Warrior Rock 13-Feb-2014
Posted: February 13th, 2014, 4:58 pm
A day off coinciding with a break in the weather - miracles! Hiking possibilities were swirling around in my head like stuffed olives in a dry martini when the cruel hand of fate intervened and slammed the door on I-84. Fortunately, no one got hurt in the rock fall but now what? After some caffeine and labored thinking, it occurred to me that I hadn't hiked out to Warrior Rock in 10+ years [second choice was Silver Falls but I see that pdxgene was already there]. Sauvie Island parking permits had gone up to $7/d in the intervening years but there was plenty of parking,
and it was a moderately clear, calm, and not too cold day on the water.
There's basically an old road from the TH all the way out to Warrior Point, but part of it is being worked on, so I was diverted to the beach for awhile.
This wasn't going to be any kind of heroic, XC, "last Clif bar or death" kind of hiking adventure, so there was time to go all abstract with the camera,
and just keep wandering up the strand line toward the Warrior Rock lighthouse (arrow).
This is one tough bush...
The clouds were broken up enough to provide scenic character (and sunbreaks) and the Columbia was low enough a show a few sand bars.
After a short stroll on the beach, you're directed back to the road,
which runs through some seriously muddy stretches,
before coming to the little lighthouse that guards the channel.
The beach here is a study in abstractions.
The old road continues N past the lighthouse to Warrior Point (some guidebooks call this Warrior Rock) for a view of downtown St. Helens across the river.
Another abstraction,
a reminder of a gull,
and then it was time to head back.
A very nice little hike (7.5 mi RT, 0' EG), with photo and birding opportunities all along. As I was driving out, I noticed that there were several cars parked at the "clothing optional" beach S of the TH. It was a pretty pleasant day for mid-February hiking, but it still seemed a little on the chilly side for wandering the beach in your natural attire. Guess it builds character...
and it was a moderately clear, calm, and not too cold day on the water.
There's basically an old road from the TH all the way out to Warrior Point, but part of it is being worked on, so I was diverted to the beach for awhile.
This wasn't going to be any kind of heroic, XC, "last Clif bar or death" kind of hiking adventure, so there was time to go all abstract with the camera,
and just keep wandering up the strand line toward the Warrior Rock lighthouse (arrow).
This is one tough bush...
The clouds were broken up enough to provide scenic character (and sunbreaks) and the Columbia was low enough a show a few sand bars.
After a short stroll on the beach, you're directed back to the road,
which runs through some seriously muddy stretches,
before coming to the little lighthouse that guards the channel.
The beach here is a study in abstractions.
The old road continues N past the lighthouse to Warrior Point (some guidebooks call this Warrior Rock) for a view of downtown St. Helens across the river.
Another abstraction,
a reminder of a gull,
and then it was time to head back.
A very nice little hike (7.5 mi RT, 0' EG), with photo and birding opportunities all along. As I was driving out, I noticed that there were several cars parked at the "clothing optional" beach S of the TH. It was a pretty pleasant day for mid-February hiking, but it still seemed a little on the chilly side for wandering the beach in your natural attire. Guess it builds character...