Difference between revisions of "Larch Mountain Crater Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
(E&D) |
(Remove warning) |
||
| (11 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| + | [[Category:Northwest Oregon]] | ||
[[Category:Columbia River Gorge]] | [[Category:Columbia River Gorge]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Old Growth Hikes]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Moderate Hikes]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Wilderness Hikes]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Loop Hikes]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Hikes]] | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:LarchMountainCrater3.jpg|thumb|400px|Large hemlock in the crater's old growth forest ''(bobcat)'']] |
| + | [[Image:LarchMountainCrater5.jpg|thumb|250px|False lily-of-the-valley ''(Maianthemum dilatatum)'' ''(bobcat)'']] | ||
[[Image:LarchCrater1.JPG|thumb|250px|A small lake in the Larch Mountain Crater ''(Don Nelson)'']] | [[Image:LarchCrater1.JPG|thumb|250px|A small lake in the Larch Mountain Crater ''(Don Nelson)'']] | ||
| + | [[Image:LarchMountainCrater4.jpg|thumb|160px|View to Sherrard Point from the crater's boggy meadow ''(bobcat)'']] | ||
{{Start point|Larch Mountain Trailhead}} | {{Start point|Larch Mountain Trailhead}} | ||
| Line 16: | Line 24: | ||
=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | Larch Mountain is second only to [[Mount Hood]] on the Portland skyline. It's distinctive profile can be seen from the entire city. What's less known is that like Mt. Hood, Larch Mountain is a volcanic peak with a crater of | + | Larch Mountain is second only to [[Mount Hood]] on the Portland skyline. It's distinctive profile can be seen from the entire city. What's less known is that like Mt. Hood, Larch Mountain is a volcanic peak with a crater of its own, albeit very old and eroded. The original hard rock surface of the crater has been eroded into soil that now supports forests and flowery meadows. |
This hike starts at the [[Larch Mountain Trailhead]]. The Larch Mountain Trail, #441, starts at the southwest corner of the parking lot. This section is one of the few Columbia Gorge trails open to mountain bikes, although it doesn't seem to see a lot of use. You'll start by passing through an old, mostly abandoned campground. The trail then drops down somewhat steeply through a dense, view blocking forest. You'll cross a closed road and a large campsite. Two miles down, you'll turn right on to the [[Larch Mountain-Multnomah Creek Way Trail Junction|Multnomah Creek Way Trail #444]]. | This hike starts at the [[Larch Mountain Trailhead]]. The Larch Mountain Trail, #441, starts at the southwest corner of the parking lot. This section is one of the few Columbia Gorge trails open to mountain bikes, although it doesn't seem to see a lot of use. You'll start by passing through an old, mostly abandoned campground. The trail then drops down somewhat steeply through a dense, view blocking forest. You'll cross a closed road and a large campsite. Two miles down, you'll turn right on to the [[Larch Mountain-Multnomah Creek Way Trail Junction|Multnomah Creek Way Trail #444]]. | ||
| Line 28: | Line 36: | ||
=== Fees, Regulations, etc. === | === Fees, Regulations, etc. === | ||
| − | * Northwest Forest Pass required at [[Larch Mountain Trailhead]]. | + | * Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) required at [[Larch Mountain Trailhead]]. |
| − | {{TripReports| | + | {{TripReports|Larch Mountain}} |
| − | + | ||
| − | {{RelatedDiscussions| | + | {{RelatedDiscussions|Larch Mountain}} |
| − | + | ||
=== Guidebooks that cover this hike === | === Guidebooks that cover this hike === | ||
| − | * ''Day Hike! Columbia Gorge'' | + | * ''Day Hike! Columbia Gorge'' by Seabury Blair, Jr. |
| − | * ''Afoot and Afield Portland/Vancouver'' | + | * ''Afoot and Afield Portland/Vancouver'' by Douglas Lorain |
| − | * ''Columbia River Gorge, 42 Scenic Hikes'' | + | * ''Columbia River Gorge, 42 Scenic Hikes'' by Don & Roberta Lowe |
| − | * ''Hiking the Columbia River Gorge'' | + | * ''Hiking the Columbia River Gorge'' 1st and 2nd Editions, by Russ Schneider |
| − | * ''100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon'' | + | * ''100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington'' by William L Sullivan |
=== More Links === | === More Links === | ||
Revision as of 20:58, 27 September 2019
- Start point: Larch Mountain Trailhead
- End point: Larch Mountain Trailhead (loop)
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Distance: 5.9 miles loop
- Elevation gain: 1310 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: May-Nov
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
Larch Mountain is second only to Mount Hood on the Portland skyline. It's distinctive profile can be seen from the entire city. What's less known is that like Mt. Hood, Larch Mountain is a volcanic peak with a crater of its own, albeit very old and eroded. The original hard rock surface of the crater has been eroded into soil that now supports forests and flowery meadows.
This hike starts at the Larch Mountain Trailhead. The Larch Mountain Trail, #441, starts at the southwest corner of the parking lot. This section is one of the few Columbia Gorge trails open to mountain bikes, although it doesn't seem to see a lot of use. You'll start by passing through an old, mostly abandoned campground. The trail then drops down somewhat steeply through a dense, view blocking forest. You'll cross a closed road and a large campsite. Two miles down, you'll turn right on to the Multnomah Creek Way Trail #444.
The path continues dropping down to a log bridge over Multnomah Creek 2/10 of a mile from the trail junction. Just across the bridge, you'll find Multnomah Creek Spur Trail #446. Stay to the right and continue on Trail #444 traveling upstream. The trail, now deep in the old crater, passes through a marshy meadow filled with shooting stars and marsh marigolds in the spring. This was once a lake, but centuries of natural sediments have filled it. Sherrard Point towers over this area. The trail switchbacks up the crater wall to an old logging railroad grade. The trail follows the relatively level abandoned grade for about a mile to a junction with Oneonta Trail #424.
Turn right here and head up Trail #424 for almost a mile to Larch Mountain Road. Turn right and hike up the road for 3/10 of a mile to your car.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) required at Larch Mountain Trailhead.
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Larch Mountain
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Larch Mountain
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Day Hike! Columbia Gorge by Seabury Blair, Jr.
- Afoot and Afield Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain
- 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 and Southwest Washington by William L Sullivan
More Links
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)