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Ascend Misery Ridge trail to view of Monkey Face, then take the longer Summit Trail loop around Smith Rock. Map link
Activity Notes
Misery Ridge I believe to be named for its short, steep uphill followed by its short, steep downhill. We'll visit on a day the parking lot shouldn't be too crowded and at a time of year when we shouldn't overheat, though when scheduling this in August I'm uncertain about the air quality.
This is a spectacular hike completely open to the elements, and we can see Smith Rock State Park's surroundings for miles. The highlight is seeing Monkey Face from several angles. We will also encircle the park from the north, taking the Summit Trail, Burma Road, and Wolf Tree Trail back to the park's bridge. We will hike 7.4 miles, gaining 1,900'. Note that this day hike requires twin three-hour drives.
| Other Information | |
|---|---|
| Driving Distance from Portland | 131 miles |
| Driving Time from Portland | 2 hours |
| Distance - Round Trip | 6 miles |
| Expected Duration | Car to car in one day |
| Interesting Features | Basalt Columns |
