Feelin' the Love at the Labyrinth 1-10-10

[anna in boots]

I've done Catherine Creek so many times, I can find my way to the arch blindfolded and I've been up Coyote Wall so often, the turkey vultures know me by name. The only thing left to do was the Labyrinth. It's been given an ominous name but it's a friendly place.

Unlike the above parks which start in the open and funnel you into gradually narrowing topography, the Labyrinth begins in medias res where the lava cliffs crowd the oaks. Each turn in the trail reveals a new room furnished with sculpted trees, soft carpets of grass, and regal walls of columnar basalt. And what is a room without a water feature?

The busy cataracts of Labyrinth Falls have a lighter timbre than the usual Gorge fare: instead of the thundering bass drum of Multnomah Falls, you get a delightful liquid xylophone. And the water is always glad to see you.

Hike a little higher and the land opens up. Individual oaks are framed like massive Bonsai against the sky.

And the grass is happy to see you, too.

Higher means colder and the ground just oozes with dirt-sicles wherever a drainage suddenly appears on the side of the hill.

From a distance, they seem plain enough, but inside....

It's like Superman's Fortress of Solitude on a ladybug scale.

And the rock was happy to see me.

Higher elevations added snow. Even it was happy! (Or maybe the deer were. It's all good.)

I love the fields above Coyote Wall. Now, a wet savannah; come spring, a pink Grass Widow avalanche.

The cliffs were vultureless but a few Bald Eagles were trying out the air currents that chilly day. My favorite lunch spot for communing with the winged peoples:

From here, you can remember where you parked. Hmm, we were the only vehicle down there this morning....

All in all, a good day! I brought a great mood with me and met a whole pile of happy, friendly, chatty people as I went. Hey, you get what you focus on.

Still feelin' the love of that place.

anna in boots

[romann]

Thanks for great report and pictures, it's one of my favorite places. The other option to hike the Labyrinth is to start at Catherine Creek TH but immediately turn left (west). Maze of trails and abandoned roads and cliffs, very interesting place.

[Jane]

An oft-visited area for me as well, but you captured some sweet little gems, love all the "smiles" and "hearts" that you found, or found you
Thanks for the fun read and pics!

[Waffle Stomper]

Looks like you had a hearty hike. Thanks for sharing the report and the pics.

[yosemite hiker]

Nice, AiB! Looks like a great escape. (Now there's a clasic movie!)

[drm]

This area gets so popular in the spring when the flowers come out, but it seems much more remote now. Just you and the wind - and all those smiling locals.

[AlexanderSupertramp]

Beauty Anna, you need to take me there sometime. I really dig those close up ice pics.

[meana39]

Really cool photos...you make it sound like a magical place...it's now on my list of places to check out! Thanks!

[anna in boots]

Thanks, all. I favor the Washington side of the Gorge in the cool, wet winter. The open topography and paler colors lighten my view and my mood after a week or two of shuffling outside my Portland office to check the rain gauge for the umpteenth time.

anna in waders

PS: On the other hand, my camellia is beginning to bloom again, so hope is on the way.

[Splintercat]

Love those cliff shots, Anna -- especially the second from the last. When I come back, it will be as a raptor... but I'm willing to be a turkey vulture if there's a waiting list for the prime raptor slots.

(witch hazel blooming outside our front window -- spring is near!)

Tom