevelt Mountain was in sight. Spearfish Peak(5,800 ft.) was now visible on the horizon, too.
Mount Theodore Roosevelt (R of Center), Spearfish Peak (R). Photo looks W.
The SW edge of the summit platform Lupe was relaxing on was the brink of a cliff. Peering over it, homes along both sides of Stage Run Road were visible in the valley below. None of the homeowners would have had any inkling of the dramatic setting their homes were part of from down there.
Stage Run Road (below). Deer Mountain (Center). Terry Peak, Bald Mountain and Foley Mountain all (R). Photo looks SW.
Two more high points only moderately lower than the true summit were visible out along Peak 5360’s NE ridge.
Didn’t take us long to get up here, SPHP. Want to explore those other high points? They aren’t very far away.
Sure, Loop. Why not? Looks easy.
Peak 5360’s NE ridge from the true summit.
It was a fun little trek! From the rocks at the first high point, Lupe could see Polo Peak(5,410 ft.) and Green Mountain(5,325 ft.), and enjoyed a different perspective on Peak 5360’s true summit.
Mount Theodore Roosevelt (L), Polo Peak (R), and Green Mountain (far R) from the first high point. Photo looks WNW.Peak 5360’s true summit (L), Terry Peak (Center), Bald Mountain (R of Center), and Foley Mountain (R). Photo looks SW.
The part of the ridge leading to the second high point had been clear cut, and was full of brown-needled slash piles. The ridge continued E to a third, somewhat lower, high point where it looked like there was either a monument, or giant cairn.
However, hoping to climb yet another Lists of John peak today, Lupe didn’t go that far, content with a view of Pillar Peak beyond a stretch of Hwy 14A from the second high point, instead.
Approaching the second high point. Photo looks ESE.Pillar Peak (R) beyond Hwy 14A. Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.
Well, about time to head back. Retracing her journey along the NE ridge, Lupe returned briefly to Peak 5360’s true summit.
Terry Peak and Peak 5360’s true summit (far L), Mount Theodore Roosevelt and the first high point (far R) from the second high point. Photo looks WSW.Returning to the true summit (L). Terry Peak (Center), Bald Mountain (R of Center), Foley Mountain (R). Photo looks SW.Back on Peak 5360’s true summit. Peak 5266 (R). Photo looks SE.
Loop made it to the RAV4 (2:38 PM) with plenty of time to climb another Lists of John peak, but SPHP chose poorly. Driving to Central City and taking Maitland Road N, shortly after making a R (E) turn onto USFS Road No. 195.2A, it proved too soft and mucky with melting snow to get the Carolina Dog into position to climb Peak5260.
Well, shucks, Loopster! We aren’t close enough now to anything else you still need to climb to get there today. Guess we’re going to have to call it kind of early. Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 300! Sort of a milestone. Hope you had a good time.
Oh, I did, SPHP! Both Peak 5266 and Peak 5360 were great viewpoints, and you did make Expedition No. 300 quite memorable for me today, too!
I did? What makes you say that, Looper?
First time you’ve ever talked about buying me a whole mountain, SPHP!
Maybe someday, but probably not. Never hurts to dream.
My, how times have changed, Looper! Just act natural, and keep going.
The guy insisting that reservations are required to see Multnomah Falls looked right at SPHP as Lupe sauntered on by, but said nothing. So far, so good. The Carolina Dog trotted through the underpass and emerged a short distance from the Multnomah Falls Lodge restaurant.
Sure enough, a lady at a booth out front was checking reservations. None needed to visit the restaurant or gift shop, but definitely required to see the falls. Only $1.00, and reservations can be made online.
We’re not from around here, and my American Dingo has come a long way to see Multnomah Falls. Didn’t know reservations were required, and I don’t have a smart phone. What can we do?
The lady was cool. No problem! Lupe could go right on ahead. This whole reservation deal is a pilot program new this year to help reduce crowding at the falls. Reservation requirements won’t be made official until 2022, after this year’s results have been taken into consideration.
She didn’t even ask for the $1.00.
Luck of the Dingo, we’re in! Good job, Looper!
Never realized before what a smooth talker you are, SPHP!
Mark it on your calendar, Loop. A historical first.
In like Flynn outside the Multnomah Falls Lodge, restaurant, and gift shop!
The big daily rush was just beginning. People were arriving in droves.
C’mon, Loopster! Let’s have a look at Multnomah Falls before the crowd gets totally insane.
Spectacular, double-decker Multnomah Falls was only a short walk from the restaurant. SPHP had a quick look at a display, then Lupe went to see the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States.
Multnomah Falls.
Oh, we’ve been here before, SPHP! With Lanis in 2012!
That’s right, Loop! Worth another look, don’t you think?
Certainly is! Multnomah Falls is awesome! Didn’t we go up above the falls, though, with Lanis?
Sure did! We will again as soon as we’re done admiring the falls from down here. We’ll be going a lot farther this time, too. All the way to both Devils Rest(2,400 ft.) and Angels Rest(1,600 ft.).
A short paved trail led up to a bridge over the lower falls that was closer to the more spectacular upper falls. Before heading up there, Lupe had a good look at the 69 foot tall lower falls.
A better look at the bridge above the lower falls.The lower falls.
The lower falls alone were impressive, but at 543 feet tall, the upper falls were nearly an incredible 8 times as high! Lupe started up the trail.
On the trail to the bridge.
The bridge was already so busy, that it was hard to get a turn on it. Lupe waited and waited, but it was soon evident that a chance to linger on the bridge just wasn’t going to happen. When an opportunity came to dash across, Loop went for it. SPHP paused only for a couple of quick photos.
Waiting for a chance to get a Lupe photo on the bridge. Didn’t happen.Multnomah Falls upper falls.Pool below the upper falls.
Once across the bridge, the trail wasn’t quite so busy. After a good look at the stupendous upper falls from near the bridge, the American Dingo was eager to continue. The paved trail made 11 long switchbacks on the way up a steep forested slope. However, this wasn’t difficult, since the trail itself wasn’t all that steep.
Every now and then, there were fabulous views of the Columbia River. At one point Loopster could see both Hamilton Mountain(2,438 ft.) and Beacon Rock(840 ft.) on the Washington side of the river.
Across the bridge, ready to head to the top of Multnomah Falls.Columbia River (R) and Benson Lake (L). Photo looks WNW.Hamilton Mountain (L) and Beacon Rock (R) across the Columbia River. Photo looks NE (upstream) with help from the telephoto lens.
After gaining nearly 750 feet of elevation, the trail went over a small ridge and started down. Almost immediately, Lupe came to a junction where there was a posted map. The Multnomah Falls overlook was at the end of a short spur trail to the R. On the way to it, Looper helped herself to a drink from Multnomah Creek.
Map posted at the junction with the Multnomah Falls overlook spur.Wading in Multnomah Creek.A short distance above the falls.
Returning to the spur trail, a set of stone stairs brought Lupe down to a round platform virtually on the brink of the upper falls. This platform also provided another great view of the Columbia River.
The stone stairway leading down to the upper falls overlook.At the upper falls overlook.On the brink!Should have leaned the camera out farther!The upstream view, another little waterfall right before the big plunge.Columbia River from the top of Multnomah Falls. Photo looks WNW.
The viewing platform was small, room for only a couple of people at a time at the best spot. With lots of people coming and going, Lupe and SPHP were just in the way after taking a turn. Better move on. Leaving the overlook, Lupe returned to the main trail.
Which way now, SPHP? Up the Multnomah Creek canyon, or back down the switchbacks?
Up the canyon, Loop!
Taking Larch Mountain Trail No. 441 upstream, Lupe soon came to a stone bridge over Multnomah Creek. No longer paved, the trail then wound up the beautiful canyon passing a series of waterfalls. At one point, it went under a massive, but odd, solid rock ledge. Very scenic!
Crossing the stone bridge.By Multnomah Creek.Larch Mountain Trail No. 441.
Passing a waterfall.Approaching the odd overhanging ledge (R).Strange, but awesome!
Trail No. 441 wasn’t crowded, but a surprising number of people were on it. Justifiably so, too! The canyon was full of lovely spots.
The last waterfall Lupe came to was the most impressive. Definitely worth a closer look! The Carolina Dog left the trail to check it out.
Best waterfall up the canyon.
Scrambling over some big driftwood, the Carolina Dog got right down next to the pool immediately below the falls. Amazing! Couldn’t have done that at Multnomah Falls! This was a much more private spot, too.
Right next to the pool below the falls. Fabulous!
Too bad we didn’t come this far with Lanis, SPHP! He would have loved it!
Yeah, this is incredible, Loop! Didn’t realize all these additional waterfalls were up here.
Splendid!
Above this grandest waterfall of the canyon, Larch Mountain Trail No. 441 climbed further up the W side of the canyon, still going upstream. Larch Mountain(4,055 ft.) was miles ahead, but that wasn’t where Lupe was going. SPHP began looking for Wahkeena Trail No. 420.
However, the junction didn’t appear for a while. By the time Lupe came to it, another bridge over Multnomah Creek was visible farther up the canyon. Loop never got that far, taking No. 420 instead.
Signage and map at the junction with Wahkeena Trail No. 420.
Wahkeena Trail No. 420 started out doubling back to the NW, climbing gradually along the steep mountainside above the Multnomah Creek canyon. Lupe passed through a large region of burnt forest. Glimpses of the Columbia River eventually appeared once the trail curved SW.
Lush undergrowth prospering below the burnt forest often prevented Lupe from getting to enjoy these views.
Wahkeena Trail No. 420. Photo looks NW.On a ferny stretch.Passing a small stand of pink fireweed past its prime.
Long sections of the trail were flat, which made for rapid progress. That changed once Lupe came to a junction with Devils Rest Trail No. 420C.
I presume we’re on our way to Devils Rest now, right, SPHP?
Yup!
Junction of Wahkeena Trail No. 420 (L) and Devils Rest Trail No. 420C (R). Photo looks E.Signage.
Devils Rest Trail No. 420C immediately began switchbacking up a steep slope. Despite the switchbacks, the trail climbed quite aggressively as Lupe journeyed through a green tunnel of exotic botanical specimens. Ferns, plants with giant leaves, and clusters of red and orange berries were all part of such a luxurious display that at times SPHP couldn’t even see the trail.
Devils Rest Trail No. 420C.Beautiful! SPHP didn’t dare taste any, though.Or any of these, either. Most berries of this type were bright orange.
Lupe had seen several hikers on Wahkeena Trail No. 420, but only one appeared on Devils Rest Trail No. 420C. A girl, also heading up, passed SPHP on the switchbacks. After gaining hundreds of feet of elevation, the rate of climb diminished.
As the trail began leveling out, lively caterpillars that looked like Woolly Bears, but were bright yellow, inched as rapidly as possible across the path. Lupe came to a big stand of spent fireweed where thousands of seeds were blowing away in the breeze.
A bright yellow version of a woolly bear.Amid the fireweed that had gone to seed. Photo looks SSW.
Soon after passing the fireweed, the trail ran along the rim of the upper end of the Wahkeena Creek valley. 0.5 mile away, a heavily forested hill could be seen to the SW. It wasn’t very high, or remarkable in any way.
Really? Not going to see much over there, are we, SPHP?
Maybe not. Sure doesn’t look all that promising from here, Loop.
Lupe came to another trail junction. No signage. The girl that had passed SPHP on the switchbacks was sitting nearby, meditating.
Beyond this junction, Devils Rest Trail No. 420C gradually curved W, still following the rim of the valley. The trail was wide, smooth, and perfectly flat. The trunks of large trees were blackened by fire, but the forest had survived here. Ferns grew below the trees, but the tall vegetation that had hemmed Lupe in earlier was gone.
Like a walk in the park! Photo looks WSW.
Lupe came to a wooden bridge across a tiny stream. Eventually the trail curved SW away from the rim of the valley, winding through the forest. A second unsigned junction appeared. The trail to the R went uphill, so Lupe followed it. 250 feet got her to a collection of mossy boulders next to a lightly fire-scarred tree that bore a wooden sign.
Crossing the little wooden bridge.Arriving at Devils Rest.
1:24 PM, 60ºF, Devils Rest(2,400 ft.) – Two clusters of mossy boulders separated by 50 feet constituted the summit of Devils Rest. Both were buried deep in the forest, confirming fears of a complete lack of views. Lupe easily leapt up to the top of the very highest boulder, which was a tall, rather skinny one among the group toward the W.
At the true summit of Devils Rest. Photo looks NW.Yeah, this was cake!
Lupe was still standing on the true summit when a woman appeared. She claimed to be a landscape photographer. Relinquishing the true summit, Loop and SPHP moved to the NE collection of boulders, which was only nominally lower.
At the NE boulder collection. Photo looks NE.True summit (Center) from the NE boulders. Photo looks SW.
Apparently Landscape Photographer Lady wasn’t overly impressed with Devils Rest. A few minutes, and she was outta here! However, before she left, she imparted an important tip to SPHP. The trail that continued straight where Loopster had turned R to come up to Devils Rest was a shortcut to Angels Rest.
Interesting, timely, and useful information, indeed! Neither SPHP’s maps, nor any of the posted trail maps, showed that trail. If Lupe could go that way, she could save several miles, plus a bunch of unnecessary elevation loss and gain, versus returning to Wahkeena Trail No. 420, and then proceeding on to Angels Rest.
After Landscape Photographer Lady left, Meditation Girl appeared. For a long time, she sat silently over by the true summit. Meanwhile, Lupe was perfectly content, enjoying the NE boulder cluster. SPHP shook the Carolina Dog’s paw, congratulating Loopster on her successful ascent of Devils Rest (her first ever Oregon peak!), and split a chocolate coconut bar with her.
Getting comfy on a bed of short pine needles in a cleft between two of the mossy boulders, Lupe then had some Taste of the Wild and water. Meditation Girl could take as long as she liked. Loop was in no hurry.
Taking it easy at Dingo’s Rest.
Meditation Girl took her sweet time, but eventually vanished, never to be seen again. The American Dingo remained, extending her Devils Rest visit. Lupe sniffed about and scrambled on some of the rocks of the NE cluster before returning to the true summit again.
Among the NE cluster boulders. Photo looks N.Back at the true summit.Hasn’t changed, SPHP! Still no views!
No one else appeared. Her traditional summit hour complete, Lupe left the mossy boulders of Devils Rest alone in the quiet forest. Returning to the last junction, Lupe followed Landscape Photographer Lady’s advice, taking the mysterious shortcut to Angels Rest.
The trail headed gradually down a jungley slope deep in the forest. After only 200 feet, a sign appeared ahead.
First sign (L) along the Angels Rest shortcut.
Appears we’re on the Foxglove Trail, Loop.
Beyond the sign, Foxglove Way headed W down through a secluded part of the jungle at a pretty good clip, gradually curving NW. At the bottom of this medium length decent was another trail junction.
No signage. Now what?
At the next junction.
Looking around more carefully, actually there was some signage. A little back up Foxglove Way, two signs were nailed to a tree.
Signage (L) back along Foxglove Way. Photo looks SE.
Angels Rest was L (W) at this junction, which made sense. A little past the junction, another sign confirmed that Lupe was going the right way.
Whether or not Lupe was still on Foxglove Way wasn’t clear, but SPHP presumed she was. From the junction, the trail slowly gained 80 feet of elevation before topping out and beginning a long and equally gradual descent. This entire region was forested, too.
Lupe came to a creepy tree all hung with moss, but it really wasn’t scary in the middle of the afternoon.
By the Creepy Tree.
After a fairly long downhill stretch, a clearing that was still quite a bit lower could be seen ahead near the edge of the mountain.
That must be Angels Rest, Loop!
The trail continued W straight for it. Shortly before getting there, Lupe came to yet another junction.
At the junction. Lupe had come down from the R. Photo looks ENE.Sign at the junction. The trail to Wahkeena Falls at this point is actually a continuation E of Angels Rest Trail No. 415. Foxglove Way goes to Devils Rest.
Lupe kept going W toward the clearing. Two minutes, and she had her best view yet of Angels Rest, an uneven 800 foot long ridge extending WNW out from the rest of the mountain toward the Columbia River.
Approaching Angels Rest. Photo looks WNW.
3:14 PM, 72ºF, Angels Rest(1,600 ft.)– A 15 mph breeze was blowing out of the NNE as Lupe reached Angels Rest. The trail passed an initial rock formation along the N edge that provided a great viewpoint. Near a low spot just a little farther on, Angels Rest Trail No. 415 angled up from the SE. This was the route to the closest trailhead 2 miles farther W down by the Columbia River.
Ignoring that option, Lupe continued WNW along the spur that went out onto Angels Rest, pausing often to enjoy the views from a series of scenic rock formations along the N edge. Unfortunately, the air was somewhat smoky, especially toward the W, but at least the smoke wasn’t terrible.
View from the first rock formation. Photo looks N.Along the N edge. Photo looks WNW.Exploring the rock formations. Photo looks NW.A bit smoky, but an otherwise tremendous view of the Columbia River. Photo looks W.
The true summit of Angels Rest, to the extent there was one, was located up on a large rock formation near the E end of the ridge just beyond the low point. Naturally, Lupe went up there for a look around.
Below the summit. Photo looks NW.Columbia River from up top. Photo looks NE.
The Angels Rest ridge was a little lower and wider as Lupe continued on toward the WNW end. Many bushes and a few trees covered most of the center and S side of the ridge, while the N side was more open.
At the far end, the N side of the ridge dropped toward a region of solid rock with a fabulous panoramic view of the Columbia River gorge. Lupe hadn’t seen anyone at all on Foxglove Way after leaving Devils Rest, but visitors swarmed over Angels Rest. A couple of young women with a dog had taken possession of the barren rocks right along the edge.
It had been a long trek. Lupe was in no great rush. Taking shelter from the sun among the bushes nearby, where she still had a spectacular view, it was time for a break. SPHP congratulated the American Dingo on her successful “ascent” of Angels Rest, which had been nearly all downhill, then shared the second (and last!) chocolate coconut bar with her. Loop then saw fit to polish off the rest of the Taste of the Wild, as well.
A big drink of water, and the Carolina Dog conked out, enjoying the cool breeze in the shade of the bushes.
Approaching the terrific viewpoint (Center) along the N edge near the end of the ridge. Photo looks NW.A divine nap on Angels Rest.Dingoes are angels, too!
Throngs of people came and went, many going almost right down to the two young women, and sometimes talking to them. They didn’t budge, though, retaining their premier spot.
Studying the view while Loopster snoozed, SPHP suddenly realized that Silver Star Mountain(4,360 ft.) was right across the Columbia River! Almost every high point the American Dingo had visited yesterday was in sight, plus Larch Mountain(3,480 ft.) (the one in Washington), too!
It had to happen, and finally did. The two young women departed. Their prime viewpoint was vacant!
No rest for the wicked, Looper! C’mon, let’s go down there!
Wicked! This is Angel’s Rest, SPHP!
Can’t fool me, sly Dingo. I saw you taking it mighty easy up at Devils Rest not so long ago!
Larch Mountain (far L) and Silver Star Mountain (L) beyond the Columbia River from the premier viewpoint. Photo looks N.The upstream view. Photo looks NE.Downstream. Photo looks W.
Almost instantly, more people arrived. Relinquishing the primo spot, Lupe followed a use trail counter-clockwise around the end of the ridge. At the far W end along the S side, a small opening provided probably the most splendid view of all from Angels Rest.
Columbia River from Angels Rest. Photo looks W.
Gosh, too bad it’s so smoky this way, Loop. What a magnificent sight!
I bet our friend, Jobe Wymore, has seen this view at sunset countless times, SPHP. Can you imagine that? He climbed Angels Rest almost daily for years!
Yeah, this must be absolutely amazing at sunset! And just think, if we had been here 216 years ago, we could have seen Lewis & Clark sail by, almost at the end of their journey to the Pacific Ocean. They must have been happy!
No, I don’t think so, SPHP. They came in November when the weather was lousy. Remember when we went to Dismal Nitch with Lanis? And Lewis & Clark also named Cape Disappointment. We’re having a much better time here today than Lewis & Clark ever did.
Lupe had been at Angels Rest for more than an hour already. Getting to be late afternoon, and it was a long way back. Before departing, Lupe returned to the Angels Rest summit, and spent a little while exploring and sniffing some more among the interesting rock formations.
Angels Rest summit. Photo looks ESE.An angelic American Dingo!On the rocks.Final moments along the N edge. Larch Mountain (L), Silver Star Mountain (R) beyond the Columbia River. Photo looks NNW.
5:17 PM, Angels Rest Trail No. 415 – After returning to the junction near Angels Rest where the sign had pointed the way to Wahkeena Falls, Lupe went that way. Miles to go, but Wahkeena Falls would be a considerable shortcut back to Multnomah Falls compared to going all the way back to Devils Rest again.
It was a beautiful early evening with sunlight streaming through the burnt forest illuminating the tall, lush undergrowth. Angels Rest Trail No. 415 went gradually uphill at first, before leveling out at a high point where there was a junction with a shortcut back to Foxglove Way. From there, No. 415 was level, or nearly so, as it wound along the mountain working its way generally NE.
After gaining some elevation following a stream before crossing it, the trail turned N, beginning a long descent. Eventually curving E, then S, Angels Rest Trail No. 415 was going NE again when Lupe finally reached Wahkeena Trail No. 420.
Along the stream.Sign pointing back along Angels Rest Trail No. 415 at the junction with Wahkeena Trail No. 420.Junction of Angels Rest Trail No. 415 and Wahkeena Trail No. 420.Distances to various points along Wahkeena Trail No. 420.Red star – Lupe is here!
Down, down, down! Turning NNW (L) at Wahkeena Trail No. 420, Lupe followed it nearly 1.5 miles down to Hwy 30, an easy trek on good trail past many beautiful sights. Both Fairy Falls, not far from the top, and Wahkeena Falls, near the bottom, were definite highlights. Wahkeena Creek was gorgeous all the way, as it cascaded down the steep valley.
Delicate Fairy Falls.Wahkeena Creek.Lovely Wahkeena Falls.Wahkeena Falls. Another angle.Signage at the Wahkeena Falls trailhead.
7:14 PM, 78ºF, RAV4 – Devils Rest, Angels Rest, Multnomah Falls and so many others – what a fabulous day it had been! Lupe had made a giant loop with wonderful sights lurking around every bend. Still light out, too! Plenty of time for a pleasant evening drive E through the awesome Columbia River Gorge on I-84.
The sun was down, and it was getting dark when a weary Carolina Dog reached Hood River. Far enough. Dinner, then a long snooze ahead!
Columbia River from Angels Rest, Cascade Range, Oregon 8-24-21
