Oak Ridge Trail to Surveyors Ridge

Here is an uphill trek that has increasingly impressive views of Mt Hood. This hike is just south of Hood River and is easy to get to for a nice day hike. I didn’t think it was any more of a climb than others that I’ve done, but it felt tougher for some reason. Maybe there was more elevation gain in a shorter distance. But whatever it was, I got a workout.

Because this was in late October, there were warning signs at the start of the trail about it being hunting season. To be most visible to hunters, it is a good idea to wear bright red or orange colored clothing. I ignored the suggestion to wear bright colors, not having brought any with me, and decided to keep my eyes and ears open and stay aware of my surroundings.

I started out on the path through the brush. The trail rose gently for a short distance, crossed a gravel road, then began to climb. There were places where the view was open and you could take in the valley with Mt Hood rising on the near horizon. Other places were forested and the views were more “up close”. Several sections were dry and I could look down and see all the switchbacks that I had traveled.

At the top of the climb, I came to Surveyors Ridge Trail. I made a left turn here. The trail here was level and a welcome relief after the climb. As I approached the powerlines, I dropped downhill to an area with a picnic table. Then back uphill to a nice resting spot.

My goal was to reach Bald Bluff. If you go on this hike with that goal in mind, remember this: Bald Bluff is the one AFTER the powerlines. I managed to get as far as the powerlines and since I was tired, and since there was a great view from the powerlines, I stopped there and didn’t quite finish the whole hike. But I enjoyed having a lunch and heating up a traditional cup of Starbucks Via ® before returning to my car.