coach Member
Joined: 22 Feb 2009 Posts: 127 | TRs | Pics Location: Lost in the mountains |
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coach
Member
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Sun Mar 14, 2010 5:21 pm
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After perusing Dayhiking the South Cascades, I selected Hamilton Mountain as an excellent hike for what would turn out to be an excellent day for hiking. Starting from the trailhead we quickly climbed up the south side of the mountain to an overlook where we had a commanding view of the Bonneville Dam and Beacon Rock. Along the way we passed many nondescript ferns, moss coated alders, and flowing waterfalls that pepper our Gorge.
3.14.2010 Hamilton Mountain 001.JPG 3.14.2010 Hamilton Mountain 005.JPG
Looking down on the Bonneville Dam we could see the souls of our beloved salmon ascending to heaven after being massacred by sea lions and running into the cement barricade. All so that some shirtless guy in So Cal could run his AC and cool his house down to 50 F. May they rest in peace...
Bonneville Damn!
After pressing on to the summit we found another hardly soul hunkered down on the leeward side of the summit to avoid the blasting wind. There was approximately 4 inches of packed crusty snow at the top.
3.14.2010 Hamilton Mountain 012.JPG
The summit gave us a commanding view of Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood.
Table Mountain and Pahtoe. Wy'East!
We returned to the parking lot by continuing north to a saddle and then back to the trailhead via the Hardy Creek Trail.
Excellent hike with quintessential PNW views of waterfalls, fir trees, and snow capped volcanoes. Not very exciting.
I am being facetious
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