Gillette Lake
A great hike that is available almost every day of the year. There are times when the Gorge is iced-in and none of the hikes are available, but for the most part you can hike this trail any time.
Beginning at the Bonneville Dam Trailhead, the Tamanous trail heads east to hookup with the popular Pacific Crest Trail for a 5.5 mile round trip. Following the trail north the hike brings you to Gillette Lake, which is one of many lakes formed by the incredible geological event that created the Bridge of the Gods. When the northern half of Table Mountain and Greenleaf Mountain fell into the Gorge, the event created the Bridge of the Gods, and also created opportunities for many small lakes to form.
The name "Bridge of the Gods" originates from a Native American legend. As the tale goes, two competing brothers were separated by the Columbia River. They were reconnected when the Great Spirit built the Bridge of the Gods across the river. When the two tribes began to fight, the Great Spirit destroyed the bridge. The rapids were created from the remnants of the collapsed bridge. The legend explains how the actual landslide and the resulting Cascade rapids were formed.
A Northwest Forest Pass is required at the Bonneville Trailhead. An alternative "no fee" parking sight is located just Northwest of The Bridge of the Gods. This is the start of the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington. If you start there, it will add roughly 1.5 miles to the hike. Please beware of the plentiful poison oak along the trail and in the brush.
Congratulations to Boiler up 72 & TheMother Hens...FTF!