Hike Info:
Trailhead: Tooth Rock Trailhead, lat - 45.63378 / long - 121.94902
Total Miles: 10
Elevation Gain: ~3000'
Difficulty: Hard (due to steep trail/exposure on last 1/2 mile)
Family Friendly: No
All Season: 3+ season, safest when dry
On Sunday, May 7th, I went on my first hike with AYM (Adventurous Young Mazamas). We were originally going to hit a couple of peaks north of Table Mountain on the PCT, one of which is Birkenfeld Ridge. But, snow levels were still too low and the weather turned foggy and drizzly. Scott, our hike leader suggested Wauna Point as an alternative.
I've wanted to see the view from the Point for some time, but never got around to getting up there. Normally I wouldn't choose this hike for a wet, soggy, foggy, or blustery day... but it sounded exciting nonetheless.
We started at the Tooth Rock trailhead, and hoofed it up FS Road 777 to the Tanner Butte Trailhead. The well graded climb was nice, with lush green vegetation all around. On the way, we passed a newer landslide that dumped rocks and mud all over the road. Power crews must have been through there because the road was cleared of debris. We took a short break at the Trailhead for pics and a quick drink, then it was off up the Tanner Butte Trail #401.
The trail climbs next to then crosses over Tanner Creek, passing a few pretty, yet moderately sized waterfalls.
After a while, the trail turns away from the creek and climbs the side of the ridge. We crossed under power lines buzzing so loudly they were a bit creepy. At various points, you can look to the west and see Munra Point, but it was obscured by clouds on our trip.
The moderate and well graded trail switchbacks up the ridge to the Wilderness Boundary, where there is a small camp site. This is the intersection with the unmaintained Wauna Point Trail. Here we stopped for another short rest and snack. To get to Wauna Point, take the easy to follow trail to the left, behind the camp site. There is some blowdown on the trail, but it's easy to navigate. The trail is gentle here, belying the steep, brushy, and exposed tread in our future.
After close to 1/4 mile, you come to an old sign saying "Wauna Point 1400'". The obvious trail continues to your right, but that's not the way. Keep left at the sign, and pick up the faint trail heading down through the trees. Soon enough, the trail steepens as you climb down next to some moss covered cliffs. The trail veers to the right, where it traverses under said cliff. The trail is covered in some blowdown here, muddy, and a bit washed out in spots. Not a place to slip, but it is easily navigated taking your time.
After the cliff, you attain Wauna Ridge proper. From here, it's a steep climb down to a saddle on the ridge, devoid of trees. This area is easily visible from various points in the Gorge including the Eagle Creek trail, Ruckel Ridge trail, Hamilton Mountain, etc. I'm not sure, but I believe the trees here were cut down to make a heli-pad and fire break during the Wauna Ridge fire of 1991. On the far side of the saddle, the trail skirts the left side of the ridge, heading up slightly where it's quite brushy. There were a few early blooming wildflowers to see, but the views were completely fogged in as we descended in the rain.
As we headed down the last pitch to the diving board, aka Wauna Point, the tread was pretty steep with a good bit of exposure to the left side. When it doubt, lean to the right... and use a veggie belay if necessary. 
It was a bit slick since we'd been hiking in a constant drizzle all morning, so I was somewhat cautious with my footing on this last stretch. Once at the Point, the view was socked in completely. We got intermittent views of Bonneville Dam, the Bridge of the Gods, Eagle Creek valley, Ruckel Ridge, and the misty Benson Plateau, but nothing too spectacular.
The trip back up, then down the Tanner Butte Trail was fast and uneventful. But, on the way back down FS 777, we took the side trail leading to the Tooth Rock section of the Columbia River Highway that was recently restored. On the way, we scrambled up to the top of Tooth Rock for a view of the freeway and dam below. Then, it was down to the Highway for the short walk back to the car.
Car to car time was about 4 hours give or take, 10 total miles at a moderate pace. It was a nice way to spend a few hours on a soggy Sunday. I will be back later this summer to see the views as they were intended... probably as part of an Eagle Creek-Tanner Butte loop. You can see the rest of the pics from the hike at http://tinyurl.com/fqug3 and http://tinyurl.com/e9h2g. Here's a page with a picture from Wauna Point on a nice day: http://tinyurl.com/r7mjj.
- Jim Sifferle
My hiking GalleriesThe mountains are calling and I must go. -- John Muir