Unlike the previous two trails on this list, Hamilton Mountain is slightly more off-the-beaten path (although we recommend going on a week day in the summer, if you can). 12 Incredible Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge By Diana Flowers Last updated on April 13, 2023 The Columbia River Gorge, aka Portland's Playground, aka the Gorge, aka the Notorious CRG, stretches over 85 miles along the mighty Columbia River and is home to towering waterfalls, world-class windsurfing, and spectacular hiking. The eastern side of the gorge is a different story. The Crawford Oaks parking area is typically meager, but more parking areas, trailheads and other neat secrets are hidden on the hillside above. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. During those months you can do an out-and-back walk instead of a loop. A ten-mile loop that shows off the lakes, meadows and vistas (not to mention huckleberries) of Indian Heaven Wilderness and Mount Adams with a southern section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Its about protecting what sustains us. If you're short on time or are hiking with a family, you may also want to check out the Hall of Moses a short and sweet rainforest loop beginning from the same trailhead. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Photo by trip reporter neverstophiking. This line is now the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe. You can click on the links in the content menu above to skip to each section. Sams Walker is a secluded gravel trail with interpretive panels that crosses historic farmland. Views across the river and into Oregon from atop Cape Horn. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic area charges a $5 day use fee per vehicloe (payable on site in a drop box, or buy your annual Northwest Forest Pass in advance or a day pass online). Drive east in search of outdoor adventure this year, and youll find your options limited. Listed at 213 feet high, Elowah Falls is considered one of the tallest waterfalls in the Gorge, reason alone to visit. Latourell Falls - CLosest to the city (pictured above) Wildflowers/Meadows As of Oct. 7, 2020, the reservation system for accessing falls has been temporarily suspended. The trail follows the first 31 miles of an old rail corridor that once linked Lyle to Goldendale. The huge trees, the cascading moss, the birds and Roosevelt elk, the Olympic Mountains rising above and the broad river valley extending up and downstream, all make this a hike that must be done at least once in a lifetime. Youll have to huff and puff your way up some switch-backs from the Historic Columbia River Highway trailhead to be rewarded with the panoramic views this popular Columbia Gorge hiking trail offers. The biggest challenge is the tiny parking lot. Locals Tip: Rowena Plateauis one of the best wildflower hikes in the Columbia Gorge. The best spring hikes in their state are a lot closer to us here in Portland, on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. The trail: Six and a half miles of new trail is open this spring on Dalles Mountain, in a figure eight configuration between the upper and lower trailheads. You can get lost in the hundreds of miles of trails within the gorge, which makes it hard to pick the best hikes when visiting. I added this on after falls creek falls. Whether you've just moved to Washington state or you just want to show off Washington's stellar hiking trails to your out-of-state visitors, this list of hikes shows off some of Washington's best trail diversity. Even though the falls is beautiful, I wouldn't recommend this hike to everyone and especially to people hiking with kids or dogs. Ever since the 2011 demolition of the Condit Dam, the White Salmon River has been flowing free much to the delight of Washington rafters. > Plan your visit to Hoh Rainforest using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Olympic Peninsula PacificCoastLength: 4 miles, roundtripElevation Gain: minimalBest Season: Year-round. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A backpacking favorite where you can spend a dayor a weekexploring the wonders of this alpine landscape. It was tough, but taken together, we felt these hikes do a great job of showing off Washington's incredible trail diversity. Known for its stunning wildflower display come spring and the tough hike up to the top Dog Mountain is one of the most popular spots in the gorge for good reason. Columbia River Gorge Wildflower Types Purple Lupine Among them is one through the Labyrinth, an area of rugged basalt formations transected by a boot-created path. That gives it more openings in the forest and more room for dense concentrations of wildflowers to grow, though you could say that about Tom McCall Preserve and Sevenmile Hill in Oregon, too. Some is visible to the public, but the ancient She Who Watches petroglyph can be viewed only via ranger-guided tours. Rugged hikers and rock climbers love the challenging but short interior trail. The Gorge has a very special place in my heart, which is why I spend most of my summer weekends there now. Skamania County is running weekend shuttles there. Keep going up the trail and about 1 mile into your hike youll start to see waterfalls. Trail closed due to the 2017 Eagle Creek fire. Given the Eagle Creek fire, officials have gotten serious about limiting access. With towering granite peaks, forests, meadows, wildflowers, and of course the beautiful mountain lake surrounded by granite that reaches for the sky, this short hike is easily a classic and should be on your must-hike list. Were seeing all that pressure cross the river and cause more than just congestion issues, but real safety issues at trailheads, said Renee Tkach, a project manager with Friends of the Columbia Gorge. Or, wander at will on the park's 3,338 acres, or drive/hike the road 1.3 miles above the ranch house to a locked gate. > Plan your visit to Kettle Crest using WTA's Hiking Guide, Washington Trails Association The scenery: For more than a decade the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area has been acquiring land in the Catherine Creek area, an open landscape of grassy slopes punctuated by oak forests. The Goat Rocks Wilderness is a beauty, and this less-traveled access point is a great way to explore the area for yourself. Here we present five great spring hikes on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. That being said, these views are absolutely worth breaking a sweat for. General Information Directions: From Bingen, WA: Travel east on Washington State Highway 14 approximately 4.6 miles to mile post 71 and the junction with County Road 1230 on the left.Turn left onto County Road 1230 at Rowland Lake and follow it 1.4 miles to the Catherine Creek trailhead parking lot on the north side of the road.. From Lyle, WA: Travel west on Washington State Highway 14 . Photo by trip reporter mytho-man. > Plan your visit to Rialto and Hole-in-the-Wall using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Olympic Peninsula Northern CoastLength:6.25 miles, roundtripElevation Gain: 1,254 feetHighest Point: 6,454 feetBest Season: July - August. With so many mountain hikes to choose from, many hikers forget about the glories of Washington's coast. For more info go to Cape Horn Conservancy's webpage at http://www.capehorntrail.org/, Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, Pennsylvania. Go Hiking Hiking Guide Dog Mountain Dog Mountain Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA 45.6993, -121.7066 Map & Directions Length 6.0 miles, roundtrip Elevation Gain 2,800 feet Highest Point 2,948 feet Calculated Difficulty Hard The views from Puppy Lookout on Dog Mountain trail are incredible. : 7.5 miles, roundtrip: 2,400 feet. But there are, in fact, plenty of good reasons to cross the Columbia, to visit the oft-jilted Washington side of the gorge. An 8-mile hike will take you to the top and back, but you can also challenge yourself to a 16-mile trek from the Bonneville Dam. Naturally, hikers and bikers have been creating informal trails. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The Columbia River Gorge has some of the most incredible and breathtaking hiking trails in the world. At night, listen for the coyotes and count stars. The heavily switch-backed trail is outfitted with railings and bridge sections dating back to 1918. Youre in luck. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. THE VISTA HOUSE The Vista House sits on a rocky promontory, 693 ft above the Columbia River. But taking this semi-rigorous five-mile loop, which includes stretches of trails on Larch Mountain, Wahkeena Falls, and Return trails, allows you to ditch at least some of the crowds. But while Oregons most popular hiking trail in the Columbia Gorge doesnt lead to the tallest waterfall in the nation, it does lead to the tallest in the state. So lace up your boots for primo spring hiking with great views, more sun and less noise than across the river, because Oregon is the side with the interstate bhighway. Another similar paved trail is at Catherine Creek (see driving directions for the Labyrinth). Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The fullloop provides fantastic views of the Columbia River Gorge, an intimate look at the Cape Horn Falls and a challenging workout as it climbs and descends the rocky slopes of Cape Horn. Its public facilities are owned and operated by numerous agencies, including two state parks departments, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Land Management, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Friends organization, as well as some private landowners. But now, more folks than ever are seeking outdoor adventure on this side of the river. The park can have a million or more simultaneous yellow balsamroot blooms in late April and early May. I spent most of my high school and college years exploring the area on the weekends. This hike is a thrill for backpackers and day hikers alike. Caution is urged at Syncline, where a wrong move could mean serious injury or death. There is something incredibly magical about the Hoh. Sitting at the riverbank and offering unparalleled panoramic views from the top, if youre up for a hearty challenge, hike to the summit. Theres nothing like a good exhilarating hike, particularly in the PNW. Nowhere is there a better example of the range of hikes in the Columbia Gorge than the Oneonta Gorge hiking trail. Latourell Falls Mileage: 2.4 miles Parking Pass Required? Beacon Rock, an 848-foot-tall basalt monolith, is the aptly-named beacon of the Washington side of the gorge. East of Lyle, a gravel parking lot gets you into the Lyle Cherry Orchard. A short but very steep hike. Faded petroglyphs mark some of Horsethief Buttes rocks, testament to the longtime indigenous use of this eastern portal of the Gorge. So yes, in this way the Horsethief Butte trail is different from most of the Columbia Gorge hiking trails mentioned so far. And sure, nice-looking falls are in no short supply in the area, but the special ones are still worth calling out. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire impacted this trail and it was closed for 3+ years before re-opening in 2021. Seattle, WA 98104. Two hikes are on the Washington side, and the other two are easily accessible on the shadier, cooler Oregon side. The parking lot is small; the flat, gravel trail crosses wetlands offers great wildlife viewing and birding and interpretive panels and art. From March through May, there may be no prettier place to hike in. A nice bridge with an epic name, Bridge of the Gods is a $1 toll bridge that crosses the Columbia to Cascade Locks. The Steigerwald Lake refuge is a breath of fresh air east of Washougal, where meandering trails lead through a low-lying wetland and woodland home to herons, hawks, turtles and more. Many maps are incomplete; many parking areas and trailheads are easy to miss. But I do love the Washington side better in spring, because it faces south and gets more sun. Mount Misery isa delightful hike to the Oregon Butte Lookout, situated on a hilltop in the remote Blue Mountains. 31.6 miles from The Gorge Amphitheatre. Thats right, were saving the best for last. Between Bingen and Lyle you'll find the Catherine Creek trailhead, home to several gorgeous hikes (full of wildflowers every spring), including the popular Arch Loop Hike an easy, two-mile trek through the old Lauterbach Ranch, established as a scenic area in 1986. Keep on reading! Day hike it or backpack here in late summer or fall, when it really shows off the best of autumn foliage. Latourell Falls is the closest Columbia Gorge waterfall to Portland, which makes it one of the most popular hikes in the Gorge. You barely see another soul there, is Tkachs experience. The best spring hikes in their state are a lot closer to us here in Portland, on the Washington side of the Columbia gorge. Such a beautiful and unique waterfall. While not as popular as Willamette Valley vineyards, the Columbia River Gorge wine country has a lot to offer on the Washington side of the river, centered primarily around White Salmon and Lyle. The huge trees, the cascading moss, the birds and Roosevelt elk, the Olympic Mountains rising above and the broad river valley extending up and downstream, all make this a hike that must be done at least once in a lifetime. This hunk of rock in Banks Lake is a distinct example of massive Ice Age floods 15,000 years ago. The high-traffic Multnomah Falls Recreation Area is currently in a limited reopening due to the social distancing measures enacted by local and state health officials. It runs 30 miles north and east, though is again having contentious right-of-way issues following a recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings on rail-trails. St. The falls were beautiful. When most hikers refer to Blue Lake, this is the one they're talking about. Make sure youre wearing sturdy hiking books with good traction because the switch-back is no stranger to loose rocks. Indeed, every inch of the trail treats hikers to the quintessential Pacific Northwest experience, which is why this is consider one of the best hikes in the Columbia Gorge. The trail: Walk the paved road back to State Route 14, then go west on the abandoned road above the highway. The 5-mile trail is located near the tiny town of Stevenson. Washougals Gorge: Take a peek at the Gorges scenic wonders without leaving Clark County. Save a visit to this dramatic state park for spring or fall (when things cool off). Located in Harker Heights,TX, the Best Western Harker Heights is sure to provide a peaceful and comforting home away from home for any traveler. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Indeed, its these mystical fairy-tale like features that make Oneonta Gorge one of the best hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. Among the grandest views in the Gorge lures hardy hikers to the summit of Mount Defiance. Phlox, penstemon, lupine, bistort, larkspur and more greet hikers here. For some reason maybe lots of waterfalls, maybe Multnomah Lodge, maybe groovy towns such as Hood River the Oregon side has always been more popular with hungry adventurers than our side. A classic Mount St. Helens hike, leaving from the Johnston Ridge Observatory. Explore the geology and admire the unparalleled views. Hike an iconic section of the PCT north of Snoqualmie Pass. reviewed Spirit Falls Trail. Take Highway 141 north to Husum, right onto gravel Indian Creek Road, left onto Indian Cemetery Road. At this point you may be wondering about this cheeky gorge of ours. Cape Disappointment is a stunning getawayspanning the southwestern tip of our state -- and despite the name, it is anything but disappointing. Follow the path 2,000 feet up to the tree line, passing through the Labyrinth formations. Alas, unless you arrive here early, youll find it one of the most overrun spots in the Gorge. AllTrails has 68 great trails for hiking, birding, and walking and more. Hiking poles might be nice as it is steep in parts. The start of the show the Rowena Plateau immerses you in almost dreamlike beauty, especially in the spring months. 25 Incredible Washington State Hikes to Add to Your Hiking Bucket List Here are our favorite hikes, in order of our preference. Here are 20. St. Helens. . . The trail: There's no way to sugarcoat this muscle burner, especially for out-of-shape spring hikers. A stunning North Cascades alpine hike just south of Mount Baker. single. White Bluffs is divied up into three sections -- North, Central Slope, and South Slope -- and all three are worth a visit. Beacon Rock, an 848-foot-tall basalt monolith, is the aptly-named beacon of the Washington side of the gorge. The Columbia River Gorge. Trails are for hikers, bikers and equestrians. The miners who originally constructed it had little time for switchback or nicely graded trails. Going to the Dog: Dog Mountain, a short, steep, super-popular climb because of its stunning wildflowers, has been overrun for years. Dress warmly in spring. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Augspurger Mountain, WA Expert: 12.5 miles | 4400 ft. Balfour-Klickitat Loop, WA Easy: 0.75 miles | 150 ft. Beacon Rock, WA Easy: 1.8 miles | 680 ft. Benson Plateau Loop, OR Expert: 16.2 miles | 4080 ft. Mt. Most of the Columbia River Gorge's waterfalls are located on the Oregon side, but not this beauty. The defining vibe of the Columbia Gorge is sprawling grandeur, with the huge river muscling between soaring (and often mist-scrawled) cliffs. Thats quite dangerous and usually illegal, Lipman said. WTA has been hard at work here building new trail, so you have even more miles of wandering to enjoy here. Explore one of 4 easy hiking trails in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area that are great for the whole family. Journey through old-growth forests and desert prairies or hike to the top . This 57,000-year-old volcanic rock is part of the same (hilariously named) Boring Volcanic Field that peppers the east side of Portland with little buttes. Rugged hikers and rock . This little-known gem of a hike on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge offers spectacular views of the Columbia River, amazing spring wildflowers and an old garry oak forest of gnarled old trees.
best hikes in the gorge washington side
