Trapper Creek/Observation Peak 03-Nov-09
Posted: November 7th, 2009, 8:21 am
Last Tuesday, I took the opportunity to hike the Trapper Creek trail to Observation Peak. That day it was clear and crisp but sunny – near perfect hiking weather. I don’t mind the extra 1.8 mi RT involved in starting at the lower “equestrian” trailhead off Forest Road 5401 as there is plenty of parking and you avoid having to wander past people’s cabins. From there it’s a fairly level tread over to Hidden Creek (where the creek running over flat exposed strata always reminds me of Utah’s slickrock country).
Fall colors were still in evidence but they had lost most of their luster.
After a bit more level travel, I crossed Trapper Creek
on a its rustic but solid bridge.
From there steeper and more protracted climbing ensued which was relieved some by a good view of the waterfall that seems to emerge without prelude from the amazingly steep west face of Observation Peak.
The climbing ended abruptly at about 3200’ and was followed by a gently rising stroll up the slopes to the ridge between Observation Peak and Sisters Rocks. Although the wind was howling along I-84, up here nothing disturbed the calm of upper Trapper Creek.
I like this hike because it provides a nice mix of hiking in valleys and big views. When I got to Observation Peak, all of the major peaks burst into view.
St Helens
Rainier (which seemed so clear and close I almost mistook it for Adams)
Adams
Hood (with Jefferson a faint dimple on the far horizon to the right)
The other nice thing about this hike is that, after a fairly stiff climb up, the Observation Peak trail offers a steady, but not too steep (and therefore knee-preserving) way right back to the trailhead. On the way back, what with the muted, fading Fall colors and diffuse light of late Fall all around me, I realized that this was this year’s “last gasp of summer” hike.
Since then, the weather has turned and Observation Peak, at over 4000’, is probably getting its first serious permanent snow of the season.
Fall colors were still in evidence but they had lost most of their luster.
After a bit more level travel, I crossed Trapper Creek
on a its rustic but solid bridge.
From there steeper and more protracted climbing ensued which was relieved some by a good view of the waterfall that seems to emerge without prelude from the amazingly steep west face of Observation Peak.
The climbing ended abruptly at about 3200’ and was followed by a gently rising stroll up the slopes to the ridge between Observation Peak and Sisters Rocks. Although the wind was howling along I-84, up here nothing disturbed the calm of upper Trapper Creek.
I like this hike because it provides a nice mix of hiking in valleys and big views. When I got to Observation Peak, all of the major peaks burst into view.
St Helens
Rainier (which seemed so clear and close I almost mistook it for Adams)
Adams
Hood (with Jefferson a faint dimple on the far horizon to the right)
The other nice thing about this hike is that, after a fairly stiff climb up, the Observation Peak trail offers a steady, but not too steep (and therefore knee-preserving) way right back to the trailhead. On the way back, what with the muted, fading Fall colors and diffuse light of late Fall all around me, I realized that this was this year’s “last gasp of summer” hike.
Since then, the weather has turned and Observation Peak, at over 4000’, is probably getting its first serious permanent snow of the season.