Today I made full use of the superb weather by making a similar loop: I started from the Coyote Wall trailhead, followed the PH Field Guide instructions to the Labyrinth (Thanks Jerry!) and then went cross country to the Indian Pits. The cross country itinerary requires route finding skills, but there is a faint (game/human) trail the whole way. From the Labyrinth, the route is relatively level between 600’ (Labyrinth end) and 400’ at the Indian Pits end. Looking back towards the Labyrinth:
- Looking back west towards the Labyrinth.
The Labyrinth is about 0.2 miles behind the cliff. There is no indication of the route at this end, other than that there are faint traces along the intuitively easiest route. At the Indian Pit end, there is a small cairn where the route starts.
Along the way, I had the pleasure of coming around a corner and three turkey vultures took off. They then kindly circled above me for photos:
- Turkey Vulture
This whole area is beautiful and currently the flowers are in bloom. The
Field Guide offers 8 hikes in this area, varying from the short barrier free trail below the Catharine Creek Trailhead to longer hikes. Now seems a wonderful time to visit!
- Columbia River
Finally, close to where VanMarmot came across a vineyard, there is also a large pond that seems to hold goldfish! Here are a few of the fish in the pond; it looks like an invasive species to me!
- Goldfish?
Some people are really fit at eighty; thankfully I still have many years to get into shape…