Journalist By Nature: March 2015

Generally applied to the archaeological world, OOP means Out Of Place object, something found that doesn't match the timeframe or culture of a dig site. Today it is referring to the amazing out of place weather pattern that has blessed our area: higher than normal temperatures, lower than usual precipitation, earlier wildflower profusion and perfect timing for Spring Break, allowing the hordes to hit the trails ahead of schedule. Eager to leave the cement trails of the city behind us, we collected ourselves at the Cape Horn trailhead early enough to beat the crowds, finding the parking lot barely occupied. Although a familiar hike for many of us, each five to seven mile trek here is fresh because of the unique time of year in which we make it.

Shouldering our day packs we stepped into a forest scene newly alive with that sweet fragrance of spring life. Evergreens were sporting new candles and soft tips, ferns were unfurling their tightly coiled fronds, trilliums in pure white and pretty pink raised fresh faces to us as we briskly walked along the damp path. Larkspur leaves were fully open but the lovely purple-blue buds were still firmly closed. Oregon grape leaves sparkled in their shiny purple coating. Tiny blue and white flowers peeked out from beneath the mossy undercoat of the forest floor. Aquilegia stems stood erect, prepared to hoist their orangey-red blooms soon. The occasional streams we encountered were running soft and low due to the lack of plentiful rainfall that the Pacific Northwest is usually known for. The air was warm and tinged with a sweet mold smell of decayed foliage that is now nourishing a new season of growth.

Viewpoint along the trail

The trail made a number of switchbacks during the initial ascent to reach the top of the cliffs along Washington Highway 14. Once we attained the altitude we began to wind along the cliffside, catching wide, clear vistas of the mighty Columbia River, Bonneville Dam in the distance at a slight bend in the channel and Beacon Rock standing solidly silent before it. The Washington side of the river faces south so warms up before the Oregon side. A slight, warm breeze climbing the face of the cliff ruffled our hair as we turned inland and headed across private land that allows hikers to reach the upper trail. Crossing the dead end road we continued on our way towards the Nancy RussellOverlook. Here, with a backdrop of the vast Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, we gathered with other hikers of the day and consumed snacks and peaceful views. The area approaching the Overlook was recently replanted with native flora after construction work was completed. You can drive to within one quarter mile of the Overlook and the remainder of the trail is handicap accessible. This puts it in reach of everyone! (See link "Cape Horn Dedication" in grey box for driving directions.)

Wild cranesbill/geranium

We decided not to follow the remainder of the upper Cape Horn trail as shuttle-style parking is limited at the west end, the highway is a dangerous crossing point and the lower trail is closed after February 1 to ensure uninterrupted nesting time for the falcons breeding and hatching on the cliff face. Returning the way we came we saw different scenes on the descent, taking the curvy horse trail for part of the way. Early morning slanting sunlight and cool temperatures were replaced by the glaring noon sun and a definitely hot feel to the air. The surface of the river was like a blue mirror reflecting the sunlight back to its source. Hot pink blossoms of native currants provided spots of bright color amid the lime green new growth of their surroundings. Delicate pink Bleeding Hearts nodded in the faint breeze, reminiscent of childhood bouquets from grandmother's yard. Cheery yellow dog violets beamed above their heart-shaped leaves. Salmonberry foliage stretched wide in preparation for bearing its yellow berries later in the summer. Delicate lines on the white petals of cranesbill drew the viewer to hands and knees to appreciate the fine beauty of its face. Twinflower, a double bloom like tiny dangling earrings, was another ground level sight.

Crossing the final stream and returning to the parking lot we found it overflowing with cars, not surprising with the great number of hikers on the trail. It was a bring-your-dog day as youths as well as a very elderly couple made their way to the top of Cape Horn. Leaving our parking space to a trolling motorist we headed for the Puffin Cafe situated on the river at the Port of Camas. Here amid moored yachts and a boat ramp is a floating restaurant of the tropical style. A happy puffin sits atop the roof, bright yellow walls bring the sunshine inside and hip wait staff supplied us with fried okra, fancy salads and fish tacos. The open sliding doors allowed the river breeze to enter the room and waterfowl hoisted themselves up on the dock's boardwalk in hopes of a charity handout. The river sparkled like a diamond-strewn watery highway as cruise and fishing vessels slowly made their way out of the marina. Not desirous of leaving we delayed as long as schedules allowed. The soothing waterfront eased away the cares of the world and nourished dreams of travel.

It's good to be back on the trail and we look forward to another exciting season exploring the byways of the Pacific Northwest.

Currant blossoms

Muddy stream crossing

Climbing the switchbacks

Dicentra a.k.a. Bleeding Heart

Larkspur yet to bloom

Pink trillium

Dog Violets

Nearly to the top!

Remnant of sapling with young branches
at core of a rotten stump

Unidentified blue flower clump

Group of the day in shadow

Top of the trail

Viewpoint on Hwy 14

Road from Overlook

White trillium

Port of Camas dock

Sunny interior

Tropical salad

Mt. Hood from dock

Jerk burger and waffle fries

Trillium

Boasting over 14,000 acres of designated parks, Portland shares third place with Boston and San Francisco in ParkScore's ranking of the largest U.S. cities' park space. Over 34% of Portland's residents live within one half mile of a park! Our extensive 5000 acre Forest Park is one of the country's largest urban forest reserves, but the remaining 9,000 acres of park space are scattered liberally throughout the metro area. Visiting Marshall Park in the southwest section of the city was like stepping briefly into the National Forests of our Cascade Mountain region.

Ancient Douglas firs in their crusty bark, drooping Western red
cedars, boulder-channeled streams, wild flowers and charming bird calls embraced us the moment we set foot on the trail. Ahhh, the soft needle-padded surface of the footpath was such a sweet break from our customary winter cement walkways. The fragrant smell of damp cedar drew us deeper into this small forest. We followed moss-covered split rail fencing down into the ravine the divides this 25 acre park. Pure white trilliums bloomed in giant statements that spring had (almost) officially arrived.

A devoted neighborhood association had obviously been hard at work in an attempt to rid a portion of the park of the invasive, non-native English ivy that coats the ground, any vertical structure and eventually topples even the stoutest trees. Dried remnants of formerly vigorous growth hung brown and lifeless around tree trunks. However, the aggressive plant maintains a foothold virtually everywhere in the city and is sold in nurseries even as it is fought in the parks. Who can explain it?

Leaving the peaceful park setting we continued our nearly five mile walk into the older neighborhoods around Terwilliger Boulevard and Taylors Ferry Road, taking a tour of a modern home under construction, stopping to peruse the sidewalk take-one-leave-one library stand and admiring the quirkiness of people's yard decor.

Our route took us through the Ahavai Sholom Jewish Cemetery and a portion of the immense Riverview Cemetery where a study of the grave markers revealed some interesting perspectives on life from the dearly departed. Stopping at the crematorium we saw that one's ashes can be shelved in a book-like container in their "library" niches. Tidy effect.

Lunch for the rumbling stomaches was provided at Chez Jose. Wondering if this was a trendy fusion of French and Mexican fare, we were seated in a dim cavern and devoured warm chips with salsas while checking out the menu. No fusion here; just plentiful and inventive takes on beans, rice and tortilla-based rollups. Half the meal went into take-out boxes. We called it a day after a lively discussion about good reads and movies. Phone notepads filled quickly with all the great recommendations. We were in one accord that this city hill hike was one of the best this year and look forward to much longer forest treks in the near future. Our early spring is a boon to trail time so pack your ten essentials and head for the hills!