With strong wind in the forecast for the Columbia River Gorge, we looked for a more wind-sheltered hike. The Klickitat Haul Road turned out to be the perfect choice.
We also experienced solitude: we only met 4 other hikers all day.
Once beyond the end of the pavement, this hike becomes wild as the route enters the Klickitat Wildlife Area on both sides of the canyon so there are few signs of humans on the landscape.
The path briefly dropped to river level and we could see that this area recently had been underwater. During our hike it was muddy but passable. Beyond that spot the hike stays above the river on a shelf where the former road was carved from the cliffs. In places, the tread requires crossing a lot of rock rubble eroding from the cliffs above.
At about 3.5 miles, we did a time check and decided it was time to turn around and head back. Our pace gets slowed by diversions to look at birds and wildflowers. We also knew that in about another half mile we would have to turn around anyway due to high water covering the route.
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