Munra Point from Yeon Trailhead Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: John B Yeon Trailhead
- End Point: Munra Point
- Trail Log : Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 6 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 2270 feet
- Difficulty: Difficult (scramble, exposure)
- Seasons: year-round, but hazardous when wet
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
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Hike Description
Munra Point is a fun, non-maintained scramble route to arguably one of the best viewpoints in the Columbia River Gorge, where three open knifeblade ridges converge on an exposed summit pyramid with 360 degree views.
There is one unmaintained trail to the summit, but there are two approaches to the start of that trail. The approach described here starts at the Yeon Trailhead, passes Elowah Falls, a few talus slopes and crosses Moffet Creek. The other one, from the Wahclella Trailhead, is shorter but less scenic.
From the John B Yeon Trailhead, you'll start eastward on the Elowah Falls Trail. You'll stay straight at a junction with Nesmith Point Trail #428 and again at a junction with the trail to Upper McCord Creek Falls. Soon the trail switchbacks down to beautiful Elowah Falls. Stop for a few picture taking opportunities, then continue across the footbridge. As you leave the falls the trail becomes Gorge Trail #400, although no signs mark the fact. The trail parallels the noisy freeway for about a mile, though it passes some interesting rockslide areas before ending at the paved Gorge bike path. Turn right and walk the paved path around a little bend for a couple of hundred yards until you see a sign for Gorge Trail #400 continuing off to your right. Follow the trail until it intersects the pavement again at the Moffet Creek bridge overpass. (You can also stay on the paved bike path to get to the overpass, rather than returning to the 400 trail.) At the overpass, cross the pavement and descent to a bridge over Moffett Creek. The trail climbs steeply out of the gully and turns east to parallel the freeway once more. Just after this turn, an unimproved trail departs uphill to the right, marked only by a "trail not maintained sign" (which is about 30 feet uptrail).
The unofficial Munra Point Trail climbs through a young forest of oaks and Douglas firs until it meets the other spur approach coming from the east side. Stay right at this junction and continue uphill. The trail has multiple braids as you climb up onto the ridge. Generally, staying to the right will ascend an easier switchback, while there is another option that will climb directly up the hill. In order to reduce erosion caused by hikers, please refrain from cutting any of the switchbacks or creating any new trails in this area.
After the steep switchbacks, the trail curves around a small hill and you gain the ridge. There is a short spur off to your left that takes you to an exposed viewpoint with a great view of the western Gorge. Continue to the right and follow the trail steeply up the ridge, scrambling over some rocky obstacles en route. Note: the original Munra use trail ascended directly up the ridge. Please do not cut around the climbing obstacles, as this creates new trails and further erodes the hillside.
The trail exits the forest onto an open slope leading up to the final summit ridges. The views of Beacon Rock, Hamilton Mountain and Table Mountain on the Washington side are nice enough that those not having reached beyond their comfort zone can be content to enjoy the stop here and head back down. Dog owners are also encouraged to stop here, as the final section of the hike requies steep scrambling and there are dropoffs that may be dangerous for dogs.
Note: the summit area of Munra is exposed and falls would result in severe injury.
To reach the summit, climb up an easy but steep chimney that leads to the summit ridge. From here, walk the exposed summit ridge to the summit pyramid. There is a well defined path along the ridge and up to the top, where you will be rewarded with magnificent 360 degree views.
From this vantage you get a great view of the Columbia River to the north spanning from Archer Mountain to the west all the way to Dog Mountain. Just below you to the northeast is the Bonneville Dam and the Bridge of the Gods, and Tanner Creek runs through the canyon off the east side of the summit. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Adams over the NE horizon.
After taking a much deserved break and enjoying one of the nicest viewpoints in the Gorge, start heading back down. Take it slow in places, as the going down is often trickier than going up!
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- None
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Munra Point
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Munra Point
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Day Hike! Columbia Gorge, by Seabury Blair, Jr.
- Afoot and Afield Portland/Vancouver, by Douglas Lorain
- 35 Hiking Trails, Columbia River Gorge, by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Columbia River Gorge, 42 Scenic Hikes, by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Hiking the Columbia River Gorge - 1st and 2nd Editions, by Russ Schneider
- 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon - 3rd Edition, by William L Sullivan
More Links
- NWHiker.com Hike #22: Munra Point
- Munra Point - Lewis and Clark's Columbia River
- Moffett Creek - Lewis and Clark's Columbia River
- Geocache's on Munra Point
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)