Angel’s Rest Day Hike
Trail Name: Angel’s Rest
Enter/Exit: Angel’s Rest Trail Head
Trip type: Day Hike/ In and Out
Difficulty: Hard (elevation, small/short rock scrambles)
Distance: 4.8 Miles Round Trip
Elevation: 1640 Feet
Guide: https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Angels_Rest_Hike
Review: Angel’s Rest has long been a favorite day hike of mine. It has definitely grown in popularity since I first hiked it 20 years ago. If you want a shot at a view to yourself you better show up very early and on a weekday.
On this trip my buddy Dura and I were hoping to capture a sunrise at the top so we arrived at the trail head very early on a Saturday morning and were the third car in the lot. The hike begins by gradually climbing from the parking area and the climb only gets more intense as you go.
With headlamps on we took our time hiking up as we were both out of shape. Crossing over the small wooden bridge over Coopey Creek we new we were behind schedule but still enjoying ourselves. About a mile and a half up it was light enough that we could turn off our head lamps. This meant we missed the sunrise but we were not deterred. We began the switchbacks that lead to the rock garden which let us know we were at least nearing the top. The views really start to open up in that section we took our time enjoying the pastel colors showing up along the river.
After a final section of forested trail you emerge onto the rocky outcrop and climb up a 6 foot section of rock to finally enjoy the 360 views. The winds were blowing around 20-30 MPH which is pretty standard for that area. We set up some cameras to record a time lapse of the final rising of the sun over devils rest and began making our breakfast of Mountain House Biscuits and Gravy and Trail Toddy Mocha.
After breakfast we shot a few review videos and enjoyed the last bit of our Angel’s Envy Rum Finished Rye Whiskey and packed our bags for the trek down. Heading down we stopped numerous times to allow the uphill hikers to pass by. It was a nice easy hike down with a short break along Coopey Creek to make a Creekside spicy Paloma. The trail from Coopey Creek down to the parking lot flew by and we saw numerous cars circling the overflow parking lot which made waking up at 5am worth it. The hike is strenuous and a short bit of climbing is needed to make it all the way to the top but it will continue to be a favorite hike of mine that I am sure I will hike dozens more times. Cheers.
Rating: Come Back! Probably the trail I have hiked the most times.
May the miles you hike be filled with wonder and the glasses you raise be filled with whiskey. Cheers!
Rating Guide:
-Gram it: Check out the pictures on Instagram because this one is not worth seeing in person.
-Hike it: It’s short and sweet. Might as well knock it out in a day.
-Bag it: Pack a bag and spend the night.
-Bring a friend: Easy enough to bring a friend. Maybe this is where you can introduce someone to backpacking.
-Come Back: I will keep doing this trip it is so good!
