Difference between revisions of "Larch Mountain Crater Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
SasquatchBot (Talk | contribs) m (Difficulty) |
(Edits) |
||
(30 intermediate revisions by 3 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:Volcanic Feature Hikes]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Family 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)'']] | ||
+ | [[Image:LarchMountainCraterMap.png|thumb|400px|The loop hike down into and out of the Larch Mountain crater (not a GPS track) ''(bobcat)'' Courtesy: ''Caltopo/USFS)'']] | ||
− | + | {{Start point|Larch Mountain Trailhead}} | |
− | * End point: [[ | + | * End point: [[Multnomah Creek Way-Multnomah Spur Trail Junction|Multnomah Creek]] |
* Trail Log: [[Larch Mountain Crater Hike/Log|Trail Log]] | * Trail Log: [[Larch Mountain Crater Hike/Log|Trail Log]] | ||
− | {{Distance|6. | + | * Hike type: Loop |
− | {{Elevation gain| | + | {{Distance|6.3 miles}} |
+ | {{Elevation gain|1310 feet}} | ||
+ | * High point: 4,055 feet | ||
{{Difficulty|Moderate}} | {{Difficulty|Moderate}} | ||
− | * Seasons: May- | + | * Seasons: May - November |
* Family Friendly: Yes | * Family Friendly: Yes | ||
* Backpackable: No | * Backpackable: No | ||
Line 16: | Line 28: | ||
=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
− | Larch Mountain is second only to | + | [[Sherrard Point|Larch Mountain]] is second in height only to [[Mount Hood]] looking west from Portland. Its distinctive profile can be seen from the many parts of the city. What's less known is that, like [[Mount Hood]], [[Sherrard Point|Larch Mountain]] is a volcanic peak with a crater of its own, albeit very eroded and now supporting old-growth forests, ponds, bogs, and flowery meadows. In fact, [[Sherrard Point|Larch Mountain]] is the largest of the three shield volcanoes in the Boring Lava Field, a collection of more than 90 volcanoes in the Portland area that were active between 2.7 million and 57,000 years ago. The loop hike described takes you into the crater of [[Sherrard Point|Larch Mountain]] itself as well as around the greater rim and then up to the volcanic plug of [[Sherrard Point]]. |
− | This hike starts at the [[Larch Mountain Trailhead]]. | + | This hike starts at the [[Larch Mountain Trailhead]]. Walk past the restrooms, passing a few picnic tables scattered about. At a trail junction, keep left and head down the ridge on a wide trail in silver fir forest. Soon you'll cross [[Road 315 Junction|an old road bed]] blooming with rhododendron and bear-grass and then continue on down past a campsite clearing. When you reach the junction with the [[Larch Mountain-Multnomah Creek Way Trail Junction|Multnomah Creek Way Trail #444]], turn right. |
− | + | Hike down in Douglas-fir, western red-cedar, western hemlock, and silver fir forest. A couple of impressive cedars stand guard at Multnomah Creek, which you'll cross on a footbridge in lush creekside growth of lady fern, salmonberry, and skunk-cabbage. Just across the bridge, you'll find [[Multnomah Creek Way-Multnomah Spur Trail Junction|Multnomah Spur Trail #446]]. Stay to the right, and continue on Trail #444 traveling upstream in old-growth forest. There are glimpses of [[Sherrard Point]] through the trees. A spur on the right leads to a swampy meadow in the old crater. Cotton grass, elephant’s head lousewort, bog orchid, asphodel, and paintbrush all bloom here in summer. There’s a clear view of the volcanic plug at the summit from the meadow. Back on the trail, the route passes through a bog blooming with groundsel and false bugbane. You're soon under big old-growth trees, especially Douglas-firs and hemlocks. The trail is quite eroded here and ascends along a dry, rocky creek bed. Wind up in these lush, ancient woods and switchback at a giant hemlock that has its top snapped off. The trail begins to undulate in a noble fir/silver fir forest before rising again to join the bed of an old logging railroad. Now you're hiking on the level with the margins of this track festooned with blooming avalanche lilies in early summer. Pass over a couple of small creeks choked with devil’s club. At an opening, there’s a view across a Sitka alder-cloaked slope to prominences on the Washington side of the [[Columbia River Gorge]], including [[Table Mountain]] and [[Birkenfeld Mountain]]. The trail leaves the rail bed temporarily among large stumps nursing hemlock saplings and then returns to the level grade. Then you'll pass through a cutting and reach the junction with the [[Oneonta-Multnomah Creek Way Trail Junction|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 | + | Turn right here and head up Trail #424 for almost a mile in secondary forest to [[Upper Oneonta Trailhead|Larch Mountain Road]]. Turn right and hike up the road for 3/10 of a mile to the parking area at the [[Larch Mountain Trailhead]]. From this area, take the lower paved trail for [[Sherrard Point]]. The trail heads through shady noble fir, silver fir, and Douglas-fir forest. At a junction, make a right to head up the first flight of a total of about 120 steps. You'll pass above a steep, dry meadow blooming with paintbrush and penstemon. The trail switchbacks and then takes you up concrete steps to the fenced viewpoint area at the very top of [[Sherrard Point]]. Blooming on the steep rock faces are Howell’s daisies, alumroot, rock penstemon, matted saxifrage, and Cardwell’s penstemon. There’s a view of a tarn below and the crater meadow. You can see west to Washougal and east along the [[Columbia River Gorge]]. The Cascade peaks are in view. Concrete slabs name them, and give their heights and distance (for [[Mount Saint Helens]], it’s the pre-eruption height!). |
=== Maps === | === Maps === | ||
− | {{HikeMaps|latitude=45. | + | {{HikeMaps|latitude=45.5388|longitude=-122.0875}} |
+ | * Green Trails Maps: ''Bridal Veil, OR #428'' | ||
+ | * Green Trails Maps: ''Columbia River Gorge - West #428S'' | ||
+ | * Geo-Graphics: ''Trails of the Columbia Gorge'' | ||
+ | * U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service/Bureau of Land Management: ''Columbia River Gorge'' | ||
+ | * U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Zigzag Ranger District'' | ||
+ | * U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Mt. Hood National Forest'' | ||
=== 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]]. |
+ | * Restrooms, picnic area, information kiosk | ||
+ | * Share trails with mountain bikes | ||
− | {{TripReports| | + | {{TripReports|Larch Mountain Crater}} |
− | + | ||
− | {{RelatedDiscussions| | + | {{RelatedDiscussions|Larch Mountain Crater}} |
− | + | ||
=== Guidebooks that cover this hike === | === Guidebooks that cover this hike === | ||
− | * ''Day Hike! Columbia Gorge'' | + | * ''60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland'' by Paul Gerald |
− | * ''Afoot | + | * ''Day Hikes in the Columbia Gorge'' by Don J. Scarmuzzi |
− | * ''Columbia River Gorge | + | * ''Day Hiking: Columbia River Gorge'' by Craig Romano |
− | * ''Hiking | + | * ''Day Hike! Columbia Gorge'' by Seabury Blair, Jr. |
− | * '' | + | * ''Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver'' by Douglas Lorain |
+ | * ''100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington'' by William L Sullivan | ||
+ | * ''Hiking the Columbia River Gorge'' by Russ Schneider; revised by Jim Yuskavitch | ||
+ | * ''Columbia River Gorge: 42 Scenic Hikes'' by Don & Roberta Lowe | ||
+ | * ''Oregon Hiking'' by Sean Patrick Hill | ||
+ | * ''Oregon's Columbia River Gorge: Camping & Hiking'' by Tom Stienstra & Sean Patrick Hill | ||
+ | * ''Pacific Northwest Hiking'' by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill | ||
+ | * ''Best Old-growth Forest Hikes: Washington & Oregon Cascades'' by John & Diane Cissel | ||
+ | * ''A Walking Guide to Oregon's Ancient Forests'' by Wendell Wood | ||
+ | * ''Trail Running: Oregon'' by Lizann Dunegan | ||
+ | * ''Mountain Biking Portland'' by Scott Rapp | ||
+ | * ''The Dog Lover's Companion to Oregon'' by Val Mallinson | ||
=== More Links === | === More Links === | ||
− | * [http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/153640/larch-mountain.html Larch Mountain | + | * [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/crgnsa/recarea/?recid=80589 Larch Mountain Trail (#441) (USFS)] |
+ | * [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/crgnsa/recarea/?recid=29952 Multnomah Creek Way Trail (#444) (USFS)] | ||
+ | * [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/crgnsa/recarea/?recid=82254 Oneonta Trail (#424) (USFS)] | ||
+ | * [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/crgnsa/recreation/recarea/?recid=30070 Sherrard Point Trail (#443) (USFS)] | ||
+ | * [https://gorgefriends.org/hike-the-gorge/larch-mountain-crater-loop.html Larch Mountain Crater Loop (Friends of the Columbia Gorge)] | ||
+ | * [https://www.iheartpacificnorthwest.com/larch-mountain-crater-hike-2/ Larch Mountain Crater (I Heart Pacific Northwest)] | ||
+ | * [https://adventureswithdotty.com/portfolio-items/larch-mountain-crater Larch Mountain Crater (Adventures With Dotty)] | ||
+ | * [https://oregonwild.org/explore-oregon/suggested-outings/suggested-hikes-larch-mountain Larch Mountain (Oregon Wild)] | ||
+ | * [https://www.backpacker.com/trips/portland-or-larch-mountain-crater Larch Mountain Crater (Backpacker)] | ||
+ | * [http://www.oregonhiking.com/oregon-adventures/100-hikes-in-northwest-oregon-and-southwest-washington/columbia-gorge-hikes/larch-mountain-crater-hike Larch Mountain Crater (Oregon Adventures)] | ||
+ | * [https://www.westcolumbiagorgechamber.com/larch-mountain-crater-trail-loop/ Larch Mountain Crater Trail Loop (West Columbia Gorge)] | ||
+ | * [http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/153640/larch-mountain.html Larch Mountain (Summit Post)] | ||
+ | |||
=== Contributors === | === Contributors === | ||
* [[User:Stevefromdodge|Stevefromdodge]] (creator) | * [[User:Stevefromdodge|Stevefromdodge]] (creator) |
Revision as of 00:31, 2 August 2020
- Start point: Larch Mountain Trailhead
- End point: Multnomah Creek
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike type: Loop
- Distance: 6.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 1310 feet
- High point: 4,055 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: May - November
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
Larch Mountain is second in height only to Mount Hood looking west from Portland. Its distinctive profile can be seen from the many parts of the city. What's less known is that, like Mount Hood, Larch Mountain is a volcanic peak with a crater of its own, albeit very eroded and now supporting old-growth forests, ponds, bogs, and flowery meadows. In fact, Larch Mountain is the largest of the three shield volcanoes in the Boring Lava Field, a collection of more than 90 volcanoes in the Portland area that were active between 2.7 million and 57,000 years ago. The loop hike described takes you into the crater of Larch Mountain itself as well as around the greater rim and then up to the volcanic plug of Sherrard Point.
This hike starts at the Larch Mountain Trailhead. Walk past the restrooms, passing a few picnic tables scattered about. At a trail junction, keep left and head down the ridge on a wide trail in silver fir forest. Soon you'll cross an old road bed blooming with rhododendron and bear-grass and then continue on down past a campsite clearing. When you reach the junction with the Multnomah Creek Way Trail #444, turn right.
Hike down in Douglas-fir, western red-cedar, western hemlock, and silver fir forest. A couple of impressive cedars stand guard at Multnomah Creek, which you'll cross on a footbridge in lush creekside growth of lady fern, salmonberry, and skunk-cabbage. Just across the bridge, you'll find Multnomah Spur Trail #446. Stay to the right, and continue on Trail #444 traveling upstream in old-growth forest. There are glimpses of Sherrard Point through the trees. A spur on the right leads to a swampy meadow in the old crater. Cotton grass, elephant’s head lousewort, bog orchid, asphodel, and paintbrush all bloom here in summer. There’s a clear view of the volcanic plug at the summit from the meadow. Back on the trail, the route passes through a bog blooming with groundsel and false bugbane. You're soon under big old-growth trees, especially Douglas-firs and hemlocks. The trail is quite eroded here and ascends along a dry, rocky creek bed. Wind up in these lush, ancient woods and switchback at a giant hemlock that has its top snapped off. The trail begins to undulate in a noble fir/silver fir forest before rising again to join the bed of an old logging railroad. Now you're hiking on the level with the margins of this track festooned with blooming avalanche lilies in early summer. Pass over a couple of small creeks choked with devil’s club. At an opening, there’s a view across a Sitka alder-cloaked slope to prominences on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, including Table Mountain and Birkenfeld Mountain. The trail leaves the rail bed temporarily among large stumps nursing hemlock saplings and then returns to the level grade. Then you'll pass through a cutting and reach the junction with the Oneonta Trail #424.
Turn right here and head up Trail #424 for almost a mile in secondary forest to Larch Mountain Road. Turn right and hike up the road for 3/10 of a mile to the parking area at the Larch Mountain Trailhead. From this area, take the lower paved trail for Sherrard Point. The trail heads through shady noble fir, silver fir, and Douglas-fir forest. At a junction, make a right to head up the first flight of a total of about 120 steps. You'll pass above a steep, dry meadow blooming with paintbrush and penstemon. The trail switchbacks and then takes you up concrete steps to the fenced viewpoint area at the very top of Sherrard Point. Blooming on the steep rock faces are Howell’s daisies, alumroot, rock penstemon, matted saxifrage, and Cardwell’s penstemon. There’s a view of a tarn below and the crater meadow. You can see west to Washougal and east along the Columbia River Gorge. The Cascade peaks are in view. Concrete slabs name them, and give their heights and distance (for Mount Saint Helens, it’s the pre-eruption height!).
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Green Trails Maps: Bridal Veil, OR #428
- Green Trails Maps: Columbia River Gorge - West #428S
- Geo-Graphics: Trails of the Columbia Gorge
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service/Bureau of Land Management: Columbia River Gorge
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Zigzag Ranger District
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mt. Hood National Forest
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) required at Larch Mountain Trailhead.
- Restrooms, picnic area, information kiosk
- Share trails with mountain bikes
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Larch Mountain Crater
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Larch Mountain Crater
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland by Paul Gerald
- Day Hikes in the Columbia Gorge by Don J. Scarmuzzi
- Day Hiking: Columbia River Gorge by Craig Romano
- Day Hike! Columbia Gorge by Seabury Blair, Jr.
- Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain
- 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington by William L Sullivan
- Hiking the Columbia River Gorge by Russ Schneider; revised by Jim Yuskavitch
- Columbia River Gorge: 42 Scenic Hikes by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
- Oregon's Columbia River Gorge: Camping & Hiking by Tom Stienstra & Sean Patrick Hill
- Pacific Northwest Hiking by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill
- Best Old-growth Forest Hikes: Washington & Oregon Cascades by John & Diane Cissel
- A Walking Guide to Oregon's Ancient Forests by Wendell Wood
- Trail Running: Oregon by Lizann Dunegan
- Mountain Biking Portland by Scott Rapp
- The Dog Lover's Companion to Oregon by Val Mallinson
More Links
- Larch Mountain Trail (#441) (USFS)
- Multnomah Creek Way Trail (#444) (USFS)
- Oneonta Trail (#424) (USFS)
- Sherrard Point Trail (#443) (USFS)
- Larch Mountain Crater Loop (Friends of the Columbia Gorge)
- Larch Mountain Crater (I Heart Pacific Northwest)
- Larch Mountain Crater (Adventures With Dotty)
- Larch Mountain (Oregon Wild)
- Larch Mountain Crater (Backpacker)
- Larch Mountain Crater (Oregon Adventures)
- Larch Mountain Crater Trail Loop (West Columbia Gorge)
- Larch Mountain (Summit Post)
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)