Chinook Trail thru-hike

About the Chinook Trail: http://chinooktrails.org/

A data book we compiled during our trip: https://docs.google.com/spread...

Important note: we don't know of a safe, legal way to get from Swale Canyon to Maryhill State Park. Our route down Maryhill Loops Road went right through some "no trespassing" signs (we were lucky and got permission from the rancher). The route that takes the unnamed road between Rattlesnake/Dooley Roads and Highway 14 also goes through private property. Taking Highway 97 would be legal, but it is a steep, curvy highway and did not look safe to us. Perhaps one could get to Highway 14 via the Dalles Mountain Road and/or the Columbia Hills State Park? http://www.parks.wa.gov/489/Co...

  • Date:
    2015/06/14 to 2015/06/25
    Car-to-car:
    12 days
    Round-trip distance:
    275 miles
    Trip type:
    hike
    In:
    Southern Washington Cascades, Columbia River Gorge

    • Day 1

  • At Moulton Falls State Park, our trail head.
    At Moulton Falls State Park, our trail head.
  • Inscription at the start of the Bells Mountain Trail.
    Inscription at the start of the Bells Mountain Trail.
  • Fording Rock Creek.
    Fording Rock Creek.
  • We unknowingly crossed Rock Creek at a decommissioned section of the Tarbell Trail. After a short bushwack on fading trail, we found the new, well-maintained trail.
    We unknowingly crossed Rock Creek at a decommissioned section of the Tarbell Trail. After a short bushwack on fading trail, we found the new, well-maintained trail.
  • Our camp at the Tarbell Picnic Area.
    Our camp at the Tarbell Picnic Area.

    • Day 2

  • "Chinook Trail USFS No. 180B"
    "Chinook Trail USFS No. 180B"
  • Looking east to the Bluff Mountain Trail from the summit of Silver Star.
    Looking east to the Bluff Mountain Trail from the summit of Silver Star.
  • On the summit of Silver Star Mountain.
    On the summit of Silver Star Mountain.
  • Little Baldy Mountain in the distance.
    Little Baldy Mountain in the distance.
  • Road 502
    Road 502
  • We are on the PCT!
    We are on the PCT!

    • Day 3

  • Our camp at Trout Creek.
    Our camp at Trout Creek.
  • In the Wind River Experimental Forest.
    In the Wind River Experimental Forest.
  • A fellow Chinook Trail thru-hiker?
    A fellow Chinook Trail thru-hiker?
  • On Grassy Knoll.
    On Grassy Knoll.
  • Road 68
    Road 68
  • Moss Creek Campground, our home for the night.
    Moss Creek Campground, our home for the night.

    • Day 4

  • Raspberries. Yum!
    Raspberries. Yum!
  • The Buck Creek Trail.
    The Buck Creek Trail.
  • Mount Adams from the summit of Nestor Peak.
    Mount Adams from the summit of Nestor Peak.
  • Our first poison oak sighting, on the Buck Creek Trail.
    Our first poison oak sighting, on the Buck Creek Trail.
  • It is hot! Chrome Dome Umbrella to the rescue.
    It is hot! Chrome Dome Umbrella to the rescue.
  • Taking a rest in Northwestern Park by the White Salmon River.
    Taking a rest in Northwestern Park by the White Salmon River.
  • Walking north on Highway 141.
    Walking north on Highway 141.
  • On the Weldon Wagon Trail.
    On the Weldon Wagon Trail.
  • On Bates Road.
    On Bates Road.
  • On a road in the upper part of the Hospital Hill road/trail complex.
    On a road in the upper part of the Hospital Hill road/trail complex.
  • Near the bottom of Hospital Hill.
    Near the bottom of Hospital Hill.
  • We stayed at The Inn of the White Salmon, a very pleasant place to spend the night.
    We stayed at The Inn of the White Salmon, a very pleasant place to spend the night.

    • Day 5

  • Resupplying on food.
    Resupplying on food.
  • Packing up the food resupply.
    Packing up the food resupply.
  • On the south slope of Burdoin Mountain.
    On the south slope of Burdoin Mountain.
  • Looking out at the Columbia River from the Coyote Wall area.
    Looking out at the Columbia River from the Coyote Wall area.
  • The friendliest "No Trespassing" sign ever.
    The friendliest "No Trespassing" sign ever.
  • Looking down on Rowland Lake and the Columbia River from the Coyote Wall area.
    Looking down on Rowland Lake and the Columbia River from the Coyote Wall area.
  • On Old Highway 8.
    On Old Highway 8.
  • Taking a break in the Old Lyle Elementary School yard.
    Taking a break in the Old Lyle Elementary School yard.
  • A ripe blackberry. Yum!
    A ripe blackberry. Yum!
  • Our camp in a county park next to the Klickitat River, less than a mile from the Lyle Trailhead.
    Our camp in a county park next to the Klickitat River, less than a mile from the Lyle Trailhead.

    • Day 6

  • Thimbleberry. Yum!
    Thimbleberry. Yum!
  • Hiking on the Klickitat Trail along the Klickitat River.
    Hiking on the Klickitat Trail along the Klickitat River.
  • We got some snacks at the friendly Canyon Market in Klickitat.
    We got some snacks at the friendly Canyon Market in Klickitat.
  • The Klickitat Ice Plant, which is now a bird sanctuary for Chimney Swifts.
    The Klickitat Ice Plant, which is now a bird sanctuary for Chimney Swifts.
  • A mineral spring near the ice plant.
    A mineral spring near the ice plant.
  • Our camp in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife campground by the ice plant.
    Our camp in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife campground by the ice plant.
  • Hummingbird
    Hummingbird

    • Day 7

  • A railroad trestle on the rail trail through Swale Canyon.
    A railroad trestle on the rail trail through Swale Canyon.
  • Swale Canyon
    Swale Canyon
  • Ranching along Swale Creek.
    Ranching along Swale Creek.
  • At the eastern terminus of the Klickitat Trail.
    At the eastern terminus of the Klickitat Trail.
  • Mount Adams from Dalles Mountain Road.
    Mount Adams from Dalles Mountain Road.
  • Walking through the Windy Flats Wind Farm on Stringstreet Road.
    Walking through the Windy Flats Wind Farm on Stringstreet Road.
  • On the PRIVATE part of the Maryhill Loops Road. There are a lot of "no trespassing" signs here. We got lucky and got permission from the owners to use the road.
    On the PRIVATE part of the Maryhill Loops Road. There are a lot of "no trespassing" signs here. We got lucky and got permission from the owners to use the road.
  • The lower half of the Maryhill Loops Road.
    The lower half of the Maryhill Loops Road.
  • Surprise donut delivery on trail (road)! Thanks Drop-n-Roll.
    Surprise donut delivery on trail (road)! Thanks Drop-n-Roll.
  • The Maryhill Stonehenge.
    The Maryhill Stonehenge.
  • An amazing picnic feast at Maryhill State Park.
    An amazing picnic feast at Maryhill State Park.

    • Day 8

  • After getting a ride across the pedestrian-unfriendly Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, we stayed the night in Biggs Junction.
    After getting a ride across the pedestrian-unfriendly Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, we stayed the night in Biggs Junction.
  • Walking the Biggs Rufus Highway.
    Walking the Biggs Rufus Highway.
  • Resting in the shade by Moody Road.
    Resting in the shade by Moody Road.
  • McCoy Road.
    McCoy Road.
  • The Dalles from Columbia View Drive.
    The Dalles from Columbia View Drive.

    • Day 9

  • Budget Inn.
    Budget Inn.
  • We must be on route!
    We must be on route!
  • Our only tick sighting on the whole trip.
    Our only tick sighting on the whole trip.
  • Taking a snack break in Mosier.
    Taking a snack break in Mosier.
  • In the Mosier Twin Tunnels.
    In the Mosier Twin Tunnels.
  • Viewpoint along the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
    Viewpoint along the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
  • We are happy to be in Hood River.
    We are happy to be in Hood River.
  • We are super happy to replace our old shoes at the excellent Shortt Supply Company in Hood River.
    We are super happy to replace our old shoes at the excellent Shortt Supply Company in Hood River.

    • Day 10

  • Navigating the maze-like network of trails in the Post Canyon area.
    Navigating the maze-like network of trails in the Post Canyon area.
  • We did not find the connector trail that our map showed between Riordian Hill Drive and the Starvation Ridge Trail. Eventually we gave up and bushwacked a couple minutes to the trail.
    We did not find the connector trail that our map showed between Riordian Hill Drive and the Starvation Ridge Trail. Eventually we gave up and bushwacked a couple minutes to the trail.
  • Mount Hood from the summit of Mount Defiance.
    Mount Hood from the summit of Mount Defiance.
  • Our camp in the noisy Wahtum Lake Campground. Later we found out that it is known as a party spot.
    Our camp in the noisy Wahtum Lake Campground. Later we found out that it is known as a party spot.

    • Day 11

  • Fording Eagle Creek.
    Fording Eagle Creek.
  • On the summit of Tanner Butte.
    On the summit of Tanner Butte.
  • In the Tanner Creek valley.
    In the Tanner Creek valley.
  • Tanner Creek Trail
    Tanner Creek Trail
  • Mount Hood from Von Ahm Rim.
    Mount Hood from Von Ahm Rim.
  • Late camp on the Moffett Creek Trail, near the top of Nesmith Pt.
    Late camp on the Moffett Creek Trail, near the top of Nesmith Pt.

    • Day 12

  • The Columbia River Gorge from Horsetail Creek Trail.
    The Columbia River Gorge from Horsetail Creek Trail.
  • Silver Star Mountain -- where we were 12 days ago.
    Silver Star Mountain -- where we were 12 days ago.
  • Allgood and Suzy picked us up at the trailhead. Thanks, guys!
    Allgood and Suzy picked us up at the trailhead. Thanks, guys!
    • Copyright © 2024 Gabriel Deal.