Clark County Newcomers Club

Friends Make Things Happen

Friday Hiking

2024 Schedule – Newcomers Friday Hikes

The following hiking schedule is subject to change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions, etc.

The hiking schedule is subject to change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions, etc.  If you plan to hike please contact the hike leader a day or two before the hike.   Aside from plenty of water/food, It is recommended that each hiker carry a first aid kit.  Other essential gear include sun protection and insect repellent.

 Getting to the Trailhead

  • Carpooling If you wish to carpool, 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.  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 the car repair.

  • Drive Yourself Driving yourself and meeting the group at the trailhead is always an option.  All the trailheads are in Google Map. 

Open Hike List
4/12 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: Linda Buckley

  • Carpooling Fee: $33 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver

  • Trailhead: Weldon Wagon Trail

  • Parking Pass: None

 

4/19 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. Meet at 8:00 Fred Meyers (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station) or 8:15 Pendleton parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join & indicate which location you’ll be.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 5.5 miles, 1000’ elevation gain

  • Hike Leader: Penny McLaren

  • Carpooling Fee: $34 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver

  • Trailhead: Catherine Creek

  • Parking Pass: None

 

 

4/26 Columbia Gorge - LYLE CHERRY ORCHARD

Climb up to a plateau where the Columbia River view opens up and stays with you as you hike through a diverse meadow of spring-time wildflowers: death camas, grass widow, larkspur, glacier lilies, shooting star, locoweed, and balsamroot, to name a few. Meet at 8:00 Fred Meyers (11325 SE Mill Plain Blvd, SW side by gas station) or 8:15 Pendleton parking lot SW corner, Washougal. Contact hike leader if you plan to join & indicate which location you’ll be.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 6.5 miles, 1000’ elevation gain.

  • Hike Leader: Meg Tung

  • Carpooling Fee: $37 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver

  • Trailhead: Lyle Cherry Orchard

  • Parking Pass: none

5/3 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.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 5 miles, 1300’ elevation gain

  • Hike Leader: Dave Britton

  • Carpooling Fee: $44 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver

  • Trailhead: Tom McCall Point

  • Parking Pass: none

 

5/10 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 difficult 9 miles loop, 2100’ elevation gain

  • Hike Leader: Carol Frizzell

  • Carpooling Fee: $11 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver

  • Trailhead: Hamilton Mountain

  • Parking Pass: WA Discover Pass.


 
 
 
 
 

5/15 (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.

  • Trail Stats: Strenuous 7 miles loop, 2900’ elevation gain

  • Hike Leader: Richard Bean

  • Carpooling Fee: $23 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver

  • Trailhead: Dog Mountain

  • Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful

5/17 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.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 5 miles, 1500’ elevation gain

  • Hike Leader: Karen Johannes

  • Carpooling Fee: $15 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver

  • Trailhead: Angel’s Rest

  • Parking Pass: none

 

5/24 Gifford Pinchot - TARBELL TRAIL TO HIDDEN FALLS

This trail is part of the Bells Mountain/Tarbell Trail. Walk through woods down to Hid-den Falls. Meet 8:00 at Safeway (14300 NE 20th Ave, park by Starbucks end). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 10 miles, 1100’ elevation gain

  • Hike Leader: Penny McLaren

  • Carpooling Fee: $13 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead: Tarbell.

  • Parking Pass: WA Discover Pass

5/31 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: Penny McLaren

  • Carpooling Fee: $29 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead: Falls Creek Falls.

  • Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful.

6/7 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: Barbara Pierce

  • Carpooling Fee: $12 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead: Equestrian Trailhead.

  • Parking Pass: WA Discover Pass.


 
 
 
 
 
6/14 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.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 8 miles, 1500’ elevation gain

  • Hike Leader: Linda Buckley

  • Carpooling Fee: $32 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead: Mirror Lake.

  • Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful.


 
 
 
 
 
6/21 Yacolt Burn Forest – SWORD FERN, 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.

  • Trail Stats:  Moderate to difficult 9 miles, 1950’ elevation gain

  • Hike Leader: Barbara Pierce

  • Carpooling Fee:  $14 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead:  Moulton Falls (27781 NE Lucia Falls Rd, Yacolt)

  • Parking Pass:  None

6/28 Mount Hood - CENTRAL SALMON RIVER

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.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 8 miles, 1,100 elevation gain

  • Hike Leader: Richard Bean

  • Carpooling Fee: $29 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead: Salmon River.

  • Parking Pass: NW Forest Pass.

7/5 Mt St Helens - APE CAVE (upper trail)

The 1.5 mile upper cave route leads to a climb up an 8-ft rock wall and scramble over rock piles, then exit on a ladder and a 1.5 mile above ground hike back to parking lot. Note, this is a slow-going trek to get over rocks in the dark w/o tripping. Cave temp is 42F year-round, bring warm clothing. Make sure to have two sources of light per per-son (headlamp is great but a cell phone light is insufficient). Timed ticket reservation is required for each car. https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086990. Meet 8:00 at Safeway (14300 NE 20th Ave, park by Starbucks end). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Difficult 3 miles, uneven surface, boulders, obstacles

  • Hike Leader: Richard Bean

  • Carpooling Fee: $32 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead: Ape Cave.

  • Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful + timed ticket

7/12 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.

  • Trail Stats: Strenuous 10 miles, 2370’ elevation gain (Optional 7 mi, 1500’ to Burnt Lake)

  • Hike Leader: Chuck Chenault

  • Carpooling Fee: $31per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead: Burnt Lake.

  • Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful.

7/19 SW Washington – SILVER STAR MOUNTAIN via GROUSE VISTA trailhead

Rocky trail with amazing views of the 5 mountains at the summit and wild flowers. 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: Karen Johannes

  • Carpooling Fee: $11 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead: Grouse Vista.

  • Parking Pass: WA Discover Pass


 
 
 
 
 
7/26 SW Washington – RED ROCK PASS to LOOWIT TRAIL

This moderate trail in Mt. St. Helens Monument area goes through a lava field before ascending through meadows with huckleberries and mountain heather. Meet 8:00 at Safeway (14300 NE 20th Ave, park by Starbucks end). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 8 miles, 1700’ elevation gain.

  • Hike Leader: Meg Tung

  • Carpooling Fee: $33 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead: Red Rock Pass.

  • Parking Pass: None.

8/2 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.

  • 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.

  • Hike Leader: Richard Bean

  • Carpooling Fee: $19 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead: Eagle Creek.

  • Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful


 
 
 
 
 
8/9 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.

    • Trail Stats: Moderate 8 miles, 1000’ elevation gain.

    • Hike Leader: Ruth Fleming

    • Carpooling Fee:  $40 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

    • Trailhead:  Mt Hood Meadows

    • Parking Pass:  none.

8/16 Mt. St. Helens – APE CANYON

Trail climbs along old growth forest ridge by mile-wide mudflow to the other worldly Plains of Abraham. Meet 8:00 at Safeway (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: Chuck Chenault

  • Carpooling Fee: $36 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver

  • Trailhead: Ape Canyon

  • Parking Pass:  NW Forest or America the Beautiful

8/23 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: Dave Britton

  • Carpooling Fee: $5 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead: Park at Skamania County Public Transit Park & Ride.

  • Parking Pass: None.

8/30 Yacoult Burn Forest – TARBELL & SILVER SHADOW LOOP

Trail takes you through meadows, young forest, and more mature forest. You’ll get lots of great views through the more open sections. Meet 8:00 at Safeway (14300 NE 20th Ave, park by Starbucks end). Contact hike leader if you plan to join.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 7 miles loop, 1300’ elevation gain

  • Hike Leader: Meg Tung

  • Carpooling Fee: $10 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver

  • Trailhead: Rock Creek Campground

  • Parking Pass: None.

9/6 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.

  • Trail Stats:  Strenuous 9 miles, 2400’ elevation gain w/ moderate option (8 mi, 1600’)

  • Hike Leader:  Chuck Chenault

  • Carpooling Fee:  $17 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead:  Multnomah Falls

  • Parking Pass:  none.

9/13 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. 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: 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 or America the Beautiful.

9/20 Gifford Pinchot – INDIAN HEAVEN RACETRACK, RED MOUNTAIN LOOK-OUT

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 or America the Beautiful.


 
 
 
 
 

9/27 Mt. Hood – MCNEIL POINT

Spectacular wildflowers and amazing views of Mt Hood and the Sandy glacier. The last portion of the hike to McNeil Point is steep with rock scramble. 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: Richard Bean

  • Carpooling Fee: $34 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead: Top Spur.

  • Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful


 
 
 
 
 

10/4 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.

  • Trail Stats: Moderate 9 miles, 900’ elevation gain.

  • Hike Leader: Dave Britton

  • Carpooling Fee: $50 per vehicle to be shared by passengers & driver.

  • Trailhead: East Crater.

  • Parking Pass: NW Forest or America the Beautiful.