Gorge Hikes, Washington
Dog Mountain | 6 miles | 2800 ft of elevation gain | May is the time to visit! It’s a steep hike through forest, but the expansive meadows of balsamroot (sunflower family) at the top are worth it!
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Hamilton Mountain Loop | 8 miles | 2200 ft of elevation gain | Great for views of the Gorge and waterfalls. The best views are not at the top but on the way, especially around Little Hamilton Mountain.
Table Mountain | 16 miles | 4300 ft of elevation gain | The toughest, longest Gorge hike on the Washington side, starting from the Bonneville trailhead on the PCT, past Gillette Lake, to the summit.
Archer Mountain | 5 miles | 1700 ft of elevation gain | A less popular trail, overgrown at times, less “polished”…but maybe that’s what you’re looking for. Key viewpoints are along the way (not the summit).
Coyote Wall | 6.5 miles | 1800 ft of elevation gain | A very exposed trail (suncreen and hat are essential!) but great for late spring wildflowers. The balsalmroot (sunflower-like) are everywhere! The open terrain means great Gorge views. Walking above and along the wall is cool.
Hardy Ridge Loop to Phlox Point | 8.5 miles | 2300 ft of elevation gain | Begins in the Beacon Rock State Park area and is a gradual climb until the difficult final stretch. Lots of wildflowers in May/June. Views of nearby Gorge peaks are year-round!
Aldrich Butte via Carpenters Meadow Trail | 3.5 miles | 1100 ft of elevation gain | Begin at Bonneville Hot Springs Resort ($10 to park) and head through an easy meandering forest path and over a couple creeks, then up the steep but straight and wide climb to the top of the Butte for great views.
Cape Horn | 7 miles | 1400 ft of elevation gain | Close to home (Camas) and a good one to visit in every season. I especially love the trillium in the Spring and the yellow leaves in the Fall. I usually start at the Salmon Falls Rd parking lot, but there are other good trailheads.
Cook Hill | 7.5 miles | 2800 ft of elevation gain | A lot like Dog Mountain, in some ways (and just a little east of it), but way less crowded. A solid option for Gorge views, easy to get too, and probably full of wildflowers in the spring (I went in winter, in the snow, which was tricky).
Duncan Creek | 4 miles | 1100 ft of elevation gain | When I say “Washington Gorge” hike I mean that the trailhead is on or very close to highway 14. There are no views of the Columbia River on this trail, but you won’t need them. The magic of this trail is in following the creek, in the many falls, and in the relatively secluded setting.