Sherrard Point Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Larch Mountain Trailhead
- End Point: Sherrard Point
- Trail Log : Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 0.6 miles round trip
- High point: 4,055 feet
- Elevation gain: 170 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Apr-Oct
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
This short walk on a paved trail does ascend a series of stairs, so it still could be a bit of a chore for those with heart problems. The destination is probably the best viewpoint in Multnomah County, the volcanic plug atop Larch Mountain known as Sherrard Point. Concrete panels at the site of the old lookout tell about the Cascade peaks in view, and there's an attractive and varied display of wildflowers around the rocky summit in early summer. Note that the name 'Larch Mountain' is a misnomer: larch, a much coveted tree often used for telephone poles, does not grow here - the name was coopted by the timber trade to label noble fir, which thrives at this elevation.
From late November/early December through June, the road leading to the top of Larch Mountain is gated about four miles down, so during those months the trip to Sherrard Point becomes a nine-mile round-trip hike/ski/snowshoe, mostly on the snow-covered road.
The trail departs from the northeast corner of the Larch Mountain parking lot. You want the paved trail on the far right, closest to the pay station. The paved trail wanders slightly downhill through a montane forest of noble fir, silver fir, mountain hemlock, and western hemlock to a saddle, where you'll pass the Larch Mountain Trail coming in from the left. Then you come to several flights of stairs - about 125 steps in all. Near the top, you'll see a plaque commemorating Thomas H. Sherrard, an early Mt. Hood National Forest Supervisor. Blooming on the steep rock faces in summer are Howell’s daisies, alumroot, rock penstemon, matted saxifrage, and Cardwell’s penstemon.
At the top, you'll find a flat cement viewpoint, fenced for safety. Below the point, you'll see a tarn and the crater meadow. The view extends to the coast range on the west and to Mount Defiance on the east. On the Washington side of the Gorge, you'll see Silver Star Mountain, Hamilton 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.
On the return, you can make a mini-loop by going left at the junction in the saddle. The trail takes you up to the old automobile turnaround, which is lined by a low stone wall. There used to be a viewpoint here. From the south end of this turnaround, take the trail down into the picnic area, and keep going to reach the 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
- 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 required at the trailhead.
- Restrooms and picnic area
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Sherrard Point Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Sherrard Point Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Columbia Gorge Getaways by Laura O. Foster
More Links
- Sherrard Point Trail #443 (USFS)
- Larch Mountain Picnic Area (USFS)
- Larch Mountain (Summit Post)
- Larch Mountain (Multnomah County, Oregon) (Wikipedia)
- "Larch Mountains, Washington and Oregon" (The Columbia River: A Photographic Journey)
- Larch Mountain, Sherrard Point (Outdoor Project)
- The Greatest Viewpoint of them all – Sherrard Point (Brian's Brain Dump)
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)