The park was already very busy when we arrived around midday, and we were lucky to find a parking spot ($5 USD day use fee required).  From the parking area, we started along the main access trail which drops down a steep embankment to a bridge over Crooked River.  On the north bank, we turned eastward and followed Wolf Tree Trail which winds around a bend in the river before connecting with another trail known as Burma Road near the outlet tunnel of an irrigation canal.  Burma Road actually leaves the state park and enters BLM land where it makes a single switchback before gently sweeping upward across the west face of a high point known as Peak 4230.  Just before reaching a 4-way intersection, we left the road to take an obvious beaten path which runs up the northwest ridge of Peak 4230.  This path is brutally steep, but otherwise, we encountered no technical difficulties in reaching the top of Peak 4230.

	Misery Ridge is instantly visible from the parking lot at Smith Rock State Park.
	Beyond the bridge over Crooked River is the rock climbing area known as Picnic Lunch Wall.
	Zosia hikes along the north bank of Crooked River.
	Zosia walks along an irrigation canal near the juncture of Wolf Tree Trail and Burma Road.  At upper right is Peak 4230.

Most of Smith Rock State Park is visible in this view from partway up Burma Road.  Smith Rock is at left, and at centre is Misery Ridge.

 

	Zosia hikes up gently rising Burma Road.
	Zosia takes to a beaten path going up the northwest ridge of Peak 4230.
	Sonny grinds his way up the beaten path. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia and Sonny stand on the high point of Peak 4230 (1292 metres).
	Here is the view of Smith Rock (left) and Misery Ridge (right) from the top of Peak 4230.

After taking a short break, we retraced our steps back down the northwest ridge and continued westward along what is known as Summit Trail.  Leaving BLM land, we descended several annoyingly long switchbacks (the trail is designed for mountain bikers) before traversing the northern rim of the park.  The trail briefly crosses private land before turning southward and re-entering the park along the banks of Crooked River.  At a T-intersection, we turned eastward and began climbing what is known as Misery Ridge Trail.  This trail passes another junction below a striking rock pinnacle known as Monkey Face before rising in a series of switchbacks to the crest of Misery Ridge.  As we climbed the switchbacks, we were awed by the efforts of a climbing team tackling the fearsome Monkey Face.

	Zosia descends one of the long switchbacks along Summit Trail.  Peak 4230 is visible in the distance.
	Blooming yellow fritillaries (yellowbells) are a sure sign that spring has arrived.
	A startled western fence lizard starts doing push-ups possibly as a defensive display of strength.
	Zosia hikes along the western side of the park with Smith Rock visible at distant right.
	Zosia approaches the pinnacle known as Monkey Face.
	This is looking up the western side of Monkey Face.  Climbing bolts can be seen embedded in the rock.
	Zosia climbs up the switchbacks on the western side of Misery Ridge.
	On her way up Misery Ridge, Zosia finds a small cave with a window.
	Monkey Face lives up to its name in this view from near the crest of Misery Ridge.

The highest point of Misery Ridge is a short distance off the official trail, and we easily tagged it after a short Class 3 scramble with some mild exposure.  Upon returning to the trail, we descended the east side of Misery Ridge passing some other rock climbing areas (Red Wall and Picnic Lunch Wall) before ending up back at the bridge over Crooked River.  We endured one last annoying uphill walk to return to the parking area.

	Sonny scrambles up some rocks near the high point of Misery Ridge. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia squeezes through a gap while scrambling to the top of Misery Ridge.
	Sonny and Zosia stand on the high point of Misery Ridge (1030 metres).
	Peak 4230 stands out to the east in this view from the high point of Misery Ridge. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Below the high point of Misery Ridge, Zosia carefully descends to her backpack.
	A team of climbers scales Monkey Face.
	Zosia descends the steep trail on the eastern side of Misery Ridge.
	On her way back to the trailhead, Zosia passes under a climbing area known as Red Wall.
	Total Distance:  12.3 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  5 hours 48 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain:  796 metres GPX Data