UPDATES

Weather, work and storm damage has kept us off the trails we so love this time of year, and the blog has suffered.

By now, in previous years, we would already have hiked up Salmon Butte, Central Salmon River and Burnt Lake to the Zig Zag overlook while looking forward to the annual McNeil Point hike. However, storm damage from the winter has taken part of the road out on the Salmon River Road, zapping two hikes, and a bridge is down to Burnt Lake trailhead. Reportedly, the repairs will not be made until July. It's been a tough year in the wilderness areas.

Mostly, we've stayed in the gorge with numerous treks up Wahkeena Falls, Angels Rest and Dog mountain to keep the exercise level up. The wildflowers have been exceptional this spring, along with the jungle-like growth of succulent vegetation. Today, on Angels Rest, we found an abundance of tiger lilies and columbines, wild strawberries almost ripe, and were serenaded throughout the hike with the delightful melodies of numerous birds. Not a bad way to spend Sunday morning.

Tuesday, we'll make our first trip this year to Cape Horn on the Washington side of the gorge. Our weather is to improve this week and open up a number of good options until we're able to hike the mountain.