Table Mtn 29-Nov-2011
Posted: November 29th, 2011, 7:21 pm
I start a new job in mid-December (so no more days off mid-week for bluebird weather ) but my old job graciously allowed me to use up some of the vacation time for which I would not otherwise get compensated (after 15 years, I guess they felt they owed me a little something). Using these unexpected days off for hiking seemed like a great idea, particularly since the weather is being unusually cooperative for Nov/Dec. Today’s effort was Table Mountain from Bonneville Hot Springs. Outside of Portland, the skies were clear and blue early on.
But by the time I’d gotten half way up Table’s east ridge, clouds were pushing up against the summit,
and infiltrating the valleys below. Hood was sporting quite a lenticular cloud.
From the PCT, I went up the Heartbreak trail to the saddle at 2600', then went straight up from there toward the summit, hugging the E edge of Table’s upper slopes. This gave me a lot more views then I would have gotten wandering through the forest and schlepping up the boulder field on the “new” trail. From the top of Table, I could see Hood to the S,
Wind, Dog, Augspurger, and Defiance to the E, and,
to the W, Hamilton with a garland of low clouds and, in the distance, Portland under a blanket of clouds that topped out at about 2000’.
There was a little snow on part of the top – and a lot more on Table’s N side, but none on any of the trails on the S side. I descended the W ridge to the PCT and back into the valley clouds – which provided some eerie moments down in the trees.
This hike wasn’t just about big views – I found this little 1” long fern growing in the rock pile where the W ridge trail joins the PCT.
Then it was back to the TH, my car, and home. Classic Gorge hike, pretty nice day. 8 mi RT, 3400’ EG.
But by the time I’d gotten half way up Table’s east ridge, clouds were pushing up against the summit,
and infiltrating the valleys below. Hood was sporting quite a lenticular cloud.
From the PCT, I went up the Heartbreak trail to the saddle at 2600', then went straight up from there toward the summit, hugging the E edge of Table’s upper slopes. This gave me a lot more views then I would have gotten wandering through the forest and schlepping up the boulder field on the “new” trail. From the top of Table, I could see Hood to the S,
Wind, Dog, Augspurger, and Defiance to the E, and,
to the W, Hamilton with a garland of low clouds and, in the distance, Portland under a blanket of clouds that topped out at about 2000’.
There was a little snow on part of the top – and a lot more on Table’s N side, but none on any of the trails on the S side. I descended the W ridge to the PCT and back into the valley clouds – which provided some eerie moments down in the trees.
This hike wasn’t just about big views – I found this little 1” long fern growing in the rock pile where the W ridge trail joins the PCT.
Then it was back to the TH, my car, and home. Classic Gorge hike, pretty nice day. 8 mi RT, 3400’ EG.