Читать книгу Day Hikes in the Pacific Northwest - Don J. Scarmuzzi - Страница 11

5	OBSERVATION PEAK TO SISTER ROCKS

ELEVATION: 4207 ft; 4268 ft for Sister Rocks; with 1600 ft vertical gain including both summits

DISTANCE: 7 mi round-trip for all the high points and spur paths from the uppermost TH

DURATION: 4 hours round-trip

DIFFICULTY: Moderate. Signed, ups/downs okay, multiple summits, scrambling, narrow, steeper on Sister Rocks, bugs in late June through July

TRIP REPORT: Begin at the highest of many THs for this lovely brief day hike in Trapper Creek Wilderness suitable for hiking aficionados of all ages. Most people settle for the fascinating Sister Rocks area but it is possible to sneak in another quick summit with views of many high Cascade volcanoes. No fee or restroom.

The landmark from Sister Rocks across Trapper Creek Wilderness to Soda Peaks and Mount Hood.

TRAILHEAD: Observation Peak TH. Take I-84 E from Portland to exit 44 (Cascade Locks), continue under Bridge of the Gods and turn right up the circle to cross over it into Washington after paying the toll, turn right on WA-14 E 5¾ mi, turn left (N) through Carson on Wind River Road (FR-30) 14 mi NW (¼ mi past National Fish Hatchery), turn right to stay on FR-30 for 2 mi, fork left on narrower Dry Creek Road (FR-64, signed) 4 mi into gravel 2 mi, fork left on FR-5800 SSW steadily with some potholes 2 mi to signed parking on the left for Observation Trail 132 (73 mi, 1½ hours from Portland).

ROUTE: Hike S up the slender forested ridge trail with some fairly large Douglas firs around a mile without difficulty to a soft junction while crossing over the ridge. At this junction, there are two very short spur paths that head left (E) to a scree field with an unobstructed shot of nearby Mount Adams from the top of a rock pile past the brush. Rather than taking these short spurs, wait for the second path signed Sister Rock Trail just a few feet farther to the right from the main trail. Observation Peak is slightly anti-climactic compared to the more stimulating Sister Rocks summit area so we’ll save the best for last.

Continue SSE on Trail 132 down about 400 ft and ¾ mi gradually (to regain later) to a saddle with two signed junctures that you pass, the first for Big Hollow Trail 158 on the left (E) near a campsite, then Trapper Creek Trail 192 on the right (W). In less than ½ mi is another saddle with two more trails taking off for the Trapper Creek TH several miles away; pass Trail 132B on the right, then you fork right at the next nearby juncture (opposite Trail 132) on signed Observation Peak Trail 132A for ½ mi SE with wildflowers to the old lookout site. See Mount Hood and perchance the top of Mount Jefferson.

About ¼ mi down from the very top is another short spur on the right to a lesser summit a couple hundred yards N up to mediocre views of Mount Adams and Mount Rainier over rock fins near the top of the ridge. Back on the main trail work NW past the two saddles and intersections up the hill to the Sister Rocks junction. Turn left (SW) ½ mi steeper and narrower up the solid ridge path to the viewpoint, first passing the high point over a bump in the woods, then down briefly to Sister Rocks (marked with a steel pole). The panorama includes Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and much more within Gifford Pinchot National Forest.