4 miles of hiking • 2000' elevation gain •
Had a wild hair after work and went somewhere close and uncrowded. Angel's Rest TH had at least 40 cars at 5pm! Walked up Palmer Mill Road a quarter mile before cutting up the ridge west of "Pablo's Ridge" on the west side of the small creek. Nice and open cross country/elk trails for the first half with a steep grassy cliff band at 800 ft. After that, a burn area with dense young alder until the plateau. Looped counterclockwise seeing the "sights" like bullet-riddled cars, old motorcycle parts, and various other human detritus. Topped out at "Wine Bottle Junction" and headed down toward the rusted chair decorated with moss and ferns and admired the view of Angel's Rest. Continued cross-country and along rough trails northwest to "Pablo's Ridge" where the best views of the Gorge were to be seen. Watched the sun set and schwacked through currants and vine maple before hitting good elk trail for the rest of the way down. Made it to the road before needing a headlamp.
