Dad, Steve and Sean joined us for the adventure. We met around 10:30 a.m. at Bonneville Hot Springs Resort on Highway 14 just west of the Bonneville Dam (Side note: My great grandfather, John Fortune, helped build the dam in the 1930s.)
The start of the trail is a bit tricky to find the first time. Begin at the gravel parking lot on the west side of the resort and head up the gravel road. At the junction with another service road, look for a faint path across in the grass. Currently, a small cairn marks the spot. The trail gains about 550 feet in the next 1.1 miles through trees, ferns and Oregon grape. A few trillium are starting to emerge.
Soon after you cross a creek on a log bridge, the trail ends at another road. Take a right. A few yards away is another junction near what used to be Carpenters Lake. Some locals we met on the trail said it was stopped up by a beaver dam that eventually broke loose, causing flooding downstream (a bolder went through a house!) and emptying the lake. The beavers never came back, they said. Hang a left. After a few more yards, stay to the right.The trail starts a nice, constant grade, gaining about 800 feet over the next 1.1 miles until you cross the PCT. Stay right and continue up about .4 miles and another 300 feet. A large sign marks the start of the Heartbreak Ridge Trail.
Waiting for the dads to catch up:
Next, slip some water, take a few deep breaths and then turn right up the grueling hill. The saddle is about .6 miles and 800 feet up. First is a clearing that is perfect for a quick rest stop. 
Here we saw a man carrying a wooden cross up the hill. "Jesus" was the first thing that came to mind, but then I saw writing on the cross and realized it was a memorial for Kate Huether, a 24-year-old Portland woman who fell to her death March 4 while hiking in the area. Her body was recovered last week. We talked to a couple people and learned that about 20 of her friends had made the hike to place the cross in her memory. It was very touching.A bit farther past the clearing, the trail is suddenly cliff-side with a dizzying view of the top of Table Mountain and the razor-sharp cliffs around the cirque. Kate's friends placed the cross in that saddle, where they believe she likely fell.
The trail continues about another .6 miles and 1,000 feet through forested switchbacks and over a boulder field that is much steeper than it looks from this photo:
Small signs pointed left to the PCT and right to the Gorge lookout, so we went left and came out at another clearing - this one offering views of St. Helens, Rainier, Adams, Hood and Jefferson! 
When the entire group arrived, we walked to the end of the lookout for more views of Hood, the dam, the Gorge and the center of Table Mountain, which is now a huge cirque surrounded by massive cliffs left by the Bonneville Landslide. The slide sent the mountain south, relocating and temporarily damming the river. The story and Native American legend is fascinating. Click HERE to read more about it. From the top looking down at the cliffs near saddle:
Picture time (Notice the boys' matching shirts - SO cute!):
Dad was all smiles:
Someone made a snowman in the spots of snow left from last weekend's storm:
Gotta get the group shots! Adams in the background:
Armed with our trusty William Sullivan guide book, we planned to make the return loop back to the PCT to avoid the boulders and steep downhills. But somehow it got confusing and we're not really sure where we ended up. I think new trails have been built since the book was written (copyright 2008). We decided we were where we were supposed to be, but it wasn't what the book said. We headed back to the sign that pointed left to the PCT and right to the lookout and headed west toward the PCT. It took us to a rocky ridge where the steep trail was covered with very loose rock. Tired legs made it quite challenging and slow going. We agreed this was the most sketchy part of the hike (aside from keeping away from the crazy-steep cliffs). Soon (not soon enough for the older members of our party) we were back in the woods and then reunited with the PCT. Take a left and return the way we came. Piece of cake :)
The trail was beautiful and the weather was perfect. The faster part of the group spent more time sitting than hiking, but we were thrilled to have the old guys along. Looking back, it wasn't the best trail to take them on for their first hike of the season. Oh well ... everyone made it :)
Brad and I loved the trail and want to go back. But we're not sure if we'd do the loop again or just go back down the way we went up. Not sure which is the better (less-sketchy) option. We were pleasantly surprised at the five-mountain view from the top - a wonderful reward for the hard work. We were also amazed that aside from the large group on the memorial hike, we saw just a handful of single and couple hikers. For such a wonderful Saturday (and Spring Break!), it was not crowded at all.
We definitely recommend this hike for a clear, dry day. But respect the mountain and stay clear of the edges. It's very strenuous, so take lots of water and snacks and be prepared for some huffing and puffing. Oh - and I would strongly recommend trekking poles for added stability on the steeps.
Of course, we ended our trip with a stop at Taco del Mar, my new favorite fish taco place.
:)
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