Angels Rest
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes to this location:
- Angels Rest Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Hikes including this location:
- Angels Rest-Devils Rest Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Columbia Gorge Traverse Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.56431, -122.15299
- Elevation: 1584 feet
Description
Angels Rest is an exposed bluff on the western end of the Columbia River Gorge. This summit is characterized by a long, rocky spine composed of a million-year-old Larch Mountain andesite lava flow surrounded on three sides by cliffs, boasting a striking 270 degree view! While you can't see any of the Cascade volcanoes from the top, you do get great vantages of Cape Horn, Phoca Rock, the Prindle Cliffs, Archer Mountain, Hamilton Mountain, Beacon Rock, Silver Star Mountain, Washington's Larch Mountain and many other landmarks, including the tall buildings in downtown Portland.
The real draw, however, is the perspective of the river below - like you're on a balcony over a great auditorium. Its near-1500 foot prominence, as well as the proximity of Angels Rest to the Columbia River, gives you the false sensation that you could dive from the summit to the water below!
The forest expanses surrounding the summit burned in a fire back in 1991 and parts of the area again in 2017, and lots of charred evidence remains.
Early settlers called this place, like many other rocky palisades, "Fort Rock". The first trail here came from the direction of the Bridal Veil Plateau, down what is now Foxglove Way.
Note for families: While there is plenty of space to avoid danger at the top, it should be noted that it's a good idea to keep little ones close by to avoid them getting too close to the cliffside drop-offs.
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Contributors
- jeffstatt
- stevefromdodge
- greglief (photos)