Friday Hiking

image_pdfDownload PDF (be patient)image_printPrint Page

Views on the Catherine Creek hike with grass widows blooming in March

2022 Schedule – Newcomers Friday Hikes

The following hiking schedule is weather and Coronavirus dependent and thus subject to change or cancellation. Rained-out hikes may be completed later in the fall if the weather holds.

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 know 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 $.25/mile/vehicle) equally by the total 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). This is a very secure system and more sanitary for everyone. You only need a phone number or email to pay or receive money from another person; you do not need to share any bank information.

• 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.

4/8 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.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 5 miles, 1340’ elevation gain
  • Hike Leader: Penny McLaren
  • Carpooling Fee: $27 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Weldon Wagon Trail.
  • Parking pass: None.

============================================

4/15 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.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 5.5 miles, 1000’ elevation gain.
  • Hike Leader: Dave Britton
  • Carpooling Fee: $28 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Catherine Creek.
  • Parking pass: None.

============================================

4/22 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.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 7.5 miles or 5 mi loop, 1000’ elevation gain
  • Hike Leader: Carol Frizzell
  • Carpooling Fee: $25 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Falls Creek Falls.
  • Parking pass: NW Forest.

============================================

4/29 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 8:00 at Fred Meyer (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station).  Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Strenuous 9 miles, 2400’ elevation gain w/moderate option (8 mi, 1600′)
  • Hike Leader: Richard Bean
  • Carpooling Fee: $14 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Multnomah Falls
  • Parking pass: None.

============================================

5/6 Columbia Gorge – TRIPLE FALLS & ONEOTA CREEK. Hike out and back on the
newly re-opened Gorge trail passing waterfalls on the way to Triple Falls. Past Triple
Falls hike farther along Oneonta Creek for the full length of the trail, adding to the diffi–
culty. Meet at 8:00 Fred Meyers (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station). Con–
tact hike leader if you plan to join.

• TRAIL STATS: Moderate to difficult 5 miles, 2000’ elevation gain
• HIKE LEADER: Penny McLaren
• CARPOOLING FEE: $17 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
• TRAILHEAD: Horsetail Falls, Columbia River Gorge
• PARKING PASS: none

============================================

5/11 (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 Fred Meyer (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station).  Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Strenuous 7 miles loop, 2900’ elevation gain
  • Hike Leader: Dave Britton
  • Carpooling Fee: $25 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Dog Mountain.
  • Parking pass: NW Forest.

============================================

5/13 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.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate to strenuous 9 miles loop, 2100’ elevation gain
  • Hike Leader: Meg Tung
  • Carpooling Fee: $10 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Hamilton Mountain.
  • Parking pass: WA Discover Pass.

============================================

5/20 Columbia Gorge – ANGEL’S REST.  Hike through forests to switchbacks to Angel’s Rest viewpoint.  Meet 8:00 at Fred Meyer (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station).   Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 5 miles, 1500’ elevation gain
  • Hike Leader: Chuck Chenault
  • Carpooling Fee: $13 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Angel’s Rest.
  • Parking pass: None.

============================================

6/3 Gifford Pinchot National Forest – TARBELL TRAIL TO HIDDEN FALLS.  This trail is part of the Bells Mountain/Tarbell Trail.  Walk through woods down to Hidden Falls.  Meet 8:00 at Fred Meyer (7411 NE 117th Ave, south parking lot near garden center). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 10 miles, 1100’ elevation gain
  • Hike Leader: Carol Frizzell
  • Carpooling Fee: $14 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Tarbell.
  • Parking pass: WA Discover Pass.

============================================

6/10 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.

  • Trail Stats: Difficult 9 mile loop, 2200’ elevation gain
  • Hike Leader: Meg Tung
  • Carpooling Fee: $10 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Equestrian Trailhead.
  • Parking pass: WA Discover Pass.

============================================

6/17 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 8:00 at Fred Meyer (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station).  Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 8 miles, 1500’ elevation gain
  • Hike Leader: Chuck Chenault
  • Carpooling Fee: $27 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Mirror Lake.
  • Parking pass: NW Forest.

============================================

6/24 Mt St. Helens – Harry‘s Ridge.  Moderate hike with Mt St. Helens nearly always in view.  We will see Mt Adams and Spirit Lake from Harry’s Ridge.  Bring lots of water, a hat and sunscreen as this is a dry, exposed trail. (Hikers seeking more of a challenge can continue on the Boundary Trail to Coldwater Peak [12 miles RT, 3068’ elevation gain].  Meet 8:00 at Albertsons (14300 NE 20th Ave, park by Starbucks end).  Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats:  Moderate 8 miles, 1600’ elevation gain
  • Hike Leader: Barbara Pierce
  • Carpooling Fee:  $47 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead:  Johnston Ridge Observatory
  • Parking pass:  NW Forest or America the Beautiful

============================================

7/8 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 8:00 at Fred Meyer (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station).  Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 8 miles, 1500’ elevation gain
  • Hike Leader: Barbara Pierce
  • Carpooling Fee: $27 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Mirror Lake.
  • Parking pass: NW Forest.

============================================

7/15 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.  Potholes have been repaired.  Beautiful views of Mt. Hood. Meet 8:00 at Fred Meyer (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station).  Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Strenuous 10 miles, 2370’ elevation gain (Optional 7 mi, 1500’ to Burnt Lake)
  • Hike Leader: Richard Bean
  • Carpooling Fee: $26 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Burnt Lake.
  • Parking pass: NW Forest.

============================================

7/22 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.

  • Trail Stats: Difficult to Strenuous 9 miles, 2300’ elevation gain to Indian Pits.
  • Hike Leader: Meg Tung
  • Carpooling Fee: $9 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Grouse Vista.
  • Parking pass: WA Discover Pass

============================================

7/29 Mt. Hood – RAMONA FALLS.  Great views of Mt. Hood. River crossing on logs since bridge is out. Beautiful views of Mt. Hood. Meet 8:00 at Fred Meyer (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • TRAIL STATS: Moderate 7 miles, 1000’ elevation gain.
  • HIKE LEADER: Dave Britton
  • CARPOOLING FEE: $30 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • TRAILHEAD: Ramona Falls.
  • PARKING PASS: NW Forest.

============================================

8/5 Columbia Gorge – LARCH MOUNTAIN.  Uphill walk through old volcano crater with old-growth forest, meadows and a mossy creek. Famous panoramic viewpoint atop 4055-foot volcanic peak.  Beautiful views of Mt. Hood. Meet 8:00 at Fred Meyer (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station).  Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 6 miles, 1300’ elevation gain.
  • Hike Leader: Chuck Chenault
  • Carpooling Fee: $22 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Larch Mountain.
  • Parking pass: NW Forest.

============================================

8/12 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 8:00 at Fred Meyers (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station).  Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 8 miles, 1000’ elevation gain.
  • Hike Leader: Ruth Fleming
  • Carpooling Fee:  $39 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead:  Mt Hood Meadows
  • Parking pass:  none.

============================================

8/19 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 Albertsons (14300 NE 20th Ave, park by Starbucks end).  Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Strenuous 12 miles, 2100’ elevation gain.
  • Hike Leader: Penny McLaren
  • Carpooling Fee: $36 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Ape Canyon.
  • Parking pass: NW Forest.

============================================

8/26 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.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 8 miles loop, 1200’ elevation gain.
  • Hike Leader: Chuck Chenault
  • Carpooling Fee: $5 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Park at Skamania County Public Transit Park & Ride.
  • Parking pass: None.

============================================

9/9 Columbia Gorge – EAGLE CREEK. Strenuous with moderate options.  Cliff areas with cable for handrails. Numerous waterfalls and creek views. Some rock slide 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.

  • Trail Stats:  Strenuous to Turnaround Falls, 12 miles, 1200’ elevation gain.  Optional moderate, 7 miles, 600’ to High Bridge or 8 miles round trip to Crossover Bridge.
  • Hike Leader:  Chuck Chenault
  • Carpooling Fee:  $18 per vehicle + $6 bridge toll to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead:  Eagle Creek.
  • Parking pass:  NW Forest.

============================================

9/16 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 8:00 at Fred Meyer (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station).  Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 7 miles, 1200’ elevation gain.
  • Hike Leader: Richard Bean
  • Carpooling Fee: $39 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Elk Meadows.
  • Parking pass: NW Forest.

============================================

9/23 Gifford Pinchot – INDIAN HEAVEN RACETRACK TO RED MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT.  Trail rutted from horses. 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.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 7 miles, 1600’ elevation gain.
  • Hike Leader: Dave Britton
  • Carpooling Fee: $32 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Indian Heaven Racetrack.
  • Parking pass: NW Forest.

============================================

9/30 Mt. Hood – MCNEIL POINT.  Spectacular wildflowers and one of the best views of Mt Hood.  The last portion of the hike to McNeil Point has a very steep section and might have a snowfield to traverse.  Meet at 8:00 Fred Meyers (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station).  Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Strenuous 10 miles, 2300’ elevation gain.
  • Hike Leader: Meg Tung
  • Carpooling Fee: $33 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • Trailhead: Top Spur.
  • Parking pass: NW Forest.

============================================

10/7 Gifford Pinchot – Indian Heaven, Cultus Lake.  Hike begins a steep ascent through a Douglas Fir forest and passes through meadows of huckleberries and heather, which in the fall are full of bright yellow and red colors. At the Waipiki overlook, enjoy clear, unobstructed views of nearby Mt Adams, Goat Rocks and Mt Rainier.  Meet 8:00 at Pendleton Mills parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • TRAIL STATS: Moderate 7 miles, 1600’ elevation gain.
  • HIKE LEADER: Dave Britton
  • CARPOOLING FEE: $52 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.
  • TRAILHEAD: Cultus Lake.
  • PARKING PASS: NW Forest.

============================================