best hikes in the gorge washington side

River to Rock: The Washington sides most famous site must be Beacon Rock, with its safe-but-vertiginous 848-foot, 52-switchback clamber up fenced-off stairs. And since this part of the state tends to show the first signs of spring, we thought we'd suggest a few hikes you can enjoy as early as April. Might I also be so bold as to recommend: http://www.outdoorproject.com/adventures/hiking-backpacking/cape-horn-loop-trail, The Cape Horn Trail has a beautiful waterfall that can be accessed on the lower part of the trail between July 1st and February 1st. I'm the co-organizer for NW Wilderness hiking group, on Meetup. And since this part of the state tends to show the first signs of spring, we thought wed suggest a few hikes you can enjoy as early as April. Dedicated to bringing to life "the human stories and natural history of one of our nation's most compelling landscapes," the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center on the edge of Stevenson is a must-see museum for visitors looking to learn about the Columbia River Gorge. Along with unobstructed panoramic views of Mount Baker, the Twin Sisters, and the rest of the North Cascades, the route to Park Butte offers campsites, wildflower-filled alpine meadows, rushing waterfalls, and a stunning variety of mushroom species. Nearing the summit, youll traverse typical Cascadian forests full of of noble firs and shaggy mountain hemlock. 2023Outdoor Project. Dog Mountain Trail Shawna McDonald / alltrails.com Classic, wide, central Washington views. To get there, turn into the hamlet of North Bonneville and take West Cascade Drive to Portage Drive. We have more rolling hills and carpeted meadows of wildflowers, but our hikes are less hardcore, said Washington State Parks spokeswoman Meryl Lipman. The 1,049-acre Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge marks the east end of Washougal and the west end of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. You can't go wrong finding wildflowers at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. Continue until you reach the summer where you can park yourself at the various viewpoints. 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. It's also home to the first full-service state park on the drive east down State Route 14. For good and for ill, Oregons loss is Washingtons gain. A little east of there you can walk around, or climb up and through, a basalt castle called Horsethief Butte. 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. 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. Youll also enjoy some full-on forest bathing on this easy Columbia Gorge hike. The roughly 90 mile long canyon cuts . The Beacon Rock Trail is only a mile in length, and despite a steep climb, most beginners can handle it easily. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire impacted this trail and it was closed for 3+ years before re-opening in 2021. Better safe than sorry, check this resource before heading out. I don't accept sponsorships to ensure that the information we share is unbiased and honest. The views stretch past Columbia Gorge ramparts such as Shellrock, Wind, Dog, and Table mountains beyond to the great snow-capped peaks of Mounts Hood, St. Helens, Rainier, and Adams. Don't underestimate this one based on the mileage. Make sure youre wearing sturdy hiking books with good traction because the switch-back is no stranger to loose rocks. Among them is one through the Labyrinth, an area of rugged basalt formations transected by a boot-created path. Fret not, the power line portion is brief, stay the course and make the steep ascent to the summit. Located about 2-miles into the epic Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge, Punch Bowl Falls is an aptly-named iconic Oregon waterfall well worth exploration. All rights reserved (About Us). Want to learn more about them? 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). Try Tuesday through Thursday rather than Saturday or Sunday. Beautiful Cape Horn is one of the closest trails to Portland/Vancouver along State Route 14, a 7-mile hike with several great viewpoints (including the Nancy Russell Overlook), found just east of Washougal. We hope people will be patient., Heres our patient, practical guide to the Washington side this year, with a special eye toward the hidden gems that most visitors overlook as they crowd the famous sites. The work: Seven-mile loop; 2,000-foot gain. > Plan your visit to Mount Misery using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Selkirk RangeLength:44 miles, one-wayElevation Gain:8,000 feetHighest Point: 7,140feetBest Season:June - October. Thats right, were saving the best for last. Explore one of 4 easy hiking trails in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area that are great for the whole family. Listed at 213 feet high, Elowah Falls is considered one of the tallest waterfalls in the Gorge, reason alone to visit. You may have trouble parking your car before you go exploring your parks. 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. Up and around: Birders, wildflower peepers and archaeology lovers all dig Columbia Hills Historical State Park, which combines several sites and straddles the highway about 100 miles from Vancouver. A backpacking favorite where you can spend a dayor a weekexploring the wonders of this alpine landscape. Naturally, hikers and bikers have been creating informal trails. . and offers unparalleled views of the (rather, ahem, suggestive?) And if this 0.8-mile mosey to the waterfall only wets your whistle, you can tack on a longer hike to the twin-barrel drop of Upper McCord Creek Falls. Ascending such a distinctive spire is thrilling and doesnt lose its magic, regardless of how many times youve been to the summit. These inedible sights are unforgettable and made the strenuous effort worthwhile. Its a very different ecosystem, much more desert, but very beautiful in its own right, said Lipman. > Plan your visit to Blue Lake using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: North Cascades -- Mount Baker AreaLength: 7.5 miles, roundtripElevation Gain: 2,200 feetHighest Point: 5,450 feetBest Season: Late summer - fall. More LOCAL to Love. Photo by trip reporter TheKingBoar. Allow me to share some helpful info about the Columbia River Gorge. . Some is visible to the public, but the ancient She Who Watches petroglyph can be viewed only via ranger-guided tours. An abundance of wildflowers in Spider Meadow. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Columbia River Gorge. Just remember that the lower part of the loop is closed from February 1st through July 15th to safeguard nesting peregrine falcons, though you can still enjoy a rewarding out-and-back during that window. > Plan your visit to Naches Peak using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Mount Rainier Area NE - Sunrise/White RiverLength:9.0 miles, roundtripElevation Gain:2,500 feetHighest Point:7,828 feetBest Season:Mid-July - October. The Gorge has a very special place in my heart, which is why I spend most of my summer weekends there now. The huge basaltic alcove Elowah Falls commands (which practically glowing green with lichen! There are plenty of trails to choose from across the park. This Columbia Gorge hiking trail takes you down a scenic tour of the Columbia River. Directions Print/PDF map Length 6.5 miElevation gain 2,988 ftRoute type Loop Enjoy this 6.5-mile loop trail near Carson, Washington. > Plan your visit to Park Butte using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: North Cascades -- Mountain Loop HighwayLength:9.2 miles, roundtripElevation Gain:2,840 feetHighest Point: 5,200 feetBest Season:Late July - mid-October. Turn left, then drive north and east around Rowland Lake for 1.4 miles to Catherine Creek trailhead. From the 55-foot curtain of Ecola Falls to the meandering 242-foot drop of Wahkeena Falls, this long Columbia River Gorge hike makes for a memorable day. Faded petroglyphs mark some of Horsethief Buttes rocks, testament to the longtime indigenous use of this eastern portal of the 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. Here is a quick list of some of the best hikes in Washington! The tiered cliffs of Cape Horn, the riverfront basalt wall forming the southeastern foot of Mount Zion, serves as an unforgettable gateway to the western reach of the Columbia Gorge on the Washington side. Located on the Washington side, Ive lost count of the number of times Ive embarked on this scenic trail. We're incredibly lucky to share this area with Oregon, and in fact, some of the gorge's best hikes can be found on the Washington side. 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. Photo by trip reporter Mountain_Vagabond. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. This hike can be accessed via the Wahkeena trail (#420). A great gateway eminence on the western side of the Columbia Gorge, Angels Rest offers a stunning bare-rock promontory some 1,500 feet above river level. > Plan your visit to Burroughs Mountain using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: South Cascades Mount St. HelensLength: 8.2 miles, roundtripElevation Gain:970 feetHighest Point: 4,792 feetBest Season: Late June - November. Cmon now, you know the drill. Peaceful lakes, snow-capped mountain views, flower-filled ridgelines and more await you here. The drive: Take State Route 14 east of Vancouver to Old Highway 8 at milepost 70.9. Alas, unless you arrive here early, youll find it one of the most overrun spots in the Gorge. The drive: Take State Route 14 east of Vancouver to milepost 34.9. Photo by trip reporter Willow's Humans. Hood River might have the best trio of breweries in the gorge, but State Route 14 makes for an excellent beer tour itself. 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