Dome Rock, Feb 10th

Usually around Tuesday I start looking at the forecast to figure out what am I going to do or where am I going to go. When I do that, this time of year, I start by checking Government Camp to check the possibility of going snowshoeing. Then I check Tillamook for a closer hike and then I check Cascade Locks to see how the Gorge will be. Rain, Rain and Rain respectively. Then I check a bit further away, places like the Dalles, Detroit, etc. And that’s when I saw that Detroit was going to be mostly sunny. That’s when I remembered a hike that I really liked when I did it the first time and it’s one of those lesser known hikes even though the trailhead is right off the highway right after the bridge over Tumble Creek before getting to Detroit. When we got there, the day looked like it was going to be as predicted, sunny with some clouds so we grabbed our gear and got going. The route starts on an old access road that travels next to the creek for a while and then the trail veers from it. That’s when the climbing starts and it’s a steady up traversing back and forth the front of the ridgeline. The first third of the trail stays in the woods with almost no views even though it’s a beautiful forest. Then you traverse the first of a couple of open slopes that gives you the first hint at the views you’ll get later. Below you get a partial view of Detroit Lake and on the opposite shore Mt Jefferson peeking above the other mountains. Here it’s necessary to make a stop to enjoy the views as you get right back in the forest. Also, it’s a great spot to catch some sun.

After the obligatory pictures, we continued, and the story seems to repeat itself. You again traverse back and forth trying to stay on the ridgeline as you continue gaining elevation. Eventually the trail approaches a small dome that makes you think you are close, but rather than continue up, the trail makes a turn and goes into the shadow of the mountain. Being in the shadow, made this section not only colder but where we found most of the snow. As we traversed we did fall in some deep holes but eventually where able to go around. There are several good views in this section that open to mountains that are difficult to identify like Coffin Mountain, Triangulation Peak and Ollalie Butte, but it also gives you views of Jefferson, Three Sisters and Broken Top.

After going around this smaller butte you finally come back to the sunny side on a saddle which happens right before you start traversing the south side of your destination. Views start to open to Tumble Lake which is the actual destination of the trail as you pass some pretty massive rock formations. Shortly after a signed path indicated the detour to the top of Dome Rock. This is where saving a bit of energy comes in handy as the last push is probably about a quarter of a mile but climbs about 500’. The very last portion was rocky terrain covered in ice but then we were at the top. You can still see the remnants of the old fire lookout tower, but your eyes wonder quickly to the surrounding views. To the north you are supposed to get more peaks and mountains, including Mt Hood, but with denser clouds towards the north, it was hard to see. The views to the south were just magnificent and rewarding. We stayed there for a while eating lunch and enjoying the views. After a while we grabbed our way and retraced our steps all the way to the cars. Such a good day.

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