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Difference between revisions of "Rooster Rock Loop Hike"

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

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[[Category:All Season Hikes]]
 
[[Category:All Season Hikes]]
 
[[Category:Hikes]]
 
[[Category:Hikes]]
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[[Image:Sample.JPG|thumb|400px|Describe destination image here]]
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[[Image:EastRR1.JPG|thumb|400px|Looking east up the gorge from the East Rooster Rock Viewpoint ''(Steve Hart)'']]
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[[Image:SandIsland1.JPG|thumb|250px|Sand Island ''(Steve Hart)'']]
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[[Image:RoosterRockTrail1.JPG|thumb|250px|Through the grasslands ''(Steve Hart)'']]
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[[Image:RoosterRockJct1.JPG|thumb|250px|This is the junction where you'll need to head up the hill ''(Steve Hart)'']]
  
 
{{Start point|Rooster Rock Trailhead}}
 
{{Start point|Rooster Rock Trailhead}}
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* Trail Log : [[Rooster Rock Loop Hike/Log|Trail Log]]
 
* Trail Log : [[Rooster Rock Loop Hike/Log|Trail Log]]
 
* Hike Type: Loop
 
* Hike Type: Loop
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{{Distance|3.0 miles}}
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{{Distance|2.7 miles}}
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{{Elevation gain|0 feet}}
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{{Elevation gain|100 feet}}
 
{{Difficulty|Easy}}
 
{{Difficulty|Easy}}
 
* Seasons: Year round
 
* Seasons: Year round
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=== Hike Description ===
 
=== Hike Description ===
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This hike begins at the far east end of the Rooster Rock Park parking lot. For this hike you want the trail to the right. The trail heads basically straight east to a river viewpoint at 1 and a half miles in. Then the trail loops around closer to the noisy freeway and head back west. Eventually, you'll come out at picnic site A1. Turn right and walk the parking lot 0.2 miles back to your car.
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There are a number of different trails in the east end of Rooster Rock State Park and they often intersect. This trek samples the best of the area.
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 +
''Note: There is a beach near here that is designated as a clothing optional beach. The area is clearly defined legally, but communicated poorly through blurry copies of maps. I believe this hike is all outside of the clothing optional area, but the lines are a bit blurred. In reality, this is best done as an off-season hike when nudity is rather rare.''
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For this hike, drive to the eastern end of the main parking area. This hike starts at a cement pad about 50 feet south of the restrooms. A sign here lists out a nine-hole golf course through the trees. What kind of a golf course starts at a concrete slab and heads through the trees? Why frisbee golf, of course! If you're hiking this in the recommended winter months, you won't see many frisbee golfers. In summer months, you might occasionally want to duck.
 +
 
 +
Head across the grassy area to the wooden remains of a small sign on the north (left) side of the lawn. The newer sign on the right side marks your return trail. ''Note: The larger, more improved trail that immediately heads down the hill is the trail to the clothing optional beach.'' Soon after entering the woods, you'll come to an odd pole with a basket and some chain on it. This is a "hole" for the frisbee golf course. Head east along the best trail you can find. The informal trails here are braided and interwoven, but the way is always clear. Stay close to the dropoff on the left, but avoid any of the steep use paths heading down the hill.
 +
 
 +
After about 3/4 mile the path drops down and joins the water level path. Continue east through a grassy meadow for about another 1/4 mile to the [[Sand Island Viewpoint]]. From here you can look across a narrow channel of the Columbia River to Sand Island. Wildlife is common here including many kinds of migratory waterfowl, herons, bald eagles, deer and even sea lions. Follow the fading path farther east along the shore for another 1/4 mile or so. There are also great views to the east including [[Angel's Rest]], [[Hamilton Mountain]] and the [[Columbia River Gorge]].
 +
 
 +
When you come to a crumbling, sandy bank, head up the hill to the right. You should find yourself in a large natural meadow. The freeway will be visible (and unfortunately audible). You'll be able to pick out a faint path working its way up the hill to the west. As you climb this hill, the views back over your shoulder get better and better. At the top of the hill take some time to look back up the Gorge. With the extra elevation, the top of [[Beacon Rock]] can be seen peaking over a ridge on the Oregon side.
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This description continues west, completing a loop back to the parking area. Many hikers prefer loops, but honestly this side of the loop doesn't compare to the approach. You may want to return the way you came.
 +
 
 +
If you choose to complete the loop, continue west along the ridge crest. The trail works it's way up and down, passing several large, fern-laden maples along the way. This is a mostly deciduous forest and in the winter it's pretty open with views down the hill to the freeway. At one point you'll be within a few feet of a paralleling trail but stay on the trail you've been following for a bit farther. There's a section of forest near the highest point that is completely carpeted in Horsetail Ferns so thick the ground seems to have vanished. The trail through this section is very well maintained and looks like a very narrow road. When you come to an obvious trail fork on the side of a hill, go uphill to the right. At the crest is another concrete frisbee golf tee and you can look down the hill at the basket. From the tee head west (left) on the main trail and soon you'll be back to your car.
  
 
=== Maps ===
 
=== Maps ===
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=== Fees, Regulations, etc. ===
 
=== Fees, Regulations, etc. ===
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*$3.00 fee to enter Rooster Rock State Park
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* $3.00 fee to enter Rooster Rock State Park
  
 
{{TripReports|{{PAGENAME}}}}
 
{{TripReports|{{PAGENAME}}}}

Revision as of 16:42, 4 March 2008

Looking east up the gorge from the East Rooster Rock Viewpoint (Steve Hart)
Sand Island (Steve Hart)
Through the grasslands (Steve Hart)
This is the junction where you'll need to head up the hill (Steve Hart)
  • Start point: Rooster Rock TrailheadRoad.JPG
  • End Point: Rooster Rock Trailhead
  • Trail Log : Trail Log
  • Hike Type: Loop
  • Distance: 2.7 miles
  • Elevation gain: 100 feet
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Seasons: Year round
  • Family Friendly: Yes, although trail is near nude beach
  • Backpackable: No
  • Crowded: No

Contents

Hike Description

There are a number of different trails in the east end of Rooster Rock State Park and they often intersect. This trek samples the best of the area.

Note: There is a beach near here that is designated as a clothing optional beach. The area is clearly defined legally, but communicated poorly through blurry copies of maps. I believe this hike is all outside of the clothing optional area, but the lines are a bit blurred. In reality, this is best done as an off-season hike when nudity is rather rare.

For this hike, drive to the eastern end of the main parking area. This hike starts at a cement pad about 50 feet south of the restrooms. A sign here lists out a nine-hole golf course through the trees. What kind of a golf course starts at a concrete slab and heads through the trees? Why frisbee golf, of course! If you're hiking this in the recommended winter months, you won't see many frisbee golfers. In summer months, you might occasionally want to duck.

Head across the grassy area to the wooden remains of a small sign on the north (left) side of the lawn. The newer sign on the right side marks your return trail. Note: The larger, more improved trail that immediately heads down the hill is the trail to the clothing optional beach. Soon after entering the woods, you'll come to an odd pole with a basket and some chain on it. This is a "hole" for the frisbee golf course. Head east along the best trail you can find. The informal trails here are braided and interwoven, but the way is always clear. Stay close to the dropoff on the left, but avoid any of the steep use paths heading down the hill.

After about 3/4 mile the path drops down and joins the water level path. Continue east through a grassy meadow for about another 1/4 mile to the Sand Island Viewpoint. From here you can look across a narrow channel of the Columbia River to Sand Island. Wildlife is common here including many kinds of migratory waterfowl, herons, bald eagles, deer and even sea lions. Follow the fading path farther east along the shore for another 1/4 mile or so. There are also great views to the east including Angel's Rest, Hamilton Mountain and the Columbia River Gorge.

When you come to a crumbling, sandy bank, head up the hill to the right. You should find yourself in a large natural meadow. The freeway will be visible (and unfortunately audible). You'll be able to pick out a faint path working its way up the hill to the west. As you climb this hill, the views back over your shoulder get better and better. At the top of the hill take some time to look back up the Gorge. With the extra elevation, the top of Beacon Rock can be seen peaking over a ridge on the Oregon side.

This description continues west, completing a loop back to the parking area. Many hikers prefer loops, but honestly this side of the loop doesn't compare to the approach. You may want to return the way you came.

If you choose to complete the loop, continue west along the ridge crest. The trail works it's way up and down, passing several large, fern-laden maples along the way. This is a mostly deciduous forest and in the winter it's pretty open with views down the hill to the freeway. At one point you'll be within a few feet of a paralleling trail but stay on the trail you've been following for a bit farther. There's a section of forest near the highest point that is completely carpeted in Horsetail Ferns so thick the ground seems to have vanished. The trail through this section is very well maintained and looks like a very narrow road. When you come to an obvious trail fork on the side of a hill, go uphill to the right. At the crest is another concrete frisbee golf tee and you can look down the hill at the basket. From the tee head west (left) on the main trail and soon you'll be back to your car.

Maps

Fees, Regulations, etc.

  • $3.00 fee to enter Rooster Rock State Park

Trip Reports

  • (Click here to add your own)

Related Discussions / Q&A

Guidebooks that cover this hike

  • Day Hike! Columbia Gorge, by Seabury Blair, Jr.
  • Afoot and Afield Portland/Vancouver, by Douglas Lorain
  • 35 Hiking Trails, Columbia River Gorge, by Don & Roberta Lowe
  • Columbia River Gorge, 42 Scenic Hikes, by Don & Roberta Lowe
  • Hiking the Columbia River Gorge - 1st and 2nd Editions, by Russ Schneider
  • 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon - 3rd Edition, by William L Sullivan

More Links

Contributors

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