Rambling Around Ives & Pierce Islands - 2015/09/07

[Guy]

Opening Pic

Chiyoko & I spent a very pleasant Labor Day walking around Ives & Pierce Islands in the Columbia River. We set out with only the intention of going to see the old Fish Wheel remains on Ives Island. Peder tipped me off a couple of years ago that you could walk out to the Island at this time of year when the water levels are low.

We set off from the end of the road on Hamilton Island which you get to by turning off Washington HWY 14 into the Bonnevile Dam complex.
There are also a few trails around the Hamilton Island area but the main draw here is fishing and the fishermen where out in force today!

After a short walk West on the official trail we soon walked down onto the riverbank then across the rocks to Ives Island





We soon found ourselves at the remains of the old Ives Island fish wheel, there's not a lot left





We continued heading West along the South side of the Island, found this old railroad spike that somehow found it's way here.



As we rounded the West end of Ives Island we could see that while there was still water running between Ives & Pierce it wasn't very deep so we splashed our way across.


The straights of Ives & Pierce Islands.

Once on Pierce we stopped for a bite top eat & to dry our feet!


Looking back over to Ives Island.



We then began our walk around Pierce taking the North Shore First.




If you look closely you can see folks on the Beacon Rock Trail.

We then rounded the West end of the island




Rounding the West Cape of Pierce Island





We then made our way round to the South Shore and began heading East. Anyone know what these old pilings were for?







Looking West..



Hey Don, what's this?



Heading East...



Some folks up on Munra...



Soon it was time to make the dangerous crossing from Pierce back to Ives





Walking back on the North side of Ives.



This guy was fishing....



Back on the mainland we were feeling a little guilty having not climbed above 100' on the whole hike so we thought that we better tag the summit of Hamilton Island before Heading to Cascade Locks for ice cream




Chiyoko sitting around!



All told the hike came in at a tad over 7 miles & a whopping 469'

Here's a Map of us walking on water...





Just one final mission before we headed for home.....



This was a really fun little hike that we would definitely do again. A few more pics of the day here.

[Don Nelsen]

OMG, what a unique adventure! I always knew Chiyoko could walk on water and nice to see you can too

I don't know what that old piece of iron might have been part of, though. Maybe a closer inspection would yield a clue.

Thanks for great TR.

dn

[Guy]

Don this little loop is right up your street. There were a few other "artifacts" washed up on the shore. Not to mention we didn't "venture into the interior" I'm betting you could spend a fun day out there....

[Peder]

Nice! Pierce Island has been added to the ever growing list of hikes to do.

[sprengers4jc]

This is awesome, Guy. Lovely photos and a really unique adventure. it would never have occurred to me to walk across to these islands, or that it was even possible but now I must do it since I know. Thanks!

[Charley]

Neat! If you like that, you might try walking around the western shore of Hayden Island. It's not as wild, but it's close and it's diverting for a few hours.

[Peder]

Chiyoko sitting around!

May I ask why Chiyoko (a famed elite hiker) is not sitting on the fourth bench?

[viking]

My bet would be a pump. Cattle have been run on many of those islands and it could have been used to deliver water to fenced off areas island center or some other ag use.

[rainrunner]

Nice trip report and pictures.
We liked the one of Chiyoko on the benches.

[Guy]

Thanks folks!

@Peder, Chiyoko thought it would be showing off to sit on the 4th bench too