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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
This is a provisional hike for Tom Lechner to become a Mazamas hike leader.
We will carpool from the MMC, departing at 8:30 am, or you can meet us at the trailhead at 9:15. A Washington Discover Pass or a $10 day pass is needed to park at the trailhead. We should be back at the MMC about 2:30 pm.
From the Hamilton Mountain Trailhead, we will hike up past Hardy and Rodney Falls with the Pool of the Winds, proceeding up the mountain past some cliffs and great views of Beacon Rock and the Gorge. After the summit, we will continue the loop down to the Saddle, and take Don's Cutoff down to the Hardy Creek Trail, finally passing by the waterfalls again on the way back to the trailhead. It will about 7.6 miles and 2100 ft elevation gain.
