windy gorge

Located about 10 miles north of the mountain, a broad, slow-moving river travels its arrow-straight course through the Windy Gorge, which extends for countless miles from the sea, east. On both sides of the river rise steep, fir-covered slopes that are met by ragged basalt cliffs. Every few miles a waterfall roars over the cliffs from dozens and hundreds of feet up and transforms into a stream that dances eagerly downhill to join the larger river. The spectacular view from atop the cliffs is perhaps worth braving the perpetual gusts. There is little food to eat here, plenty of water, and many rodents such as chipmunks and rabbits, which attract smaller predators such as bobcats and foxes. The large deer population in this area, however, attracts a few mountain lions, which are far more dangerous.