Hiking the Columbia River Gorge

by Russ Schneider

Overview

This guide describes a wide range of hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, from easy to very strenuous, accessible and remote. Detailed trail descriptions and mileages, suggestions on how to get the most from your hike (points of interest along the way, and some history and natural history of the area as well). Also included is information on how to find many of the Gorge’s waterfalls, for people who enjoy seeking those out. For backpackers, it has not only good route descriptions, but suggestions on hike variations and where the best campsites are located. Also included are recommendations for hiking to the best viewpoints in the gorge.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493052370
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	06/15/2022
Series:	Regional Hiking Series
Edition description:	Fourth Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Russ Schneider grew up hiking the wilds of the West. He moved to Portland to attend Reed College. While earning a degree in Portland, Russ visited the Gorge often for a taste of the wilderness. Its accessibility from the city and its truly wild character kept Russ hiking, and pretty soon he had hiked every one of the trails in this book. As a veteran hiker, guide, and author, Russ loves showing people the land. In addition to Hiking the Columbia River Gorge, he has authored Fishing Glacier National Park, and Backpacking Tips.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Fourth Edition ix

Introduction 1

A Geologic Overview of the Columbia River Gorge 1

The Waterfalls 2

Waterfall Types of the Columbia River Gorge 3

Scenic Area Regulations 5

Low-Impact Travel 6

Safety: Be Prepared 7

How to use this Guidebook 11

USGS Map Index 16

How to use the Maps in this Book 17

Hikes Grouped by Type 18

Oregon Side

Crown Point Scenic Corridor

1 Latourell Falls 24

2 Bridal Veil Falls 28

3 Coopey Falls 31

4 Angels Rest-Devils Rest 34

5 Wahkeena Falls to Devils Rest 39

Multnomah Falls Recreation Area

6 Multnomah Falls 46

7 Larch Mountain from Multnomah Falls 50

8 Larch Mountain Loop 54

9 Gorge Trail 400-Multnomah Falls to Ainsworth State Park 58

10 Horsetail and Ponytait Falls 62

11 Triple Falls 66

12 Oneonta Trail to Larch Mountain 69

John B. Yeon State Scenic Corridor

13 Elowah Falls 75

14 Upper McCord Creek Falls 78

15 Gorge Trail 400-John B. Yeon State Scenic Corridor to Tanner Creek 81

Tanner Creek Recreation Area

16 Wahclella Falls 85

17 Tanner Creek Trail 89

18 Tanner Butte 92

Eagle Creek Recreation Area

19 Eagle Creek Trail to Wahtum Lake 99

20 Punch Bowl Falls 104

21 Eagle Creek-Tanner Butte Loop 107

22 Wauna Viewpoint 113

Pacific Crest Trail, Oregon

23 Pacific Crest Trail to Dry Creek Falls 118

24 Pacific Crest Trail to Wahtum Lake 121

Herman Creek Area

25 Herman Creek Trail to Wahtum Lake 128

26 Casey Creek Loop 133

27 Indian Point Loop 137

28 Gorton Creek Trail to Rainy Lake 141

29 Wyeth Trail to North Lake 149

Starvation Falls, Viento State Park, and Mitchell Point Area

30 Lancaster Falls 152

31 Mount Defiance Trail 155

32 Starvation Ridge Trail 160

33 Wygant Trail and Perham Creek Loop 165

34 Mitchell Point Trail 170

Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail

35 Highway State Trail-John B. Yeon/Elowah Falls to Bridge of the Gods/Cascase Locks 174

36 Highway State Trail-Wyeth to Mitchell 177

37 Highway State Trail-Hood River to Mosier/Twin Tunnels Segment 180

Mayer State Park and Tom McCall Preserve

38 Rowena Plateau 185

39 McCall Point 189

Deschutes River Recreation Area

40 Deschutes River Trail 195

Washington Side

Cape Horn Scenic Corridor

41 Cape Horn Trail 200

Beacon Rock State Park

42 Beacon Rock 205

43 Rodney and Hardy Falls 208

44 Hamilton Mountain 212

Pacific Crest Trail, Washington

45 Gillette Lake 217

46 Table Mountain 221

Dog Mountain Trail System

47 Dog Mountain Loop 228

48 Augspurger Trail 232

The Lyle/Dalles Area

49 Coyote Wall Trail 236

50 Klickitat River Trail 240

51 Catherine Creek Natural Arch 244

52 Horsethief Butte 247

53 Columbia Hills 250

54 Lyle Cherry Orchard 253

Epilogue: Happy Hiking and Heavy Use 255

Appendix: Day and Overnight Checklists 257

Hike Index 260

About the Author and Contributors 261