Sunday is usually a day for slow rising and coffee in the garden if the weather permits, but this morning we were up by seven, eating oatmeal and fruit and packing a lunch for a long day of hiking. As I was making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and drinking coffee, I had this faint notion of simply going back to bed and getting more sleep. It was not to be. By eight we were on the highway out to the Columbia Gorge for our planned training hike.
The hike was MT Defiance, and it is known for its strenuous ascent. In fact, most of the mountain climbers in the area use it as one of the premiere hikes for training for MT Hood and other major peaks. It is one bad, mean hike, and if you are not ready mentally, then it is best not to even go. By the time we reached the trail head, we had driven 50 miles East from Portland along the Columbia River, a beautiful drive from the city. We put our day packs on, and we were ready for the challenge.
About an hour into the hike you reach a spot that has the most breathtaking view of the Columbia River. We are on the Oregon side, of course, and the state of Washington is just across the river often boasting views along the trail of MT St Helens as well as MT Jefferson.
I shot a photo of my husband as he was heading up the trail. There are parts that are extremely steep, and the terrain changes sometimes to such a degree that you wonder if you are on the same trail.
Some of it is volcanic rock where you have to work your way across very carefully as it is very easy to take a misstep and twist an ankle. It is not my favorite part, but many mountains in Oregon are volcanic, so it is part of the terrain on many hikes in the area.
Flowers in bloom.
A beautiful lake we passed on our way to the top.
We made it to the top! MT Hood is in the background and we ate our humble peanut butter and jelly sandwiches amidst this setting.
We gave one solitary chipmunk some nuts to savor as we ate our lunch.
When you reach the waterfall, you know you are almost down at the bottom. It took us four and a half hours to get to the top (4,960 ft.), three hours to get down with a total of fifteen miles round trip. We are very sore, but feel energized by the day and our accomplishment. More training to come. We start our climb to MT Whitney on September 7th with four days to finish. This will be a two aspirin night!
Oh that’s beautiful!
The photos are wonderful. You look like you are in tremendous shape. Climb Mt whitney? not in my dreams. I guess I would have to really build up to it.
Wow, that is so impressive. Mt Whitney!
You look fantastic!
fantastic views!! and good for you for doing this!
No wonder you are so slim and beautiful, now I know your secret! Thanks for sharing such a breath-taking hike, with such beautiful views and scenary. I don’t believe in God, but such wonderful landscapes make me understand why our ancestors saw the need to deify Mother Nature.
I can just imagine how good those peanut butter and jelly sandwiches tasted. Nothing like a good walk to sharpen the mind and the appetite. And what stunning views too. It’s a lovely part of the world-thanks so much for posting about it.