Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
This very popular trail has a feast of features for hikers, including waterfalls, craggy cliffs, deep forests, superb vistas, and a loop option for the trek. The outing can done at any time of year although you will want to pay attention to icy spots in the winter. The summit itself is thicketed and offers limited views, but a bench a few yards back gives you a vista to the east of Table Mountain and the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. Other views come from the trail on the way up and at the Hamilton Mountain Saddle as you continue on the loop.
Activity Notes
We will meet at MMC and carpool out to the trailhead at Beacon Rock State Park. This moderately challenging Lollipop Loop has waterfalls, craggy cliffs, deep forests and superb views. We will hike to the summit and then go down to the Saddle where we will have lunch. We will then go down the road to take Don's Cutoff down to the Upper Hardy Creek Trail. From there, we will go back down to the trailhead.
There is a bathroom at the Trailhead. You will need a Discovery Pass.
This hike is 7.5 miles with a 2100 ft elevation gain.
https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Hamilton_Mountain_Loop_Hike
