Difference between revisions of "Grassy Knoll Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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[[Category:Hikes]] | [[Category:Hikes]] | ||
| − | [[Image:GrassyKnoll2.jpg|thumb|400px|Herald-of-summer ''(Clarkia | + | [[Image:GrassyKnoll2.jpg|thumb|400px|Herald-of-summer ''(Clarkia amoena var. lindleyi)'', Grassy Knoll Trail ''(bobcat)'']] |
| − | [[Image:GrassyKnoll1.jpg|thumb|250px|View to Little Huckleberry Mt. and Mt. Adams over the Big Lava Bed, Grassy Knoll Trail ''bobcat)'']] | + | [[Image:GrassyKnoll1.jpg|thumb|250px|View to Little Huckleberry Mt. and Mt. Adams over the Big Lava Bed, Grassy Knoll Trail ''(bobcat)'']] |
| − | [[Image:GrassyKnoll4.jpg|thumb|250px|Indian-parsnip ''(Cymopterus terebinthinus)'', Grassy Knoll ''bobcat)'']] | + | [[Image:GrassyKnoll4.jpg|thumb|250px|Indian-parsnip ''(Cymopterus terebinthinus)'', Grassy Knoll ''(bobcat)'']] |
| − | [[Image:GrassyKnoll3.jpg|thumb|250px|Lookout site and Mt. Hood, Grassy Knoll ''bobcat)'']] | + | [[Image:GrassyKnoll3.jpg|thumb|250px|Lookout site and Mt. Hood, Grassy Knoll ''(bobcat)'']] |
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Grassy_Knoll_Map.jpg|thumb|400px|Trail to Grassy Knoll ''(Webfoot)'' Courtesy: ''CalTopo.com'']] |
{{Start point|Grassy Knoll Trailhead}} | {{Start point|Grassy Knoll Trailhead}} | ||
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=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | Following the | + | Following the former route of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Grassy Knoll Trail takes you to a wildflower bonanza complemented by expansive views. The meadow at the trailhead is a good starting point for inspecting blooms. The trail then affords excellent vistas over the [[Big Lava Bed]] and proceeds through a series of meadows to the most stunning meadow of all, at the summit of [[Grassy Knoll]], site of an old lookout. You can hike on if you want and the only downside of this experience is the rather potholed and narrow approach by road. |
The trail begins at the sign for the Grassy Knoll Trail #146 and heads up a wonderful flower meadow. Pause if you're a botanizer: there are 40+ species blooming here in July! Enter the woods, drop a little, and then head up through a thimbleberry thicket and Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest with an understory of vine maple. Pass through a clearing and then an opening with views east to [[Mount Adams]] through the trees. Silver firs enter the conifer mix. Rise through a clearing and then the path drops. At a rocky clifftop viewpoint, there are views over the [[Big Lava Bed]] to [[Little Huckleberry Mountain]], Indian Heaven, and [[Mount Adams]]. There’s one more rock outcrop viewpoint a little higher. Bright pink rock penstemon blooms here in early summer. | The trail begins at the sign for the Grassy Knoll Trail #146 and heads up a wonderful flower meadow. Pause if you're a botanizer: there are 40+ species blooming here in July! Enter the woods, drop a little, and then head up through a thimbleberry thicket and Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest with an understory of vine maple. Pass through a clearing and then an opening with views east to [[Mount Adams]] through the trees. Silver firs enter the conifer mix. Rise through a clearing and then the path drops. At a rocky clifftop viewpoint, there are views over the [[Big Lava Bed]] to [[Little Huckleberry Mountain]], Indian Heaven, and [[Mount Adams]]. There’s one more rock outcrop viewpoint a little higher. Bright pink rock penstemon blooms here in early summer. | ||
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=== Maps === | === Maps === | ||
| + | {{Hikemaps|latitude=45.81487|longitude=-121.75560}} | ||
* [http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/PA_WIDConsumption/wid/EnlargeImage.jsp?param5=null¶m1=PA_WIDConsumption¶m2=STELPRDB5160921¶m3=Panther%20Creek%20Area%20Trail%20Map¶m4=/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5160921.jpg&pname=Forest%20Service Panther Creek Area Trail Map (USFS)] | * [http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/PA_WIDConsumption/wid/EnlargeImage.jsp?param5=null¶m1=PA_WIDConsumption¶m2=STELPRDB5160921¶m3=Panther%20Creek%20Area%20Trail%20Map¶m4=/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5160921.jpg&pname=Forest%20Service Panther Creek Area Trail Map (USFS)] | ||
* Green Trails Maps: ''Wind River, WA #397'' | * Green Trails Maps: ''Wind River, WA #397'' | ||
* Green Trails Maps: ''Willard, WA #398'' | * Green Trails Maps: ''Willard, WA #398'' | ||
| + | * National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: ''Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area'' | ||
* U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Mt. Adams Ranger District'' | * U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Mt. Adams Ranger District'' | ||
* U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Gifford Pinchot National Forest'' | * U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Gifford Pinchot National Forest'' | ||
{{TripReports|Grassy Knoll}} | {{TripReports|Grassy Knoll}} | ||
| + | * [https://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=23741 Grassy Knoll 5-1-2015: Bugs, Blowdown and Blossoms] | ||
| + | * [https://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=23649 Hiking off-trail: Grassy Knoll Gifford Pinchot 4/16/16] | ||
| + | * [http://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=21657 Grassy Knoll to Grassy Pass May 9, 2015] | ||
* [http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19468 Grassy Knoll Direttissima] | * [http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19468 Grassy Knoll Direttissima] | ||
* [http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=15813 Beargrassy Knoll - aka Grassy Knoll 6-23-13] | * [http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=15813 Beargrassy Knoll - aka Grassy Knoll 6-23-13] | ||
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=== Guidebooks that cover this hike === | === Guidebooks that cover this hike === | ||
| + | * ''Off the Beaten Trail'' by Matt Reeder | ||
* ''Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver'' by Douglas Lorain | * ''Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver'' by Douglas Lorain | ||
* ''Day Hiking: Columbia River Gorge'' by Craig Romano | * ''Day Hiking: Columbia River Gorge'' by Craig Romano | ||
| − | * ''100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon'' by William L. Sullivan | + | * ''Day Hikes in the Columbia Gorge'' by Don J. Scarmuzzi |
| + | * ''100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington'' by William L. Sullivan | ||
| + | * ''Best Hikes With Kids: Western Washington & the Cascades'' by Joan Burton | ||
| + | * ''95 Virtual Hikes of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument'' by Northwest Hiker | ||
| + | * ''Skamania 231: A Scrambler's Guide'' by Kelly Wagner | ||
* ''33 Hiking Trails: Southern Washington Cascades'' by Don & Roberta Lowe | * ''33 Hiking Trails: Southern Washington Cascades'' by Don & Roberta Lowe | ||
| + | * ''The Columbia Gorge: Short Trips and Trails'' by Oral Bullard & Don Lowe | ||
* ''Exploring Washington's Wild Areas'' by Marge & Ted Mueller | * ''Exploring Washington's Wild Areas'' by Marge & Ted Mueller | ||
* ''Hiking the Gifford Pinchot Backcountry'' by the Columbia Group Sierra Club | * ''Hiking the Gifford Pinchot Backcountry'' by the Columbia Group Sierra Club | ||
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=== Contributors === | === Contributors === | ||
* [[User:bobcat|bobcat]] (creator) | * [[User:bobcat|bobcat]] (creator) | ||
| + | * [[User:Webfoot|Webfoot]] (map) | ||
Revision as of 02:27, 11 April 2019
- Start point: Grassy Knoll Trailhead
- End point: Grassy Knoll
- Hike Type: In and out
- Distance: 4.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 1280 feet
- High Point: 3,648 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Summer into Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable:No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
Following the former route of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Grassy Knoll Trail takes you to a wildflower bonanza complemented by expansive views. The meadow at the trailhead is a good starting point for inspecting blooms. The trail then affords excellent vistas over the Big Lava Bed and proceeds through a series of meadows to the most stunning meadow of all, at the summit of Grassy Knoll, site of an old lookout. You can hike on if you want and the only downside of this experience is the rather potholed and narrow approach by road.
The trail begins at the sign for the Grassy Knoll Trail #146 and heads up a wonderful flower meadow. Pause if you're a botanizer: there are 40+ species blooming here in July! Enter the woods, drop a little, and then head up through a thimbleberry thicket and Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest with an understory of vine maple. Pass through a clearing and then an opening with views east to Mount Adams through the trees. Silver firs enter the conifer mix. Rise through a clearing and then the path drops. At a rocky clifftop viewpoint, there are views over the Big Lava Bed to Little Huckleberry Mountain, Indian Heaven, and Mount Adams. There’s one more rock outcrop viewpoint a little higher. Bright pink rock penstemon blooms here in early summer.
Drop down a forested ridge and then up through meadows before dropping again in silver fir/noble fir woods. Pass across a xeric, moss-covered, mariposa lily and onion-spangled meadow and then descend through clearings and meadows to get a first view of Grassy Knoll. Pass the remains of a wood structure, perhaps connected with the 1953 lookout rebuilding, and head up into shady woods. Reach the slope of Grassy Knoll and get a view south to Mount Hood. The trail switchbacks on the open, flowered slope and then heads briefly into the woods, giving an clear view across to Mount Adams. Balsamroot, lupine, and paintbrush are the signature blooms among many others. Back on the grassy expanse, a spur left leads to the remains of the old lookout. The lookout was first established in 1934. It was demolished by winds in 1952 and materials were flown in to replace it in June, 1953.
To continue hiking through along ridge top meadows and coniferous forest, see the Big Huckleberry Mountain Hike.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Panther Creek Area Trail Map (USFS)
- Green Trails Maps: Wind River, WA #397
- Green Trails Maps: Willard, WA #398
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mt. Adams Ranger District
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Grassy Knoll
- Grassy Knoll 5-1-2015: Bugs, Blowdown and Blossoms
- Hiking off-trail: Grassy Knoll Gifford Pinchot 4/16/16
- Grassy Knoll to Grassy Pass May 9, 2015
- Grassy Knoll Direttissima
- Beargrassy Knoll - aka Grassy Knoll 6-23-13
- Grassy Knoll / Big Huckleberry Mountain 7/4/11
- Grassy Knoll (June 12, 2011) - bear sighting
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Grassy Knoll
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Off the Beaten Trail by Matt Reeder
- Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain
- Day Hiking: Columbia River Gorge by Craig Romano
- Day Hikes in the Columbia Gorge by Don J. Scarmuzzi
- 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington by William L. Sullivan
- Best Hikes With Kids: Western Washington & the Cascades by Joan Burton
- 95 Virtual Hikes of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument by Northwest Hiker
- Skamania 231: A Scrambler's Guide by Kelly Wagner
- 33 Hiking Trails: Southern Washington Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
- The Columbia Gorge: Short Trips and Trails by Oral Bullard & Don Lowe
- Exploring Washington's Wild Areas by Marge & Ted Mueller
- Hiking the Gifford Pinchot Backcountry by the Columbia Group Sierra Club
More Links
- Trail #146 Grassy Knoll (USFS)
- Grassy Knoll and Big Huckleberry Mountain Hike (Northwest Hiker)
- "Wildflowers aplenty: Grassy Knoll trail" (The Columbian)
- Grassy Knoll Trail #146 (Flora & Fauna Northwest)
- Grassy Knoll (Linda's Lens)
- Grassy Knoll and Big Huckleberry Mountain, Jul 13th (Footprints)
- Grassy Knoll (Washington Trails Association)