Love this hike! The first 1.2 miles are a bit of a climb—gaining over 1000 feet. No snow until 4000 feet, after the second lookout (about 3.5 miles). I put on micro spikes halfway between the second and third lookout (around 4 miles). Enjoyed the cloudy view at the third lookout (4.4 miles). Considered going on to Little Ranger Peak (about another 1-2 miles and 1000 feet of elevation gain) but didn’t have the energy.
Left trailhead at 8:10
Third lookout at 10:00
Began descent at 11:20
Back to TH at 1:00
Comments
upperleftnative on Palisades
Thanks for the report! I was at Snoquera on New Year's Day and was curious about Palisades. Would you say the trail was easy to keep track of? Specifically through the burned areas.
Posted by:
upperleftnative on Jan 02, 2020 10:16 AM
BriSyts on Palisades
I didn't get as far as the burned out areas, but I know other hikers have, so until more snow falls, it shouldn't be difficult to stay on the trails. From Snoquera you can do a big loop of 13-15 miles. If you went counter clockwise, you'd go up to Little Ranger Peak (your highest point) and then you'd start a gradual descent along the top of the Palisades sort of paralleling 410 all the way to the Dalles Creek, from there you'd drop about 1000 feet in a mile and then catch the 1-mile trail back to Snoquera to complete the loop. Let me know if you do it! I haven't yet.
Posted by:
BriSyts on Jan 02, 2020 11:36 AM
BriSyts on Palisades
I didn't get as far as the burned out areas, but I know other hikers have, so until more snow falls, it shouldn't be difficult to stay on the trails. From Snoquera you can do a big loop of 13-15 miles. If you went counter clockwise, you'd go up to Little Ranger Peak (your highest point) and then you'd start a gradual descent along the top of the Palisades sort of paralleling 410 all the way to the Dalles Creek, from there you'd drop about 1000 feet in a mile and then catch the 1-mile trail back to Snoquera to complete the loop. Let me know if you do it! I haven't yet.
Posted by:
BriSyts on Jan 02, 2020 11:36 AM