Hardy Ridge Loop - March 1 2015
Posted: March 1st, 2015, 9:06 pm
We chose Hardy Ridge Loop Trail as our hike for this weekend since our annual Discovery pass expires on the 15th and we needed one more hike to get our money's worth out of it. At first we weren't all that excited about doing this hike because we thought there wouldn't be any great vistas, but we were pleasantly surprised by the view from the top of Hardy Ridge, especially from Phlox point.
We started at the Equestrian trail head around 7:30 am and hiked up to West Hardy Ridge trail which we followed up to the 4 way intersection at the top of the ridge. I first headed out to the rock outcroppings to take pictures, then we followed the ridge north to Phlox point where there was a great view of Mt Hood and the Columbia Gorge with glimpses of Mt Adams and Mt Rainier. We then headed back down East Hardy Ridge trail and back to the trail head. The total mileage was 9.2 miles with 2330 elevation gain. I would recommend this hike on a sunny day to everyone.
Hardy Ridge view.
Getting our moneys worth out of our Discovery Pass
The trail starts and finishes as an old dirt road.
On the West Hardy Ridge trail, it turned into a real trail.
Feather Frost
View of Mt Hood from the rock outcropping near the four way intersection on top of the ridge.
Some of the moss covered areas heading up to Phlox Point.
Moss patch up close.
Looking back to Mt Hood and Hamilton Mountain (to the left of the ridge).
Glimpse of Mt Adams.
Glimpse of Mt Rainer from the top of Phlox Point.
View of Mt Hood from Phlox Point.
Swag enjoying the sunny weather.
Looking over to Table Mountain.
Looking down on Bonneville Dam.
Lunch break.
Swag posing by small waterfall.
http://gpsfly.org/g/4056
We started at the Equestrian trail head around 7:30 am and hiked up to West Hardy Ridge trail which we followed up to the 4 way intersection at the top of the ridge. I first headed out to the rock outcroppings to take pictures, then we followed the ridge north to Phlox point where there was a great view of Mt Hood and the Columbia Gorge with glimpses of Mt Adams and Mt Rainier. We then headed back down East Hardy Ridge trail and back to the trail head. The total mileage was 9.2 miles with 2330 elevation gain. I would recommend this hike on a sunny day to everyone.
Hardy Ridge view.
Getting our moneys worth out of our Discovery Pass
The trail starts and finishes as an old dirt road.
On the West Hardy Ridge trail, it turned into a real trail.
Feather Frost
View of Mt Hood from the rock outcropping near the four way intersection on top of the ridge.
Some of the moss covered areas heading up to Phlox Point.
Moss patch up close.
Looking back to Mt Hood and Hamilton Mountain (to the left of the ridge).
Glimpse of Mt Adams.
Glimpse of Mt Rainer from the top of Phlox Point.
View of Mt Hood from Phlox Point.
Swag enjoying the sunny weather.
Looking over to Table Mountain.
Looking down on Bonneville Dam.
Lunch break.
Swag posing by small waterfall.
http://gpsfly.org/g/4056