Angel’s Rest Trail, Oregon November 24, 2018
A few trails in the Columbia River Gorge that have been closed since the September 2017 Eagle Creek Fire were reopened for the first time this past weekend. We went to Angel’s Rest on Saturday morning, along with hundreds of other local hikers. It was with care, scrutiny, appreciation, and gratitude that we made our way up 1500 feet to the iconic views over the gorge. The trail was in great shape, thanks to the many trail keepers who have worked on recovery.
Into the woods
Views of Cape Horn, the Columbia River and Phoca Rock emerge on the lower trail.
Coopey Falls
Angel’s Rest – our destination.
The trail begins to switchback up the front of Angel’s Rest.
Burned tree trunks and open views line the trail.
First view west toward the trailhead.
Well repaired trail surface next to blackened trees.
Blackened stump.
Nearing the top, the views unfold:
To the west, from near the top.
The Hilary Step of Angel’s Rest – leads to the ridge crest. Sometimes there is a line of hikers waiting to go up or down.
From the top, looking toward the overlook where many rest.
Open view west – toward Portland, Cape Horn in Washington and Phoca Rock.
Open view east – toward Hamilton Mountain in Washington.
We wandered around on top for a while, admiring the view from various perspectives, and found a place to eat lunch.
Closer view of Cape Horn in Washington.
The bench is still there.
We saw a single blooming white yarrow near our lunch stop.
Yarrow
We headed down, stopping for a few more views along the way.
Looking back toward the top, where the first views are seen.
My shadow in the low November light.
My favorite sculpted shoreline of the Columbia River.
View through the rock piles.
Seasonal berries
Trees that are burned, dying, no longer evergreen.
Looking back as we hiked down:
Where we were – and much more visible with all the undergrowth burned away.
White berries lined this part of the trail – not sure what they are – possible snowberries, or the dreaded poison oak.
Golden Hike of the year, #62, 5.2 miles, 1500 feet.
Look back:
I found a couple of comparison photos from previous hikes – this one in January of 2013:
January 2013 – the white tree trunks are left from a fire in 1991.
November 2018 – the white trunks are blackened, and the green trees are now dying.
A closer view:
January 2013
November 2018
An image taken in 2017 from Cape Horn looking over to today’s hike to Angel’s Rest.
Angel’s Rest, October 2017, From Cape Horn, WA.
Pumpkin Pie
A lovely Thanksgiving dinner with a small gathering of family and friends.
Knitting
Another round cloth. Some new sock and hat yarn acquired from my LYS on Black Friday.
Jane Austen House Cross Stitch
I have been rather obsessively cross stitching in the evenings.
Neighborhood
Leaves fully gone from the flame ash tree.
Other Adventures
It has been about a year since I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor. I had another trip through the MRI this week to evaluate the tumor surgery site, accompanied by a Joni Mitchell soundtrack in my head this time. Fortunately, all appears well. And I could see all three mountains from the OHSU tram view patio.
Mt St Helens on the left; the top of Mt Adams just right of center on the horizon. Tillikum Bridge over the Willamette River on the right.
Tillikum Bridge on the left; Mt Hood on the horizon – looking east from the OHSU tram patio.
Margaret Quilts 