Difference between revisions of "Larch Mountain Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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<b>NOTICE: This trail was impacted by the Eagle Creek Fire in 2017. The Forest Service warns hikers to enter at their own risk because of hazardous conditions, including loose rocks, falling trees and limbs, debris flows, and damaged or blocked trails. There may be vegetation carpeting the trail tread in places. Less experienced hikers should consider an alternative to this hike while these conditions exist, and all hikers with dogs or small children should consider safer alternatives.</b> | <b>NOTICE: This trail was impacted by the Eagle Creek Fire in 2017. The Forest Service warns hikers to enter at their own risk because of hazardous conditions, including loose rocks, falling trees and limbs, debris flows, and damaged or blocked trails. There may be vegetation carpeting the trail tread in places. Less experienced hikers should consider an alternative to this hike while these conditions exist, and all hikers with dogs or small children should consider safer alternatives.</b> | ||
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Beyond the bridge, the asphalt trail switches up steeply for another mile to a ridgecrest (There are 11 switchbacks to be exact). At the first switchback, you'll come to the [[Larch Mountain-Gorge Trail Junction]]. After the Eagle Creek Fire, logging crews cut many of the trees on this slope and the views are more open although some of the logged trees seem to point dangerously down the steep slope. At the third switchback, a once shaded viewpoint with a bench offers a view to [[Multnomah Falls]]. At the fourth switchback, a scree slope shelters a busy colony of pikas, which tend to disappear when the midday crowds show up. As you ascend higher on the slope, look for Columbia River views. Post fire, the trail seems more precipitous and the drop-offs more lethal as much of the buffering understory was incinerated during the blaze. At the crest, you'll see a few trees that were killed by the 2017 fire. From the top, the trail drops slightly to a signed junction where you'll go right for the Multnomah Falls Viewpoint. The asphalt follows a new side path that switchbacks down twice to the [[Multnomah Falls Upper Viewpoint]], a balcony of sorts at the lip of the falls looking down on the lodge and the less motivated visitors below. A ten-foot uppermost tier of [[Multnomah Falls]] splashes down into a shady pool encased by columnar basalt here. | Beyond the bridge, the asphalt trail switches up steeply for another mile to a ridgecrest (There are 11 switchbacks to be exact). At the first switchback, you'll come to the [[Larch Mountain-Gorge Trail Junction]]. After the Eagle Creek Fire, logging crews cut many of the trees on this slope and the views are more open although some of the logged trees seem to point dangerously down the steep slope. At the third switchback, a once shaded viewpoint with a bench offers a view to [[Multnomah Falls]]. At the fourth switchback, a scree slope shelters a busy colony of pikas, which tend to disappear when the midday crowds show up. As you ascend higher on the slope, look for Columbia River views. Post fire, the trail seems more precipitous and the drop-offs more lethal as much of the buffering understory was incinerated during the blaze. At the crest, you'll see a few trees that were killed by the 2017 fire. From the top, the trail drops slightly to a signed junction where you'll go right for the Multnomah Falls Viewpoint. The asphalt follows a new side path that switchbacks down twice to the [[Multnomah Falls Upper Viewpoint]], a balcony of sorts at the lip of the falls looking down on the lodge and the less motivated visitors below. A ten-foot uppermost tier of [[Multnomah Falls]] splashes down into a shady pool encased by columnar basalt here. | ||
| − | On returning to the main trail, turn upcreek and [[Second Multnomah Creek Bridge|cross a rock-faced culvert]] over Multnomah Creek. Pass the old junction with the Perdition Trail, a lower link to the Wahkeena Trail across the face of the Gorge that was severely damaged by the 1991 Multnomah Falls Fire and permanently closed. The next three miles of the Larch Mountain Trail parallel Multnomah Creek offering numerous scenic views. The trail passes Lower, Middle and Upper [[Dutchman Falls]], followed by a unique trip through a creek washed overhang called [[Dutchman Tunnel]]. Just beyond the tunnel, you'll come to [[ | + | On returning to the main trail, turn upcreek and [[Second Multnomah Creek Bridge|cross a rock-faced culvert]] over Multnomah Creek. Pass the old junction with the Perdition Trail, a lower link to the Wahkeena Trail across the face of the Gorge that was severely damaged by the 1991 Multnomah Falls Fire and permanently closed. The next three miles of the Larch Mountain Trail parallel Multnomah Creek offering numerous scenic views. The trail passes Lower, Middle and Upper [[Dutchman Falls]], followed by a unique trip through a creek washed overhang called [[Dutchman Tunnel]]. Just beyond the tunnel, you'll come to [[Wiesendanger Falls]] (A plaque honoring Albert Wiesendanger, a Forest Service ranger, can be found in [[Dutchman Tunnel]]). The trail switchbacks four times above [[Wiesendanger Falls]], and soon passes the lip of [[Ecola Falls]]. The tread is rocky in places, but the climb isn't nearly as steep as it was in the beginning. Views up Multnomah Creek from here reveal a scorched understory and blackened tree trunks. Another quarter mile brings you to a trail junction with the [[Larch Mountain-Wahkeena Trail Junction|Wahkeena Trail]] and then [[Third Multnomah Creek Bridge|another creek bridge]], this newest version made of steel and installed post-Eagle Creek Fire in 2018. |
Above this bridge, the trail follows Multnomah Creek a short distance up the hillside. You'll cross a wide creek: It's hard to keep your feet dry here in the wet season. When the trail drops back to creek level, it splits into two trails. The main trail runs right alongside the creek under an overhang of platy andesite, an outflow from the Larch Mountain shield volcano. During the summer, it's a beautiful walk next to the creek. In the spring, this area floods, so hikers will need to take the alternate route signed as the "High Water Trail" to switchback up the ridge. The two trails come back together opposite the place where Big John Creek flows into Multnomah Creek from the west. | Above this bridge, the trail follows Multnomah Creek a short distance up the hillside. You'll cross a wide creek: It's hard to keep your feet dry here in the wet season. When the trail drops back to creek level, it splits into two trails. The main trail runs right alongside the creek under an overhang of platy andesite, an outflow from the Larch Mountain shield volcano. During the summer, it's a beautiful walk next to the creek. In the spring, this area floods, so hikers will need to take the alternate route signed as the "High Water Trail" to switchback up the ridge. The two trails come back together opposite the place where Big John Creek flows into Multnomah Creek from the west. | ||
Revision as of 01:12, 15 June 2019
| This page is marked as a Closed Hike. Some or all of this hike has been closed by a governing body and hikers may be liable for fines or even arrest. At least part of this route may be dangerous and hard to follow, or it may cross areas with sensitive plant life or wildlife habitat. Trailkeepers of Oregon does not endorse or recommend hiking this route. When restrictions are lifted, this notice will be removed. |
- Start point: Multnomah Falls Trailhead
- End Point: Sherrard Point (Larch Mountain)
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike type: Out and back
- Distance: 14.4 miles round trip
- High point: 4,055 feet
- Elevation gain: 4010 feet
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Seasons: Apr–Nov
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Extremely crowded to the upper viewpoint; quite crowded to the Wahkeena Trail junction
Contents |
Hike Description
NOTICE: This trail was impacted by the Eagle Creek Fire in 2017. The Forest Service warns hikers to enter at their own risk because of hazardous conditions, including loose rocks, falling trees and limbs, debris flows, and damaged or blocked trails. There may be vegetation carpeting the trail tread in places. Less experienced hikers should consider an alternative to this hike while these conditions exist, and all hikers with dogs or small children should consider safer alternatives.
For a hike that gains almost exactly 4,000 feet, this excursion seems relatively forgiving for those in decent shape. The gain is, in fact, constant, and usually not steep enough to quicken your heart beat once you set your pace. The goal is the volcanic plug at the top of Larch Mountain known as Sherrard Point. The mountain itself is one of the three Boring stratovolcanoes (the others being Mount Sylvania and Highland Butte) and is the highest point in the west Gorge; thus, the views are expansive. In addition, throw in some imposing old-growth Douglas-firs and hemlocks, and a variety of Gorge blooms at Sherrard Point in the summer. The lower 4 1/2 miles of the route was scorched by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, with the understory burned out in lower sections and areas of crown fire as you get higher up. The Larch Mountain Trail crosses the westernmost tongue of the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. A car shuttle will make this a seven-mile traverse hike.
The Larch Mountain trail was constructed in 1915 by members of the Eastside Progressive Businessmen's Club. Many of those involved became founding members of the Trails Club of Oregon. Portland residents might recognize the names of a few early members such as store owners Julius Meier and Aaron Frank, newspaperman Henry Pittock, and Columbia River Highway Builders Sam Lancaster and Simon Benson, the latter contributing $3,000. The trail route was flagged out by the "mountain man" Ralph Shelly. Today the Trails Club still maintains Nesika Lodge on a spur trail off of the Larch Mountain Trail. While the stone lodge itself survived the 2017 fire, the dormitory buildings and most other structures did not.
The trail begins at Multnomah Falls Lodge, a historic building built to serve early automobile travelers in 1925. From a photographer's viewpoint, get a head on vista of both the lower and main tiers of Multnomah Falls and the picturesque span of the Benson Bridge. From here, the trail is a gently sloped 2/10 mile paved path to the Benson Bridge, put in place in 1914 by Simon Benson, one of the builders of the old highway. This part of the trail has one switchback, although one small flight of a few stairs blocks the way to wheelchairs beyond the lower falls viewpoint. You'll pass below a rock net and can look up to see the seasonal Shady Creek Falls, which splash down a cliff just west of Multnomah Falls.
Beyond the bridge, the asphalt trail switches up steeply for another mile to a ridgecrest (There are 11 switchbacks to be exact). At the first switchback, you'll come to the Larch Mountain-Gorge Trail Junction. After the Eagle Creek Fire, logging crews cut many of the trees on this slope and the views are more open although some of the logged trees seem to point dangerously down the steep slope. At the third switchback, a once shaded viewpoint with a bench offers a view to Multnomah Falls. At the fourth switchback, a scree slope shelters a busy colony of pikas, which tend to disappear when the midday crowds show up. As you ascend higher on the slope, look for Columbia River views. Post fire, the trail seems more precipitous and the drop-offs more lethal as much of the buffering understory was incinerated during the blaze. At the crest, you'll see a few trees that were killed by the 2017 fire. From the top, the trail drops slightly to a signed junction where you'll go right for the Multnomah Falls Viewpoint. The asphalt follows a new side path that switchbacks down twice to the Multnomah Falls Upper Viewpoint, a balcony of sorts at the lip of the falls looking down on the lodge and the less motivated visitors below. A ten-foot uppermost tier of Multnomah Falls splashes down into a shady pool encased by columnar basalt here.
On returning to the main trail, turn upcreek and cross a rock-faced culvert over Multnomah Creek. Pass the old junction with the Perdition Trail, a lower link to the Wahkeena Trail across the face of the Gorge that was severely damaged by the 1991 Multnomah Falls Fire and permanently closed. The next three miles of the Larch Mountain Trail parallel Multnomah Creek offering numerous scenic views. The trail passes Lower, Middle and Upper Dutchman Falls, followed by a unique trip through a creek washed overhang called Dutchman Tunnel. Just beyond the tunnel, you'll come to Wiesendanger Falls (A plaque honoring Albert Wiesendanger, a Forest Service ranger, can be found in Dutchman Tunnel). The trail switchbacks four times above Wiesendanger Falls, and soon passes the lip of Ecola Falls. The tread is rocky in places, but the climb isn't nearly as steep as it was in the beginning. Views up Multnomah Creek from here reveal a scorched understory and blackened tree trunks. Another quarter mile brings you to a trail junction with the Wahkeena Trail and then another creek bridge, this newest version made of steel and installed post-Eagle Creek Fire in 2018.
Above this bridge, the trail follows Multnomah Creek a short distance up the hillside. You'll cross a wide creek: It's hard to keep your feet dry here in the wet season. When the trail drops back to creek level, it splits into two trails. The main trail runs right alongside the creek under an overhang of platy andesite, an outflow from the Larch Mountain shield volcano. During the summer, it's a beautiful walk next to the creek. In the spring, this area floods, so hikers will need to take the alternate route signed as the "High Water Trail" to switchback up the ridge. The two trails come back together opposite the place where Big John Creek flows into Multnomah Creek from the west.
Now you'll enter a patch of lush, mossy forest undamaged by the 2017 fire. Cross Multnomah Basin Road, which leads east towards Nesika Lodge, and enter the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness (This western section of the wilderness was added in 2009). Soon pass the Franklin Ridge Trail #427. You'll see the confluence of the East and West Forks of Multnomah Creek and cross the East Fork of Multnomah Creek and then the West Fork, both on single log bridges with handrails.
The trail switchbacks up from the creek in a scorched understory and traverses a long ridge up the west side of the Larch Mountain Crater. The Eagle Creek Fire was especially harsh on this slope, and hundreds of blackened, dead conifers are the vestiges of this intense conflagration. Cross an open talus slope, and pass two massive Douglas firs. Hiking higher, you'll finally pass out of the 2017 fire zone. The verdant understory overflows with wood fern, deer fern, twin flower, foam flower, bleeding heart and huckleberry. There are more big trees as you hike up past a mossy boulder field to the Larch Mountain-Multnomah Creek Way Trail Junction. Continue on the Larch Mountain Trail, and cross a small closed road. Next, there's a stint on an often boggy tread through a vast stand of silver fir. You'll know you're getting close when you begin to pass abandoned picnic tables and firepits filled with moss and ferns. Eventually, winded and worn out, you'll reach an old turnaround; the Larch Mountain Trailhead is down to your right. There are restrooms there as well as a picnic spot.
From the turnaround, hike up a third of a mile on the paved Sherrard Point Trail #443 to Sherrard Point. The trail dips and passes the spur from the Larch Mountain Trailhead before ascending a series of steps in a summit forest dominated by noble fir. Blooming on the steep rock faces are Howell’s daisies, alumroot, rock penstemon, matted saxifrage, and Cardwell’s penstemon. The view from the top makes it all worth while. Below the point, you'll see a tarn and the crater meadow. The Columbia River can be seen west to Washougal and east past Mount Defiance. On the Washington side, you'll also see Silver Star Mountain, Birkenfeld Mountain, and Table Mountain, while behind them rise the snowy peaks of Mount Saint Helens, Mount Rainier, and Mount Adams. To the south, Mount Hood and the top of Mount Jefferson are visible.
You can return to Multnomah Falls by making a loop around the Larch Mountain crater using the Oneonta and Multnomah Creek Way Trails: This will add about two miles to your day.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- No fees
- Share trails with mountain bikers around Larch Mountain
- Restrooms, restaurant, Forest Service information at Multnomah Falls Lodge
- Picnic area, restrooms at Larch Mountain Trailhead
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
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Zigzag Ranger District
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mt. Hood National Forest
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Larch Mountain
- Larch Mtn - Nov 25, 2018
- Larch Mountain
- Flip Floppin up Larch Mountain - 4/22/17
- Larch Mountain Loop June 16–17, 2017
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Larch Mountain
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland by Paul Gerald
- Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain
- Day Hiking: Columbia River Gorge by Craig Romano
- PDX Hiking 365 by Matt Reeder
- Best Hikes Near Portland by Fred Barstad
- 70 Virtual Hikes of the Columbia River Gorge by Northwest Hiker
- Hiking the Columbia River Gorge by Russ Schneider, revised by Jim Yuskavitch
- Take a Hike: Portland by Barbara I. Bond
- Columbia Gorge Hikes: 42 Scenic Hikes by Don & Roberta Lowe
- 35 Hiking Trails: Columbia River Gorge by Don & Roberta Lowe
- 70 Hiking Trails: Northern Oregon Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
- 100 Oregon Hiking Trails by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Short Trips and Trails: The Columbia Gorge by Oral Bullard & Don Lowe
- Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
- Hiking Oregon's Geology by Ellen Morris Bishop
- Best Trail Runs: Portland, Oregon by Adam W. Chase, Nancy Hobbs, and Yassine Dibboun
- Trail Running: Oregon by Lizann Dunegan
- Best Hikes With Dogs: Oregon by Ellen Morris Bishop
More Links
- Larch Mountain Trail #441 (USFS)
- Sherrard Point Trail #443 (USFS)
- Larch Mountain Trail #441 (Columbia River Highway)
- Multnomah Falls ~ Multnomah Creek - Larch Mtn ~ Sherrard Point Loop Hike (Northwest Hiker) (longer loop)
- Larch Mountain on Summit Post
- Multnomah Falls Lodge
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)