Columbia Gorge

Hike a loop below Larch Mountain, starting and the top and descending down the southeast side below the crater and looping back to the top of Larch Mountain from the north.

Note: This route is a bit further than the 'standard' Larch Mountain Crater hike.

We’ll start at the Larch Mountain Parking Lot and take the newly established Goat trail down to the top of the Oneonta Trail #424. We take that trail down the ridge line to the Multnomah Spur Trail #446, using that to cross over Multnomah Creek at which point we’ll stop for a lunch break. Then continue over to the Larch Mountain Trail #441 and taking that back to the top, stopping at Sherrard Point before returning to the parking lot.

The first two miles are pretty much all down surrounded by tall evergreens. The next two miles are pretty level and you’ll find the trail surrounded by patches of lush moss and more tall trees. Finally, after crossing Multnomah Creek, the last two miles will involve about 1200 feet of steep up-hill.

Pace: Level 2 (2 to 2.5 mph) moderate pace, with time for breaks and enjoying the scenery.

We’ll carpool from Gateway Transit Center, meet at 8:00 am, departing at 8:10 am. Or, alternately, meet at the Larch Mountain parking lot at 9:00 am. Expect to return to the Gateway Transit Center by 4 pm.

Driving Distance from Gateway Transit Center 33 miles each way. (~50 minutes)

We will carpool from the MMC, leaving at 7:30 AM. We'll drive to Deschutes River State Park off of I - 84, past the Dalles. We'll start our hike at approximately 9 AM, on the Deschutes River Trail (Rails to Trails Trail). We will hike approximately 10 miles total, 5 miles out and back, at a moderate pace 2 to 2.5 mph. Expect exposure to the weather throughout the hike. The hike has a very gradual incline, but for the most part is flat. The cliffs, river and canyon are quite striking throughout. Good opportunities for photos.

Every time I've ever led the Dog Mountain Loop, we've gone up the nearest trail to the Columbia River and descended the Augspurger Trail, but when we reached the first spectacular viewpoint, we always went left to a zone that's often incredibly windy. I recently learned of an alternative to the windy zone popularly known as the Puppy Trail, but which on my map is labeled Dog Mountain Summit Trail, and I aim to take this route to the summit. That 0.6 mile trail will be exploratory for your leader, but I have good intelligence that the trail is in fine shape. As with the other times I've hiked this loop, we'll hike 6.9 miles, ascending 2,750'.

We can leave a little later than in the spring because the parking lot is not expected to fill as rapidly in mid November. But these trails are always popular and we won't be hiking alone. No permits are necessary outside spring weekends, but vehicles will need to display a NW Forest Pass or other federal pass. Our listed speed of 1.5 to 1.9 mph reflects my experience with groups on these steep trails.

A traditional (for me) post-Thanksgiving hike up the PCT to Benson Plateau after coming over from the Herman Creek trailhead. From one year to the next it can be a different experience. It's a long uphill pull until you reach the only open view. Some years that's as far as we got. From there it is still a mile and a half to the entryway to the plateau. I have no problem turning around if the conditions are too taxing or if the group gets too strung out.