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Hamilton Mountain Loop Hike 3/24/07

Posted by jaimee262 (2007-04-08)

So this is a little delayed, but here it goes. . .

Me and 2 of my girlfriends decided we wanted to hike Hamilton Mountain on 3/24. The weather was pretty crummy, but we had planned it well in advance and I was looking to complete a conditioning hike, so we did it anyway (I'm planning on doing Dog Mtn. in May and wanted to see how I did on this one, which has less elevation gain, but is a tad longer).

So here are the details about the hike from the Field Guide: http://portlandhikersfieldguide.com/wiki/Hamilton_Mountain

Here is the sign at the Trailhead:

The Hardy Falls viewpoint:

Pushing my luck with my camera and getting very wet at Pool of Winds:

And because we're tough women, we went to the right. Wink

The trail was not that busy that day and the only people we saw were going down the more difficult way--with poles even!--while we were coming up. Geeked

Taking a break at the Little Hamilton summit. I didn't eat here because I wanted to eat lunch at the summit, but that last stretch to the "real" summit really kicked my butt. My legs were getting tired and I just needed a little food for some energy. Next time I would probably have a little something to eat here before going on.

We made it to the summit! Wow, what a view! Big Smile

I was still super excited anyway, but I have to admit, looking at the pictures in the Field Guide with Mt. Adams, Table Mtn., etc. I was a little disappointed. I joked that maybe I could photoshop Mt. Adams in. LOL

So we headed down and I didn't realize we were in for this treat. I think this little saddle area was gorgeous. I can only imagine the view we would have had with it on a clear day!

Looking back at the Columbia from that saddle:

The trail was pretty sloppy in places:

But was fine throughout most of it:

I really enjoyed seeing all of the little flowers popping up:

Overall, I thought this was a great hike. There were a lot of different things to see throughout it, which was really rewarding. It was challenging (I definitely got a great workout) and I was feeling it in my knees the next day, but it was completely worth it. Now I want to go back on a dry summer day (when it isn't too hot) and see the real views!

Re: Hamilton Mountain Loop Hike 3/24/07

Posted by sparklehorse (2007-04-09)

Nice TR and pics jaimee, thanks! That really is a great hike, too bad you didn't have better weather. Sometimes on sloppy days like that the weather becomes the star of the show and can be as interesting as the views might have been if not more so. Or at least that's what I tell myself as water drips down the back of my neck.

Re: Hamilton Mountain Loop Hike 3/24/07

Posted by fettster (2007-04-09)

Nice work. I don't think you'll have much difficulty with Dog now that you've done Hamilton. In fact I went with someone once who rarely hikes and they made it up Dog, so you're well on your way.

I wonder if there's a "safe" time to get a photo of the falls without getting a shower in the process? It was much the same way when I visited last year in the spring. The saddle area was probably my favorite spot as well. I take it with wet weather the weren't any horses on the return "difficult" route. I like the low, patchy clouds hanging around near Beacon Rock in your one picture.

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