Hike #3 (11/9/13) - Nesmith Point

I am in good shape, but not mountain climbing shape.  Nesmith Point is the type of hike I will use to change that by next spring.  The hike starts at the John B Yeon State Park (off exit 35 on I-84) parking lot.  I was the first one to the lot and the sun was just coming up, so I jammed all that I could from the front of my car to the trunk to help prevent the car window "smash and grab" that sometimes happens in Gorge areas like this.

The first mile is not that bad but then the switch backs started.  My first thought in heading up was, "don't think about how hard this is going to be."  Soon the wonder of it all took over my experience. The high cliffs, the salamanders slowly ascending, the fog rising up through the trees, and blood pulsing through my veins left me feeling great!  Some of these sections are very steep and there are a few rock slide areas to contend with which only adds to the experience of climbing.

About half way up I was quickly passed by a gentlemen who IS in mountain climbing shape and then at about 3.3 miles of climbing you top the ridge at around 3000 ft up.  The next section is an "easy" 1.3 miles along the ridge, though you are still moving UP and I encountered some left over snow from last weekend around 3200 ft.  

  Finally after the slog through the woods you reach the sign post directing you to the top of Nesmith Point.

Next time I would love to explore the other trails in the area but this day I would only make my way to the point itself.  A tree ate the sign at the summit 

but the views were amazing!

Its a great feeling knowing that you climbed all the way up from the river and earned these views at 4300 ft.  On the way back down I took it slow as the steep sections took their toll on my knees returning to the car a little over six hours from when I started.  What a climb!

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