June 22-23
So, there is something about living in Oregon in the
summer. It kinda rocks. Random weekends are worth mentioning. At the beginning of the summer, we bought
Curious Gorge, which may as well be a
hiking bible for the National Scenic Area in which we currently reside. On this particular weekend, we decided to try
some lesser known hikes mentioned in the book on Saturday. The early hike was Shellrock Mountain 1872
Wagon Road. There is actually the oldest
road in the gorge right off I-84, and no one really knows it’s there. You have to park on the eastbound side of the interstate, just
after exit 51 and hop the guardrail to find the trail. About a half mile in, sure enough, there is
the old wagon road, built circa 1872.
Switchback up the hill and you can walk along and sit on the old
road. Just below is the freeway, where
everyone blowing by is oblivious to the old road. Never saw another soul on the hike, but just
watching the world, and river, go by while sitting on top of the old road. [...]
