38 min
Overview
Above The Dalles hangs a line of cliffs that seem quite out of place among the basalt synclines and anticlines of the central Gorge. This sandstone of the Dalles Formation represents the remains of a Pliocene lake bed that formed in a basin covering the Columbia River basalts in this area. The former lake bed, now a plateau, is pimpled with scores of Mima mounds, a geomorphological phenomenon not adequately explained to this day. Much of the area to the west of these cliffs, over 300 acres, was purchased by the Forest Service in 2002. The cliff faces themselves host nesting raptors and swallows in the spring; in addition, generations of The Dalles teenagers have come up here, gouged their initials, splashed graffiti, built fires, and gotten cozy in the shallow caverns that perforate the rim. There are great views of the surrounding area as well as some unique rock formations; springtime wildflowers bloom in profusion, and a resident herd of deer can almost always be observed. Note that trail names here are given by the mountain bikers who use the area, and trails are not signposted. NOTE: In the past, all areas of the tableland were accessible to locals via paths leading up from The Dalles. Since the Forest Service acquired some of the area, however, it has seen increased use, and local property owners have fenced off the slope below the east side of the plateau, where some of the more interesting rock formations were visible. In addition, access has become more complicated recently (see the Chenowith Middle School Trailhead page.). Directions below still take you from the Middle School, but Sandlin Road may be the better option currently. This latter choice, from the end of the pavement on Sandlin Road, will add another 2.5 miles round-trip to the distance of the hike. Walk around the fence and up through the parking lot towards the southwest corner of the school property. There’s an apartment complex to the left. Find the trail at the corner of the property. This heads north above the school through an oak
Trail Stats
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188 m
236 m
0 m
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Photos
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500px-ChenowethTablelandLoopMap
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