A couple of years ago I did this hike with a good friend that works for the WTA when they were building this trail system. Back then, part of the loop was completed using unmarked paths and crossing over Hwy14. It did have a lot of promise as the hike takes you up on a ridge with stunning views of the Columbia River Gorge. The hike itself is not difficult by any means but it’s not for the faint of heart. There are some steep drop offs that can make you dizzy if you stand too close. Doing it again with a small group brought back nice memories and a couple of nice surprises. For starters, the whole loop is very well marked and the trail itself is very well maintained. They also added tunnels under Hwy14 at both points where you needed to cross the highway before making it a lot safer. They also built a viewpoint on the top, located at the end of the Rim Rd. It seems you can drive closer to this viewpoint for a shorter hike but being in the middle of the loop makes it a great stop for a bite to eat with pretty good views of the Gorge. Certainly the WTA did an incredible job on this trail while preserving the interesting parts of it.
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