Pacific Crest-West Table Mountain Trail Junction
From Portland Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes including this destination
- Latitude: 45.68082
- Longitude: -121.98438
- Maps: Portland Hikers Maps Google Earth
- Elevation: 1980 feet
Contents |
Description
First-time climbers of Table Mountain will want to take the West Table Mountain Trail (also known as the "Westway Trail"), which is one of the hardest climbs in the area. Nonetheless, since nearby Heartbreak Ridge includes a steep scree-field that few will want to down-climb, it's best to learn this route first, since you will connect with it on the way back down, no matter how you will get to the top. The route starts out on a steep pitch in the forest, but soon breaks out into a scree field with great views. Try to keep on the switchbacks and don't rush -- your boots will scramble plenty of small rocks on your way to the summit. There are a few breaks where the trail gets more solid underfoot, but much of it also involves steep exposure just a few feet from the path. The combination of scree and exposure ensure that few day-hikers next door at Hamilton Mountain will ever find their way up here.
A word of warning: For some reason, "Heartbreak Ridge" tree-badges are found along this route, as they are on the actual Heartbreak Ridge. However, this is in fact the Westway Trail (which, perhaps, simply lacks an official name). If you have an altimeter, you can confirm the intersection from the Pacific Crest Trail, which is around 2,000 feet.
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