Nestor Peak 22-Apr-09
Posted: April 23rd, 2009, 7:32 am
With this year's persistent snow level, I was looking for a hike (a) I hadn't done before (b) was snow-free and (c) had a view. Looking through the hiking guides, I found Nestor Peak which is on the Washington side just across from Hood River (in fact you can see Hood River from its summit). Views were promised. And, for the botany crowd, its one place where you can find east Gorge Ponderosas mixing with west Gorge dogwoods.
There are about 2-3 miles of gravel/dirt driving to get there but, despite a mild warning in the guidebook about rough roads, it was no problem for my low-slung compact car. The trail to Nestor Peak is actually called the Buck Creek trail (going downhill takes you to a nice waterfall, going uphill takes you to Nestor). The route to the peak includes some logging roads, but is mostly trail which is pretty well maintained and very well marked. This is the drier side of the gorge but there were a few orchids along the trail. After alternating between trail and road for about 2 miles, the route becomes all trail and starts climbing. Soon the promised views started to happen. Hood was particularly prominant. There is a large metal comm shack on the summit - one door had been kicked open but the other was locked. It made a nice wind break for lunch. The day started out sunny and mild but by the time I reached the summit, clouds were rolling in past Defiance to the southwest and shrouding Adams to the northeast There were a few very minor snowpatches on the upper part of the trail but otherwise it was clear. Overall, a very good short (8 mi, 2100') hike in a botanically interesting area culminating in great views and a nice lunch spot.
There are about 2-3 miles of gravel/dirt driving to get there but, despite a mild warning in the guidebook about rough roads, it was no problem for my low-slung compact car. The trail to Nestor Peak is actually called the Buck Creek trail (going downhill takes you to a nice waterfall, going uphill takes you to Nestor). The route to the peak includes some logging roads, but is mostly trail which is pretty well maintained and very well marked. This is the drier side of the gorge but there were a few orchids along the trail. After alternating between trail and road for about 2 miles, the route becomes all trail and starts climbing. Soon the promised views started to happen. Hood was particularly prominant. There is a large metal comm shack on the summit - one door had been kicked open but the other was locked. It made a nice wind break for lunch. The day started out sunny and mild but by the time I reached the summit, clouds were rolling in past Defiance to the southwest and shrouding Adams to the northeast There were a few very minor snowpatches on the upper part of the trail but otherwise it was clear. Overall, a very good short (8 mi, 2100') hike in a botanically interesting area culminating in great views and a nice lunch spot.