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
Monday, November 11 - AYM Hike: Hamilton Mountain
Some of us have Veterans Day off, so let's go hiking! We'll hike to the summit of Hamilton Mountain, passing waterfalls and vistas along the way. This hike is a loop, 7.5 miles total, taking off from the Hamilton Mtn. Trailhead and leading through a Douglas Fir forest for about a mile before we hit the waterfalls cascading down from Hardy Creek. Then a steep climb beneath cliff faces and then switchbacks to a ridge and then the summit of “Little Hamilton” with great gorge views. From there it’s another mile towards the summit, which has disappointing views so we’ll hike past it to enjoy better landscapes and lunch at the top of the plateau. We will then loop around the west side of Hamilton Mountain to return to Pool of the Winds, and from there resume the main trail back to the parking lot.
November 11 is a free day in Washington State Parks, so no Discover Pass is required. This hike will be limited to 12 participants.
Distance: 7.5 mile semi-loop
Elevation gain: 2,100 feet
Drivetime from Portland: 45 minutes each way
Meet at Gateway Transit Center at 8:00AM. See you on the trail!
