'Twas the Hike Before Christmas 🎄- Angel's Rest (Wahkeena loop is closed)
Details
Photo of Chatchay & me (Credit: Chatchay) is from a previous yuletide hike. Chatchay sightings are not guaranteed.
LOCATION CHANGE: We will hike Angel's Rest instead of Wahkeena Falls loop or Ornament Trail, due to trail closures from storm damage.
For those of us with afternoon plans for Christmas Eve, I bring glad tidings: This is a short one! Let's make time for hiking before family gatherings, church services, etc. This short, classic route features a variety of terrain, a waterfall, and a spectacular weather-dependent Gorge viewpoint at the summit!
- Difficulty: Easy (assuming you’re already a hiker, and like a peppy pace); That said, it's still a workout. Light scrambling with hands and feet is required to reach the summit.
- Hiking distance: 4.6 mile loop
- Elevation gain: 1500 feet
- Total hiking time: 2-3 hours (depending on group pace and photo breaks); I recommend arriving a bit early, as both parking lots fill up quickly
- Total driving distance: 46 miles RT from Portland; Feel free to self-organize a carpool from Gateway Transit Center at 8:15 or 8:30, if you wish
- Dogs: Yes, if they are in good shape and can maintain a hiker pace
- The Plan:
We'll hike up, we'll hike down. Though this will be a workout-paced hike, we will absolutely be stopping for photos of creeks, waterfalls, and of course, viewpoints!
My usual hiking style is fairly brisk (2.5--3.5 mph when I’m not running), but this is a casual hike. I welcome trekkers of all reasonable hiking speeds. A good pace would be great, but I don’t want anyone to feel rushed. We will enjoy short breaks as needed for snacks, photos, and viewpoints. There is no such thing as too many photo opps.
- Bring: Plenty of water, food/snacks, warm layers of non-cotton clothing including rain gear, a camera, and shoes with good traction. Poles could be useful.
Though this is less rustic than the typical NW Wilderness event, it is recommended that hikers always carry the, um, "ELEVEN" Essentials:
- Navigation (map, compass, and an awareness of our route)
- Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
- Insulation (extra clothing)
- Illumination (headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries)
- First-aid supplies
- Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
- Knife/tools
- Nutrition (extra food)
- Hydration (extra water)
- Emergency whistle and general preparedness in the event that you become separated from our group and/or have to spend the night in the wild.
- Zuzu's petals
PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK; Northwest Wilderness Group organizers are volunteers. We come prepared to lead you on a trail or off trail hike but assume no liability for your safety getting to or from the trail-head or on the hike. In case of accident, illness, or other incapacity, hikers must pay for their own medical and/or evacuation expenses, whether or not the hiker has specifically authorized them.