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
Hamilton Mountain loop.
Distance: 7.5 miles
Elevation gain: 2100 feet
High point: 2,438 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking time: 4+ hours.
Meet at the MMC at 8 AM Saturday. We will carpool from there to the park which is on the Washington side of the gorge. Driving distance is 53 miles each way, taking about 1 hour. You need Washington Discover pass to park at the Hamilton Mountain state park ( can buy at the trailhead).
We will hike up past lovely Hardy Falls to the summit (some steep spots and great views). Then down the open ridge with views of Mt. Adams to a Junction (lunch spot). Down Equestrian trail to Don's cutoff. Continue down Hardy creek trail to join the ascent route. Retrace steps back to trailhead.
