Three Corner Rock   6/11/2017   (#32)

 

Three Corner Rock is one of the high points and former fire lookout locations in southern Washington along the Columbia River corridor.  It is a relatively easy and well graded hike of about 4.5 miles round trip and 800 feet elevation to a high point of 3550 feet.  We started from the intersection of the Pacific Crest Trail and GG 2090 road, which is about a 10 mile drive along a well graded gravel road north from Skamania, Washington.

The trail leads through shady forest and early season flowers – Alaskan Bunchberry, the distinctive four-petaled white flowers of the Dogwood family, were especially abundant along the entire trail.  Also common were vanilla leaf, anemones, and fading trilliums.

After a few switchbacks we entered into avalanche lily territory, many dripping with water that made them looked like they were melting.

There is one rocky lookout to the east along the trail. Full landscape views don’t really appear until saddle/summit meadow.  Three Corner Rock is to the north of the saddle, and a cell tower is to the south.  We were pleased to see our first blooming bear grass of the year in the summit meadow, as well as plenty of the dogwood, paintbrush, lupine and a few Queen’s Cup lilies.

We ate lunch near the top of Three Corner Rock – the path to the old lookout platform on the very top is a rock scramble that we did not feel the need to make.  To the east we could see the base of Mt Adams and part of the ridge line of the Goat Rocks/Dark Divide area.  We could see a bit of the Columbia River to the southeast, and SilverStar Mountain and the logged patchwork of the southern Gifford Pinchot National Forest to the west.  We will have to return on a cloudless day day to see the full cascade views.

On our drive back we stopped to see Steep Creek Falls.

Elgol Cross Stitch Update

In September of 2016 we spent 5 days on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Dan had a photo workshop one day which included spending the evening on the beach at Elgol, looking across the sea to the Black Cuillin Mountains.  This was a remarkably beautiful location, with interesting rock formations and amazing light as the sun set behind the mountains.

I purchased an Elgol cross stitch kit designed by Isle of Skye Crafts from the shop in Portree.  It is a bit daunting in size and pattern – I think there are more than 20 different pink/purple thread colors.  I leave it out on a table where I can add a few stitches whenever I have a few minutes.  I have enjoyed watching the landscape appear from the cloth. I have been taking a picture about once a month.

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