Journalist By Nature: Gillette Lake Redux

Foggy Gillette Lake

On July 14, 2013 I posted a blog about our sunny day hike to Gillette Lake, a little puddle along the PCT situated in the shadow of Table Mountain in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area on the Washington side. Today's trek was a rather different story. For one, the day was cool, overcast and mildly misting as we headed for a brisk in-and-out hike. No picnic or swimming today. Schedules were brimming with events but we all wanted to keep to our weekly appointment with the woods. For another difference there was heavy hauling activity in the area, dump trucks with trailers speeding over the hills to destinations unknown and unseen but clouds of dust and reverberating engine noise marking their pathway.

The early maples were beginning to yellow and drop their leaves ahead of the brilliant red vine maples soon to perform. Grasses were drought dry, wild blackberries hung shriveled and unpicked on their stems, Queen Anne's lace gussied up the trail sides and one lonely lupine bravely rebloomed in a final goodbye kiss to summer. The temperature was near 70 so coats came off early on the trail as the mist lightly dampened our packs. The gentle breeze that wandered through the fir trees kept us cool and comfortable on this fairly easy 5-miler.

Sacagewea and Papoose Rock

The trail begins with a soft, wide surface as it climbs into the forest across Highway 14 from the Bonneville Dam facility. Rising to a lookout over the Columbia River, the scene plays peek-a-boo through the colorful leaves, unwilling to surrender a completely open view of the Gorge. We rise and fall along the terrain, winding around and through the forest and then breaking into an open space that crosses a service road. Back into the forest we begin to search for glimpses of the rock formation on Table Mountain that is called Sacagawea and Papoose Rock. Many years ago the south face of Table Mountain slid into the Columbia River, temporarily blocking the river. Remnants from this geological event left sheets of rock jutting into the skyline. Imaginative minds were able to "see" the profile of the famous Indian with her baby strapped to her back as she guided Lewis and Clark through the territory. We weren't able to see her today until the fog lifted momentarily on our return trip.

Crossing a large, treeless ravine and scaling the face of this logged area we arrived atop the hills surrounding Gillette Lake, complete with heavy trucks hauling rocks, sounds of trains running along the riverbank, traffic on the highway and the occasional bird calling from a treetop. This did not lend much to the setting of remote forest nor did the buzzing of the powerlines overhead carrying hydroelectric power from the dam. Nevertheless, we continued down to the lake, winding around its circumference to a picnic/camping site where plenty of trashy evidence was strewn in the underbrush by former occupants. Is it really that difficult to pack out paper and aluminum containers after they've been used? Sheesh!

Despite the dryness of the area, the lakeside was rimmed with lush green grass and colorful shrubbery. Several runners and their canines dashed past us on their way, presumably, to Table Mountain another four miles to the north. We enjoyed a restful and conversant lunch, took a goofy picture of our group and headed back to the trailhead. We'll return another time to swim in the green water and share a picnic. The season is changing so don't delay finding an exciting trail to explore. The colors will be spectacular soon!