But, I had seminar to attend at the Skamania Lodge, with paid mileage. 1:00pm, with a buffet … how could I say no? And, the rain wasn't really supposed to arrive until the evening. And I still had several minor peaks in the Rock Creek drainage to summit. So close …. and with paid mileage to Stevenson …. and a buffet!
So, after spending some time on the maps, finally decided that realistically the only one I should go for should be Birkenfeld Mtn. That's the big unnamed bump on the ridge immediately N of Table Mtn, that nobody seems to know the name of (except of course Don Nelson) and the PCT contours around on its way up near Three Corner Rock. Wasn't sure how far up the road I could get in the old 2WD Toyota, with it being so wet, but worth a try.
So managed to leave Vancouver around 7:30, which is pretty good for me. Drove out Hwy 14 to the Stevenson Museum, and worked my way up the hill, until the pavement ends and the signs says CG2000, then in just under a mile made the left turn onto the smaller CG2020. Now, on my scale of roads, this road isn't so bad. Would rather drive this little road than the 41 Rd up from Sunset Falls, but it is a rough road, no Mini-Coopers here! After a couple of miles of 1st & 2nd gear, finally came to the odd 5 way intersection, which is where I had planned to park. Looked at my watch. It had taken longer than planned to get to this point. Do I dare continue driving on up the road??? Had hiked it 2 years ago, and remembered it as steep. Oh well, decided to see how it went, could always back down. So, more 1st gear crawling, and no real problems. Got narrow & really wet. This is not a road to drive if you worry about your paint. (But no washboard sections!)
Rugged Greenleaf Peak, with the gorge vanishing in the east!
A selfie with Tomlike Mtn in the background!!
Turns out this buffet came in a brown bag. It was still good.
My walk was only about 1 1/4 miles, 530 ft.
If one was to park at the 5 way intersection, would add about 3 miles & 700 ft.
