Rain pouring down in sheets mixed with snow at times. Cold and gusty winds out of the east. Yes indeed, it’s time for a hike.

On the late Winter morning I drove to the Cape Horn Trailhead in the western Columbia River Gorge. The trail, four miles out and four miles back with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain, has gone through significant upgrades over the years.

I was hoping the sun would break through, allowing some scenic photos of the spectacular area. Or, at least to spot some wildflowers.

And lo and behold there were a few white trillium lilies and yellow skunk cabbages in bloom. But, the heavy cloud cover and endless rain accompanied me the entire four hours.

The Cape Horn Trail itself is a gem with many switchbacks and good drainage. On a clear day there would be great views of the Columbia River stretching for miles in each direction.

This day I settled for some good exercise and staying reasonably warm. Although, by the time I returned to the Trailhead I closely resembled the proverbial wet rat.

As I frequently opine, if you’re not willing to take the opportunity to hike in rainy weather, you probably won’t do much hiking in the Portland area.