Hamilton Mtn 14-Jan-2014
Posted: January 15th, 2014, 5:01 pm
Had time yesterday for a quick hike - with a promise of sunshine - so decided on the Hamiltion Mtn classic. Plus Washington had thoughtfully (+$35) just sent me my 2014 Discover Pass, so I needed to start the amortization process. Fog banks on the way out but a hint of clearing once I was away from the TH.
The valley fog made Beacon Rock look like the dorsal fin of some giant creature swimming up the Columbia,
and made the Gorge itself look like it was experiencing a range fire.
Higher up, I caught s glimpse of Hood.
From the summit, the gathering clouds did relent long enough to spare me a good view of Table and Adams.
On the way up, I was discouraged to see several more switchback cuts - that were turning into gullies - damaging the trail. On top it was obvious that someone had stolen the summit sign (again). Last time they just beat it to pieces and then stole the remains.
Kind of ruins it for first-timers/visitors who like a summit sign in their photos. Sigh
I guess I know where part of my Discover Pass fee is going this year. Alas, the high clouds were moving in and that promise of sunshine was proving to be a pack of meteorological falsehoods! Time and the weather were now conspiring to shorten the hike but I did want to see the famous Hamilton cabin first. So down the road and on toward the Equestrian TH, stopping to try close-ups with a new camera (still on a learning curve with this one).
After some wet XC, I came up on the cabin (shack?), which didn't look too bad from the back,
but had taken "access to the outdoors" a bit too far in the front.
After that, the fog was back and it was time to call it a hike.
A classic hike (it's in all the guidebooks). Weather could have been less deceitful but great exercise and I finally saw the cabin! Beats working...
The valley fog made Beacon Rock look like the dorsal fin of some giant creature swimming up the Columbia,
and made the Gorge itself look like it was experiencing a range fire.
Higher up, I caught s glimpse of Hood.
From the summit, the gathering clouds did relent long enough to spare me a good view of Table and Adams.
On the way up, I was discouraged to see several more switchback cuts - that were turning into gullies - damaging the trail. On top it was obvious that someone had stolen the summit sign (again). Last time they just beat it to pieces and then stole the remains.
Kind of ruins it for first-timers/visitors who like a summit sign in their photos. Sigh
I guess I know where part of my Discover Pass fee is going this year. Alas, the high clouds were moving in and that promise of sunshine was proving to be a pack of meteorological falsehoods! Time and the weather were now conspiring to shorten the hike but I did want to see the famous Hamilton cabin first. So down the road and on toward the Equestrian TH, stopping to try close-ups with a new camera (still on a learning curve with this one).After some wet XC, I came up on the cabin (shack?), which didn't look too bad from the back,
but had taken "access to the outdoors" a bit too far in the front.
After that, the fog was back and it was time to call it a hike.
A classic hike (it's in all the guidebooks). Weather could have been less deceitful but great exercise and I finally saw the cabin! Beats working...
I realized this past weekend that my Discovery Pass is good for a couple more months, and I think I might hit Hamilton soon. Still trying to get my trail legs back after taking some time away.