Beacon Rock State Park, Washington - 6/23/10
100 miles round trip
Plus a 5 hour hike
Note to Recruiters who think that 63 is "too old" to be productive in the work place:
Kiss my ass.....
February 12, 2011 - Return to Hamilton Mountain
Easy enough to start off...
The access road to the trailhead parking is about directly
across Washington State Route 14 from the Beacon Rock rest area bathrooms.
Do not go up the road that's right at the Beacon Rock Ranger Station...wrong way!
There is tons of parking at the Hamilton Mountain trailhead.
There were a fair number of people here (maybe a dozen cars) by midday, even though it was a weekday.
This is a very well marked trail. No need for a map or a compass here..
The longest four miles I ever walked....
You start seeing nice scenery right off.
That's Bonneville Dam and the Columbia River down below
Sunny day. Got to about 80 degrees by midday
Now I foolishly thought that this was the top of Hamilton mountain.
This is actually Little Hamilton Mountain. The real mountain summit
is out of sight behind that peak. After a LONG hike to the top of that
one, you come to realize you're only 1/2 of the way up!
Pool of Winds. Very refreshing!
Rodney Falls
Beacon Rock
I took the more difficult trail which turned out to be far more scenic
and had many cool breezes at the various lookouts. A lot steeper but worth the effort.
I took the less difficult trail on my return trip and it was MUCH longer with
almost no scenery (deep in the forest) and much hotter. I would recommend going up
and down the more difficult trail
When you get to the top of that peak, known as Little Hamilton Mountain
you are 1/2 of the way up the mountain. You've got one more, VERY steep one
mile hike to the summit
Bonneville Dam and the Town of North Bonneville, Washington
Success!!!! 2 1/2 hour hike. 4 miles my eye...
View from the summit
The view East towards Hood River
Table Mountain. I'll be hiking to that 3,417' summit in September
To the right of Table Mountain is a snow covered Mount Adams off in the distance
This was taken on the way down on the less difficult trail
Deep forest taking the less difficult return trail
Not much picture-worthy scenery
I was never so happy to see Suzy waiting for me at the trailhead
First trip to Fort Stevens
Appleton ride
