![]() If you have a little extra time and don’t mind narrow, winding roads, beautiful forest, and roadside fruit stands, take the Columbia River Highway. There are two ways to reach the Angel’s Rest trailhead from Portland: take I-84 E, then get off at Bridal Veil (exit 28) or take I-84 E, then take the Historic Columbia River Highway (accessible from Troutdale, east). ![]() For those like myself who worried that the fire had wiped out our favorite Gorge spots: don’t. The burn areas look verdant, healthy, and well on their way to recovery. Due in large part to extensive restoration efforts, the trail looks almost exactly as I remember it. It was the first time that I’d hiked in the Gorge post-fire, and I was anxious to see the extent of the damage. Although Angel’s Rest re-opened in November 2018, I didn’t return until May 2019. Then, in 2017, the Eagle Creek Fire forced the closure of a majority of the Gorge’s trails, Angel’s Rest among them. It had been my go-to, showcase hike for visiting friends for years. It’s a mere 40-minute drive from town yet offers varied terrain and incredible views of the Columbia River Gorge. In the twenty years that I’ve lived in Portland, I’ve hiked Angel’s Rest more times than I can count. Kid Friendly: Yes, although it’s likely most suitable for those eight and older Dog Friendly: Yes, provided they’re good with heights and rocks Sit, snack, watch the river, and enjoy a well-deserved rest (you angel, you) before heading back down the path you came up.When: Location: Angel’s Rest, Columbia River Gorge, OR Conditions: Sunny and warm Duration: 2.5 hours Distance: Between 4.5 and 5 miles roundtrip Trail Format: Out-and-back Difficulty: Moderate, with a small scramble at the top. There you’ll find a bench dedicated to Susan Lorraine Hendricks that’s been heavily marked and carved with names and dates. With ample viewpoints along this section, hikers will want to stop or look over their shoulder for a glimpse of the expansive river, but keep an eye on your footing, as the hillside path can sometimes be a little dangerous, especially after heavy rainfall or during strong winds.Ī short trek through plates of flat rock (spot the cairns along the way laid by previous hikers) brings you to the final leg of the hike-a rocky ridge with several viewpoints, though for the Angel’s Rest viewpoint proper, you’ll want to head to the north end of the ridge. As you emerge from the forested section of the hike, the trail becomes a steep climb through uneven paths and loose rocks. But even today, nearly five years after the fire, the scars are still here, with aisles of blackened trees still looming throughout the area.Īltogether, Angel’s Rest presents an elevation gain of about 1,500 feet, but this second portion is truly when it kicks up a notch. Angel’s Rest, one of the more iconic hikes in the Gorge-known for its steep climbs and unparalleled panoramic views of the river-reopened in 2018. It’s also one of the 100 or so trails that had been closed after the Eagle Creek Fire in 2017. This 4.5-mile out-and-back trail just outside of Corbett is one of the many hikes that dot the the western end of the Columbia River Gorge. ![]() With that in mind, February’s hike of the month-much like the month itself-is not very long, is somewhat difficult, and is ultimately incredibly rewarding once it’s over: Angel’s Rest. Take it from this eloquently dry KMOX report from 2016.) In February it’s hard to find the motivation to keep up with those January resolutions, let alone find the will to uncurl yourself from underneath those warm, warm blankets and go on a hike. February is a particularly difficult stride of the 12-month calendar.
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