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Top o’ the Multnomah to ya!

March 25, 2013 / doublemom94

I decided, coming home from Hood River this weekend, that after driving past Multnomah Falls dozens and dozens of times over the years, I’d better get up to the top at some point. I was early enough to avoid most of the weekend crowd on a beautiful day.

The trail is paved the whole way, except for the last 1/10th of a mile. It’s a series of switchbacks that take 1-1/4 mile to get up to 620 feet elevation to the top of the falls, and it reaffirmed my hatred of walking on pavement. But I did it anyway, and glad I did.

The lookout platform at the top is wonderful, literally built out over the drop-off of the top of Multnomah Falls, with the tiny little parking lot 620 feet below. There are some nice views of the Columbia River and the Gorge along the way too. I only saw a couple of people up top, but on my way down the hordes of tourists had arrived and were huffing and puffing their way to the top, so it was perfect timing for me to make my escape 🙂

Eagle Creek, Columbia Gorge

March 25, 2013 / doublemom94

I only got to hike part way up Eagle Creek this weekend, and after seeing the little bit I did, I definitely want to go back and get all the way to Tunnel Falls sometime this year!

It’s a nice steady grade all the way up the Eagle Creek canyon, with a few fun spots on the trail that have been blasted out of the cliff walls with heavy-duty cable to hold onto if needed. I had my trusty hiking poles and never used the cable, and felt very safe, although very wet after walking through all the water dripping off the canyon walls.

Metlako Falls is nice, but Punchbowl Falls is just beautiful, and of course the photos don’t do it justice at all. Incredible how the water has carved a big bowl out of the riverbed.

I only got as far as High Bridge before turning around, about half-way up the canyon. I’ll get back sometime soon and hike the whole thing, probably make an overnight backpack trip out of it, just for fun 🙂

Triple Falls & Oneonta Falls, Columbia River Gorge

March 17, 2013 / doublemom94

The hike to Triple Falls in the Columbia River Gorge is a must if you like waterfall hunting. Begin at Horsetail Falls, right at the trailhead and a tourist stopping spot. From there it’s a short hike up to Oneonta Falls, where the trail takes you behind the falls – not often you get to see a waterfall from the reverse side. From here most tourists head back to their cars, but if you keep going, you’ll get to Triple Falls and a lot more solitude. Tori and I had a picnic lunch on a huge log out over the stream, just above Triple Falls, and then had fun scrambling up the riverbed on big boulders. This is a very rocky trail, watch your ankles 🙂

UPDATE: I’ve heard that beginning in 2022 permits will be required for some of these areas. Probably a good thing, since the last time I tried to hike there it was so crowded I literally felt like cowering in a corner.

Upper Palisades, MRNP

March 17, 2013 / doublemom94

Love love love the hike to Upper Palisades Lake in Mt. Rainier NP. No good views of the big Mountain itself, but this hike definitely has its own beauty. There are only 2 campsites at Upper Palisades Lake, so if you’re looking for an un-crowded area in MRNP, this is a good spot. The meadow below the Palisades cliffs is beautiful, makes you feel very small. When I was there late last summer, gentians were blooming everywhere. This will be another one of my “must do yearly” backpack trips.

South Mowich River, MRNP

March 15, 2013 / doublemom94

This is the first overnight hike of the season into Mt. Rainier NP for me, because of its lower elevation. Unlike most other campgrounds, you hike down to South Mowich from the Paul Peak trailhead, not up. Not any great, spectacular views of the Mountain except for a few spots on the Paul Peak trail, but the South Mowich River valley is beautiful in and of itself, and when everything else around Rainier is still under feet of snow, this is a good option.

Skyscraper Pass/Berkeley Park, MRNP

March 15, 2013 / doublemom94

I leave a little bit of my heart at Skyscraper Pass every time I go out there. It’s one of my favorite places at Rainier… so much so that I’ve been known to hike out with a good book and a JetBoil to brew myself a pot of tea, and park myself at the top for 8 hours enjoying the view and talking to people as they pass by. Having to go through Berkeley Park to get there is the icing on the cake. (for photos of Berkeley Park in full wildflower bloom, stay tuned for my Wonderland Photos).

Just once in your lifetime (or several times, in my case) it’s worth it to get up well before dawn and drive out to Sunrise before the sun comes up, just to sit there and watch Rainier light up like a Christmas tree with alpenglow. It’s magical… the photos don’t come close to describing what it’s really like to watch the color change.

White Pass Nordic Area – Snowshoe

March 15, 2013 / doublemom94

The Nordic Ski area at White Pass (Hwy 12) has dedicated snowshoe trails as well as x-country skiing. It’s beautiful starting at the Yurt at Leech Lake, snowshoeing around the lake and through the forest or along the groomed trails. You can also connect with the PCT here and snowshoe for miles and miles…. It’s a great winter escape for those of us whose knees will not ever ski 🙂

Skyline Trail in Winter, MRNP

March 14, 2013 / doublemom94

The Skyline Trail in winter is just as gorgeous as in summertime, but in a different way. There is great show-shoeing out of Paradise, hopefully on a crystal-clear winter day that allows you to see all the way to Mt. Hood in Oregon. It’s days like these that get me through our gray, wet, PNW winters….

p.s. It IS possible to work on a tan in winter in Washington, I’ve gotten sunburned in January

Skyline Trail, Paradise, MRNP

March 14, 2013 / doublemom94

The Skyline Trail out of Paradise at MRNP is the classic dayhike at Mt. Rainier. Granted, it’s packed with tourists all summer, but it’s so gorgeous it’s worth the crowds, especially in the height of wildflower blooming season (these photos were taken in mid-August). Even then, on some years you can expect to cross some snow at the top near Panorama Point. Great views of Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens along the trail too. Did I mention the over-abundance of wildflowers? Sensory overload, in a good way…

Sheep Lake / Chinook Pass

March 13, 2013 / doublemom94

Sheep Lake is another one of those “gotta do this once a year” hikes… it’s an easy 2 mile hike in from Chinook Pass. Expect wildflower overload in August-ish (along with mosquitoes), not to mention a gorgeous mountain lake perfect for a picnic lunch. It’s a perfect easy dayhike, but there are also some nice camping spots around and near the lake.