Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
For a hike that gains almost exactly 4,000 feet, this excursion seems relatively forgiving for those in decent shape. The gain is, in fact, constant, and usually not steep enough to quicken your heart beat once you set your pace. The goal is the volcanic plug at the top of Larch Mountain known as Sherrard Point. The mountain itself is one of the three Boring stratovolcanoes (the others being Mount Sylvania and Highland Butte) and is the highest point in the west Gorge; thus, the views are expansive. In addition, throw in some imposing old-growth Douglas-firs and hemlocks, and a variety of Gorge blooms at Sherrard Point in the summer. The lower 4 1/2 miles of the route was scorched by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, with the understory burned out in lower sections and areas of crown fire as you get higher up. The Larch Mountain Trail crosses the westernmost tongue of the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. A car shuttle will make this a seven-mile traverse hike. More info: http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Larch_Mountain_Hike
Activity Notes
Starting from Multnomah Falls, we will ascend from Multnomah Creek via the partially burned Larch Mountain Trail to a different climactic zone, where it's possible we'll walk on snow. Our destination is the Sherrard Point overlook; if it's a clear day we'll be able to see many mountains. But this classic gorge hike is memorable in any weather, with the only downside being the hordes of casual hikers in the last mile of our descent.
| Other Information | |
|---|---|
| Driving Distance from Portland | 48 miles |
| Distance - Round Trip | 13 miles |
| Expected Duration | Car to car in one day |
| Relevant Maps | CG2 |
| Awards Qualified | Awesome Ridges Award, Gorge High Points, Wild Ones |
| Useful Links | GPS Coordinates Map |
