Friday Hiking



2023 Schedule – Newcomers Friday Hikes
The following hiking schedule is subject to change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions, etc.
If you plan to hike please call or email the hike leader a day or two in advance of the hike AND LEAVE YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER. Let the leader where you will meet the group especially if the hike has two meeting locations. Always bring lunch and water. Rain gear is recommended for most early hikes. Hiking boots are recommended for most hikes. If you have any doubts or questions about the hike discuss them with the hike leader prior to the scheduled hike.
Getting to the Trailhead
• CARPOOLING. Carpooling from a local meeting point to the trailhead is an option for those who have been fully vaccinated. As reimbursement to the driver (for fuel and wear n’ tear), our policy is to share the cost (at a rate of 30¢/mile/vehicle) equally by all in the car including the driver. This cost is included in the hike description. You may pay in cash or preferably electronically (e.g., Zelle, Apple Pay). In the spirit of sharing cost, in the unlikely event of vandalism at the trailhead to one of our cars, everyone who carpooled that day in any of the carpool cars will share in the cost of car repair.
• DRIVE YOURSELF. Driving yourself and meeting the group at the trailhead is always an option. All the trailheads are in Google Map.
Golden Age Passport/Interagency Senior Pass & NW Forest Pass are interchangeable. The Discover Pass needed for Hamilton Mountain, Hardy Ridge, Dog Mountain, and Silver Star is a separate pass.
4/7 Columbia Gorge – WELDON WAGON TRAIL
Moderate hike on old trail used to transport apples in gorge. Wildflowers galore in the spring. Meet 8:00 at Pendleton Mills parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate 5 miles, 1340’ elevation gain
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Hike Leader: Jan White
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Carpooling Fee: $33 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver
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Trailhead: Weldon Wagon Trail
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Parking Pass: None
4/14 Columbia Gorge – CATHERINE CREEK LABYRINTH
Hike by waterfall, oak groves to vistas over the Columbia. Peak wildflower displays: grass widows in March, blue camas in April. Open country with spectacular views. Possible ticks and poison oak. No cliff-edge trails. Meet 8:00 at Pendleton Mills parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate 5.5 miles, 1000’ elevation gain
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Hike Leader: Dave Britton
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Carpooling Fee: $34 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver
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Trailhead: Catherine Creek
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Parking Pass: None
4/21 Columbia Gorge - STACKER BUTTE
Stunning views of the rolling hills of Oregon and parts of the Columbia Hills State Park, and the panorama is only going to improve as you ascend. The “trail” is a fine gravel, service road winding to the summit, but you’ll be happy it is, because the wide, flat track allows you to gawp in all directions as you climb. Be prepared for amazing views of all the big mountains. Meet 8:00 at Pendleton Mills parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate to difficult 8 miles, 2000’ elevation gain
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Hike Leader: Jan White
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Carpooling Fee: $43 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver
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Trailhead: Dalles Mountains Ranch
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Parking Pass: WA Discover
4/28 Columbia Gorge - WAHKEENA FALLS to DEVIL’S REST
Devil’s Rest looms some 900 ft above Angel’s Rest. While the summit offers no views whatsoever at its mossy rock pile, there are however commanding views east from clifftop perches nearby. Option for return loop via Multnomah Falls. Meet at 8:00 Fred Meyers (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Strenuous 9 miles, 2400’ elevation gain w/ moderate option (8 mi, 1600’)
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Hike Leader: Meg Tung
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Carpooling Fee: $17 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver
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Trailhead: Multnomah Falls
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Parking Pass: None
5/5 Columbia Gorge - TOM MCCALL PRESERVE
This trail offers grasslands, basalt cliffs, and scrub oak forests form the landscape you’ll hike through on a trail that climbs steadily with ever-increasing views. Stunning wild flowers in the spring. Meet at 8:00 Fred Meyers (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate 5 miles, 1300’ elevation gain
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Hike Leader: Meg Tung
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Carpooling Fee: $44 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Tom McCall Point
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Parking Pass: OR State Park
5/12 Columbia Gorge – HAMILTON MOUNTAIN
Moderate to strenuous hike, steep with open cliffs. Option of switchback avoidance going up the road, meeting group at the saddle & returning Don’s trail. Meet 8:00 at Pendleton Mills parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate to difficult 9 miles loop, 2100’ elevation gain
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Hike Leader: Carol Frizzell
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Carpooling Fee: $11 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver
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Trailhead: Hamilton Mountain
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Parking Pass: WA Discover Pass.
5/17 (Wed hike) Columbia Gorge - DOG MOUNTAIN
Optional shorter hike to first overlook. Usually quite cool and windy on top. Steep, open slope to traverse and quite slippery if wet. Beautiful wildflowers. Meet 8:00 at Pendleton Mills parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Strenuous 7 miles loop, 2900’ elevation gain
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Hike Leader: Richard Bean
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Carpooling Fee: $23 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver
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Trailhead: Dog Mountain
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Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful
5/19 Columbia Gorge – ANGEL’S REST
Hike through forests to switchbacks to Angel’s Rest viewpoint. Meet at 8:00 Fred Meyers (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SWn side by gas station). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate to difficult 9 miles loop, 2100’ elevation gain
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Hike Leader: Carol Frizzell
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Carpooling Fee: $11 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver
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Trailhead: Hamilton Mountain
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Parking Pass: WA Discover Pass
6/2 Gifford Pinchot – FALLS CREEK FALLS
Moderate hike through forest to top of falls, then down a slope to a spectacular triple-tiered waterfall with a 250 ft. fall. Stream crossing. Potholes on road. Meet 8:00 at Pendleton Mills parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate 7.5 miles or 5 mi loop, 1000’ elevation gain
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Hike Leader: Richard Bean
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Carpooling Fee: $29 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Falls Creek Falls.
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Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful.
6/9 Columbia Gorge – HARDY RIDGE
Hike an equestrian trail to a rocky ridge top wildflower garden that overlooks the Columbia River, Beacon Rock and Hamilton Mtn. Meet 8:00 at Pendleton Mills parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Difficult 9 mile loop, 2200’ elevation gain
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Hike Leader: Meg Tung
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Carpooling Fee: $12 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Equestrian Trailhead.
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Parking Pass: WA Discover Pass.
6/16 Mt. Hood – TOM DICK MOUNTAIN
Moderate hike through rhododendron forest and around Mirror Lake. Note the last few hundred yards are steep and rocky. Beautiful views of Mt. Hood. Meet at 8:00 Fred Meyers (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate 8 miles, 1500’ elevation gain
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Hike Leader: Chuck Chenault
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Carpooling Fee: $32 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Mirror Lake.
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Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful.
6/23 Yacolt Burn Forest – BELL MOUNTAIN
This is a recently built lollipop loop trail that takes you through a 3rd growth Douglas and hemlock fir forest before arriving at a summit with glorious mountain views. Meet 8:00 at Safeway/Albertsons (14300 NE 20th Ave, park by Starbucks end). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Mod to difficult 9 miles, 1950’ elevation gain
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Hike Leader: Barbara Pierce
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Carpooling Fee: $14 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Moulton Falls (27781 NE Lucia Falls Rd, Yacolt)
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Parking Pass: None
7/7 Mount Hood – CENTRAL SALMON RIVER/SALMON RIVER CANYON
Hike upriver through old growth Douglas fir forest, then uphill to spectacular views of Salmon River’s huge canyon land. Meet 8:00 at Fred Meyers (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate 8 miles, 1,100 elevation gain
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Hike Leader: Penny McLaren
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Carpooling Fee: $28 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Parking Pass: NW Forest Pass.
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Trailhead: Salmon River.
7/14 Mt Hood – BURNT LAKE/ZIG ZAG MOUNTAIN
Moderate option to Burnt Lake, climb to Zig Zag is more strenuous. Great views and some steep cliff-side drops. Hikers should carpool together based on length of hike they intend to make. Beautiful views of Mt. Hood. Meet at 8:00 Fred Meyers (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Strenuous 10 miles, 2370’ elevation gain (Optional 7 mi, 1500’ to Burnt Lake)
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Hike Leader: Chuck Chenault
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Carpooling Fee: $31per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Burnt Lake.
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Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful.
7/21 SW Washington – SILVER STAR MOUNTAIN via GROUSE VISTA trailhead
Rocky trail with amazing views of the 5 mountains at the summit. Meet 8:00 at Pendleton Mills parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Difficult to Strenuous 9 miles, 2300’ elevation gain to Indian Pits.
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Hike Leader: Dave Britton
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Carpooling Fee: $11 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Grouse Vista.
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Parking Pass: WA Discover Pass
7/28 SW Washington – RED ROCK PASS to LOOWIT TRAIL
This moderate trail in Mt. St. Helens Monument area goes through lava flows to meadows with huckleberries to mixed forest damaged by snows. Meet 8:00 at Safeway (14300 NE 20th Ave, park by Starbucks end). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate 8 miles, 1700’ elevation gain.
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Hike Leader: Barbara Pierce
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Carpooling Fee: $33 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Red Rock Pass.
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Parking Pass: None.
8/4 Columbia Gorge – EAGLE CREEK
Strenuous with moderate options. Cliff areas with cable for handrails. Numerous waterfalls and creek views. Some rockslide areas to traverse. Rocky parts of the trail may be slippery when wet. Beautiful views of Mt. Hood. Meet 8:00 at Pendleton Mills parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Strenuous to Tunnel Falls, 12 miles, 1200’ elevation gain. Optional moderate, 7 miles, 600’ to High Bridge or 8 miles RT to Crossover Bridge.
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Hike Leader: Penny McLaren
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Carpooling Fee: $19 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Eagle Creek.
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Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful
8/11 Mt. Hood – Mt HOOD MEADOWS
We will climb up the upper Umbrella Falls trail to Timberline Trail, then continue hike through the Mt. Hood Meadows ski area and descend on some new trails to Umbrella Falls. Waterproof boots and poles are recommended for water crossings. Beautiful flowers. Mostly sunny with areas of shade from trees. Meet at 8:00 Fred Meyers (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate 8 miles, 1000’ elevation gain.
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Hike Leader: Ruth Fleming
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Carpooling Fee: $40 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Mt Hood Meadows
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Parking Pass: none.
8/18 Mt. St. Helens – APE CANYON
Trail climbs along old growth forest ridge by mile wide mudflow to Plains of Abraham with mountain views. Meet 8:00 at Safeway (14300 NE 20th Ave, park by Starbucks end). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Strenuous 12 miles, 2100’ elevation gain.
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Hike Leader: Meg Tung
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Carpooling Fee: $36 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Ape Canyon.
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Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful.
8/25 Gifford Pinchot - LITTLE HUCKLEBERRY MOUNTAIN
Climb to the top of Little Huckleberry Mountain where, on a clear day, you can enjoy views of the area’s major volcanoes: Mt Rainier, Mt St. Helens, Mt Hood, and the particularly prominent Mt Adams, along with smaller surrounding mountains and the Indian Heaven Wilderness. Though steep at times, the summit and the huckleberries you’ll find along the way make this hike worthwhile. Meet 8:00 at Pendleton Mills parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate to difficult 5 miles, 1800’ elevation gain
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Hike Leader: Penny McLaren
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Carpooling Fee: $36 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Little Huckleberry.
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Parking Pass: none.
9/1 Bonus Hike (Friday) Mt. St. Helens APE CAVE (upper trail)
The 1.5 mile upper cave route leads to a climb up an eight foot rock wall and scramble over rock piles, then an exit on a ladder and a 1.5 mile above ground hike back to the parking lot. Even though it sounds short, it is a slow-going trek to get over rocks in the dark without tripping. The cave temperature is 42 degrees F/5.6 degrees C year-round so bring warm clothing, even in warm weather. Make sure to bring two sources of light per person (a headlamp is great so you have hands free, but a cell phone light is not bright enough). Food and drink is not allowed in the cave, water is okay. There is some question if the rope is available at the 8-foot wall.
A timed ticket reservation is required for each car parking in the lot. We suggest the 9:00 to 9:30 entry time to make the reservation. We can determine who will purchase a parking ticket/pass when we know how many drivers and riders we have. More details here: https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086990
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MEET at 8:00 am. Safeway (14300 NE 20th Ave, park by Starbucks end).
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Trail stats: Difficult 3 miles round trip, uneven surface, boulders and obstacles
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Hike Leader: Penny McLaren
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Carpooling Fee: $31 per vehicle share by riders and driver
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Parking Pass: NW Forest Pass or Senior pass required
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AND a parking pass for the parking lot at Ape Cave. Must be purchased in advance online, found here: https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086990
9/8 Columbia Gorge – CAPE HORN
Columbia Gorge views. Loose rocks and steep drop-offs on some portions of trail. Meet 8:00 at Pendleton Mills parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate 8 miles loop, 1200’ elevation gain.
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Hike Leader: Carol Frizzell
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Carpooling Fee: $6 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Park at Skamania County Public Transit Park & Ride.
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Parking Pass: None.
9/15 Mt. Hood - ELK MEADOWS
Hike the southeast flank of Mt. Hood along stream, (stream crossing) to old shelter in alpine wildflower meadow. Beautiful wild flower meadows and views of Mt. Hood. Meet at 8:00 Fred Meyers (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate 7 miles, 1200’ elevation gain.
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Hike Leader: Dave Britton
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Carpooling Fee: $39 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Elk Meadows.
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Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful.
9/22 Gifford Pinchot – INDIAN HEAVEN RACETRACK TO RED MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT
Huckleberries and mountain meadows to old Indian racetrack. Amazing 5-mountain views from Red Mountain Lookout. Meet 8:00 at Pendleton Mills parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate 7 miles, 1600’ elevation gain.
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Hike Leader: Jan White
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Carpooling Fee: $32 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Indian Heaven Racetrack
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Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful.
9/29 Mt. Hood – MCNEIL POINT
Spectacular wildflowers and possible flies. Suggest bringing bug net and jungle juice (regular insect repellant is not effective against flies). The last portion of the hike to McNeil Point has a very steep section and might have a snowfield to traverse. Beautiful views of Mt. Hood. Meet at 8:00 Fred Meyers (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Strenuous 10 miles, 2300’ elevation gain.
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Hike Leader: Dave Britton
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Carpooling Fee: $34 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: Top Spur.
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Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautifu
10/6 Gifford Pinchot – Indian Heaven, Junction Lake and Lemei Lake loop
This hike takes you through the heart of Indian Heaven country visiting multiple lakes as well as stretches of montane forest and open meadows. Expect to see beautiful fall colors. Many water crossings – waterproof shoes recommended. Meet 8:00 at Pendleton Mills parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join.
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Trail Stats: Moderate 9.2 miles, 900’ elevation gain.
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Hike Leader: Jan White
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Carpooling Fee: $50 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
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Trailhead: East Crater.
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Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful.