), I needed a hike (and possibly a hug too). The original plan was for a loop hike over Cedar Mtn starting from Bonneville Hot Springs. I was fortunate that today was a bluebird day in the Gorge.
After reaching Carpenters Lake via the Dick Thomas trail, I took the Two Chiefs trail,
to its junction with the PCT and then took the PCT toward Table. Enroute I passed through a band of fog that was rapidly dissipating in the morning light.
I reached the Cedar Mtn use trail, and started down it, but then got to thinking that such a nice day really deserved a view rather than a walk in the woods. So I decided to do Table via its NW ridge (the Cedar Mtn loop would have to wait for a cloudy day or for more snow higher up). As I headed N on the PCT, I thought (way too much thinking on this hike) that it would be interesting to see if you could go directly up (E) from the PCT to the top of the NW ridge - thus avoiding having to hike under the power lines and then back along the brushy ridge. So at the 2400' level of the PCT, I turned right and started climbing.
At 2800', I came to the first cliffs, and worked to the left to get above them. There are some "caves" at the base of these.
I eventually worked into a drainage that let me get past two more cliffs so I could traverse back on a mossy slope to reach the use trail on the ridge ("T" is the approximate location of the PCT).
So, yes, you can climb directly from the PCT to Table's NW ridge, dodging cliffs and thrashing through some nasty brush along the way. Was this fun - yes; would I do it again - not anytime soon. Of course, once I reached the ridge, the views kicked in and all was forgiven. There were clouds jammed up behind Dog,
while Rainier, Greenleaf (foreground), and Adams were prominent in the cold, clear air,
as were Birkenfeld and St. Helens,
and, of course, Hood.
I could also see the Silver Star "range" where a loony hike was in progress or at least progressing.
I got off Table via the W ridge, with my knees feeling every loose rock. Once back on the PCT, I enjoyed a bit more sunshine,
before taking the PCT back to the Aldrich Butte Road, which I followed until I could take the old cut-off trail to the gas line right-of-way road (under the BPA lines), and that back to the TH. Another great day on the sunny side of the Gorge.
11 mi RT, 3700' EG.
