Hiking Angel’s Rest, Oregon

Home / Trail Guides / Hiking Angel’s Rest, Oregon

February 9, 2015

[mk_page_section layout_structure=”full” bg_color=”” bg_image=”” border_color=”” attachment=”scroll” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”repeat” bg_stretch=”false” parallax=”false” parallax_direction=”vertical” bg_video=”no” mp4=”” webm=”” ogv=”” poster_image=”” mask=”false” color_mask=”” mask_opacity=”0.6″ expandable=”false” expandable_txt=”” expandable_image=”” expandable_icon=”mk-theme-icon-plus” expandable_icon_size=”16″ expandable_txt_align=”left” expandable_txt_color=”” expandable_txt_size=”16″ padding=”20″ full_height=”false” full_width=”false” intro_effect=”false” section_id=”” visibility=”” el_class=””][vc_column border_color=”” visibility=”” width=”1/1″][vc_column_text responsive_align=”center”]The itch – There is no other honest way to explain it. It was a blisteringly hot 106°F afternoon in the middle of summer. I had just gotten off work and was ready to leave the city of roses behind. With the dog in the backseat smudging the glass excitedly with his nose and tongue, we rocketed down the road towards Angel’s Rest.

This hike will fill you with a sense of accomplishment and wonder. The simplicity, elegance, and sheer convenience of it is hard to beat; as a result, it sits near the top of my list of day hikes in the Columbia River gorge.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section layout_structure=”full” bg_image=”https://wanderlusthiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/01c31cd8ebee9be39e7fecc34e2ee1a3c9089459db.jpg” attachment=”scroll” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”repeat” bg_stretch=”true” parallax=”false” parallax_direction=”vertical” bg_video=”no” mask=”true” mask_opacity=”0.6″ expandable=”false” expandable_icon=”mk-theme-icon-plus” expandable_icon_size=”16″ expandable_txt_align=”left” expandable_txt_size=”16″ padding=”20″ full_height=”true” full_width=”true” intro_effect=”false”][vc_column border_color=”” visibility=”” width=”1/4″][mk_icon_text skin=”light” default_txt=”What is it?” default_txt_font_weight=”inherit” font_size=”30″ hover_font_size=”16″ hover_line_height=”18″ hover_txt_font_weight=”inherit” link=”#What_is_it” target=”_self” icon=”mk-theme-icon-accordion” icon_size=”48″][/vc_column][vc_column border_color=”” visibility=”” width=”1/4″][mk_icon_text skin=”light” default_txt=”Where is it?” default_txt_font_weight=”inherit” font_size=”30″ hover_font_size=”16″ hover_line_height=”18″ hover_txt_font_weight=”inherit” link=”#Where_is_it” target=”_self” icon=”mk-icon-map-marker” icon_size=”48″][/vc_column][vc_column border_color=”” visibility=”” width=”1/4″][mk_icon_text skin=”light” default_txt=”How did we do it?” default_txt_font_weight=”inherit” font_size=”30″ hover_font_size=”16″ hover_line_height=”18″ hover_txt_font_weight=”inherit” link=”#How_did_we_do_it” target=”_self” icon=”mk-flaticon-compass39″ icon_size=”48″][/vc_column][vc_column border_color=”” visibility=”” width=”1/4″][mk_icon_text skin=”light” default_txt=”Photos” default_txt_font_weight=”inherit” font_size=”30″ hover_font_size=”16″ hover_line_height=”18″ hover_txt_font_weight=”inherit” link=”https://wanderlusthiker.com/portfolios/angels-rest/” target=”_self” icon=”mk-li-photo” icon_size=”48″][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section layout_structure=”full” bg_color=”” bg_image=”” border_color=”” attachment=”scroll” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”repeat” bg_stretch=”false” parallax=”false” parallax_direction=”vertical” bg_video=”no” mp4=”” webm=”” ogv=”” poster_image=”” mask=”false” color_mask=”” mask_opacity=”0.6″ expandable=”false” expandable_txt=”” expandable_image=”” expandable_icon=”mk-theme-icon-plus” expandable_icon_size=”16″ expandable_txt_align=”left” expandable_txt_color=”” expandable_txt_size=”16″ padding=”20″ full_height=”false” full_width=”false” intro_effect=”false” section_id=”” visibility=”” el_class=””][vc_column border_color=”” visibility=”” width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner visibility=””][vc_column_inner el_class=”” width=”1/3″][mk_fancy_title style=”simple” corner_style=”pointed” tag_name=”h3″ border_width=”3″ size=”14″ line_height=”24″ color=”#393836″ font_weight=”inherit” letter_spacing=”0″ font_family=”none” margin_top=”10″ margin_bottom=”10″ align=”left” responsive_align=”center”]

At a glance

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Relative difficulty

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When to go

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What is it?

[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text responsive_align=”center”]At the top you get a 270 degree view of the gorge. As you may have guessed there is some elevation gain that takes place in order to achieve this kind of a view. 1450 feet over 2.4 miles one-way is relieved slightly by a handful of trail switchbacks. These are the squiggly bits on the map.

Most of the early sections of the trail are forested, providing some shade from the direct sun along with a few clearings to tease you on how far out of the valley you have climbed. The hike back follows the same trail which makes for an easy downhill return. Coopey Creek can be utilized to refill a water bottle or let an animal cool off. To be safe – Be sure to use a water purification device if you intend to drink this water.

Be cautious in the sections that are rocky. The last thing anybody wants is to twist an ankle or get a face full of rocks or both. It has happened. Overall, the hike takes a few hours to complete but is great for a short day hike or if you want a quick place to go to see the sunset. Be sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp if you plan on hiking back in the dark. Any light that a full moon might potentially give you is blocked out by the thick tree cover in the lower portion of the trail.

The Angel’s Rest trail continues on past Angel’s Rest along Wahkeena Trail #420 to Wahkeena Falls, but I have not explored this route yet.[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”flexslider_fade” interval=”5″ images=”26901,26902,26903″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section layout_structure=”full” bg_color=”” bg_image=”” border_color=”” attachment=”scroll” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”repeat” bg_stretch=”false” parallax=”false” parallax_direction=”vertical” bg_video=”no” mp4=”” webm=”” ogv=”” poster_image=”” mask=”false” color_mask=”” mask_opacity=”0.6″ expandable=”false” expandable_txt=”” expandable_image=”” expandable_icon=”mk-theme-icon-plus” expandable_icon_size=”16″ expandable_txt_align=”left” expandable_txt_color=”” expandable_txt_size=”16″ padding=”20″ full_height=”false” full_width=”false” intro_effect=”false” section_id=”” visibility=”” el_class=””][vc_column border_color=”” visibility=”” width=”1/1″][mk_fancy_title style=”simple” corner_style=”pointed” tag_name=”h1″ border_width=”3″ size=”14″ line_height=”24″ color=”#393836″ font_weight=”inherit” letter_spacing=”0″ font_family=”none” margin_top=”10″ margin_bottom=”10″ align=”left” responsive_align=”center”]

Where is it?

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How did we do it?

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Route

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Gear

[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text responsive_align=”center”]Standard day hike setup:

Small pack
Light shoes
Non-cotton clothing
Water & Snacks
Camera

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Trail Tips

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Wear a jacket – The top can be windy.
Bring a light source, if there is a chance you will get caught in the dark.
Pack a bottle of water and snacks – You will get thirsty and hungry.

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The Experience

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In my earlier hiking days, I was part of a group that hiked the trail up to Angel’s Rest. Having already completed shorter hikes like Multnomah Falls and Beacon Rock I was ready for something a bit more challenging. The group had been scouting for hikes in the gorge and this was next on the list. It looked promising and it delivered. Angel’s Rest is now a classic in my repertoire that I like to pull out when I need a quick trip away from the city.

[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”flexslider_fade” interval=”5″ images=”546,547″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” img_size=”large”][vc_column_text responsive_align=”center”]On that hot day in the middle of summer, I was sitting on the only bench that overlooks the Columbia river. I was enjoying the sunset and snacking on a peanut butter, nutella sandwich when another hiker passed through. We struck up a conversation about the ideal weather and clear visibility of the gorge. He explained how he hadn’t been to Angel’s Rest in several years but that he had wanted to return just so he could see the view from the top again. His former wife had accompanied him here long ago and this fact had been a point of pain that had prevented his return. Coming here was another step in his journey; he was confronting his demons and letting go.

After he left I suddenly realized that this place was littered with memories. You can see them scrawled into the bench, the rocks, the very earth itself. How many people had created memories here and left naively thinking they would last forever? With the right kind of eyes you can look west and see the high water mark; that place in time and space where the wave finally broke and rolled back.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section layout_structure=”full” bg_image=”https://wanderlusthiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2285.jpg” attachment=”scroll” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” parallax=”false” parallax_direction=”vertical” bg_video=”no” mask=”false” mask_opacity=”0.6″ expandable=”false” expandable_icon=”mk-theme-icon-plus” expandable_icon_size=”16″ expandable_txt_align=”left” expandable_txt_size=”16″ padding=”20″ full_height=”true” full_width=”true” intro_effect=”false”][vc_column border_color=”” visibility=”” width=”1/1″][vc_column_text responsive_align=”center” animation=”” visibility=”” el_class=””] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section layout_structure=”full” bg_color=”” bg_image=”” border_color=”” attachment=”scroll” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”repeat” bg_stretch=”false” parallax=”false” parallax_direction=”vertical” bg_video=”no” mp4=”” webm=”” ogv=”” poster_image=”” mask=”false” color_mask=”” mask_opacity=”0.6″ expandable=”false” expandable_txt=”” expandable_image=”” expandable_icon=”mk-theme-icon-plus” expandable_icon_size=”16″ expandable_txt_align=”left” expandable_txt_color=”” expandable_txt_size=”16″ padding=”20″ full_height=”false” full_width=”false” intro_effect=”false” section_id=”” visibility=”” el_class=””][vc_column border_color=”” visibility=”” width=”1/1″][mk_fancy_title style=”simple” corner_style=”pointed” tag_name=”h1″ border_width=”3″ size=”14″ line_height=”24″ color=”#393836″ font_weight=”inherit” letter_spacing=”0″ font_family=”none” margin_top=”10″ margin_bottom=”10″ align=”left” responsive_align=”center”]

Additional Resources

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