Smith Rock Oregon - Part 1

Saturday, July 11, 2015 - Part 1

Today is our 34th wedding anniversary.  We decided to celebrate by hiking at Smith Rock.  Smith Rock is known as one of Oregon's seven wonders.

This was our first view of Smith Rock.  This image is somewhat misleading because you cannot see the base from this point.

At the base, there is a foot bridge that crosses the Smith Rock River.  Look closely and you can see the switchbacks leading up and to the right.  This is the direction that Tic took.  Tic will take the Misery Ridge trail and travel 3/4 mile climbing over 900 feet to the summit.  Tic took the camera with him, so he will be sharing some of his hike.

After crossing the footbridge, Dusty will travel to the left along the banks of the river.  We will meet on the far side.

 There are a number of trails here, and looking up the canyon, you may be able to see a mountain biking trail that follows the river and circles the park.

Tic has stopped to catch his breath and looks back at the footbridge and the trail that Dusty has taken.

Another rest stop and looking up the canyon.  Not too much farther to the summit.  Much of this climb has had these "stairs".  They really make the climb more difficult, but they do help to control erosion on these steep slopes.

Tic is now on the ridge, time to take a photo of a dead tree.  Tic will have to find a flower for Dusty before this hike is over.  Dead trees are far more prevalent than flowers.

Well, there is the parking lot, 900+ feet below.  

 Quite a view, and a dramatic difference in terrain and greenery.  Now it is time to head to the other side and find the trail down the other side.

If that isn't a postcard view, I don't know one.  Tic is on the backside now, heading down.

This is called Monkey Face, and climbers "work it".  If you look closely, you can see some climbers.

I think this view makes the Monkey Face more obvious.  Tic is on the trail headed down to meet Dusty.

The view from the backside, on Misery Ridge Trail.

The trail down did not have "steps", was steep and covered with small loose rocks.  Made it slippery.

Rugged landscape.  Tic is nearly down to the river walk trail.

And there is Dusty with her binoculars, looking for wildlife, something she does very well.  (show you in a moment.)

Success!  Found a flower for Dusty!

Headed back on the river trail towards the footbridge.

Two openings in the cliff.  And we could see birds of prey, flying high above the ridge.

Dusty has the eye.  She spotted this bald eagle sitting near the top of tree.

There were other interesting sights on this climb, but they will make up a separate post.