TRAVEL

Dog Mountain offers peak wildflower viewing in Columbia River Gorge

Zach Urness
Statesman Journal

To climb Dog Mountain during the height of wildflower season is to experience the very best, and very worst, of the Columbia River Gorge all at once.

The meadows of this mountain east of Stevenson, Wash. light up with red paintbush, blue lupine and such a thick carpet of yellow balsamroot that it feels as though you're walking in fields of gold high above the Columbia River.

Throw in views of Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood and — despite a steep and difficult hike — you have an earthly paradise for a few weeks each year in late May and early June.

In other words, right now.

The upper meadows of Dog Mountain on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge near Stevenson, feature a spectacular carpet of balsamroot during May and early June. Reaching this paradise, which also offers excellent views of the Gorge, requires a 2800 foot climb.

Problem is, this trail is not some hidden gem or well-kept secret. The easy access and well-deserved fame lures a sizable chunk of Portland and Vancouver's 2.2 million citizens, turning the trail into a shopping mall staircase on sunny weekends.

You'll meet packs of unleashed dogs, cell phone photographers around every corner and hoards of fitness-focused (shirtless and sports-bra wearing) 20-somethings on the 3 mile trek to the top.

A wilderness experience this is not.

But just like traveling to Multnomah Falls, solitude isn't really the point, and crowds of people are the price for profound beauty.

The wildflowers normally peak in the upper meadows in mid or late May and then slowly decline, said Greg Leif, founder and operator of OregonWildflowers.org, an excellent resource.

So spotlight a time midweek — or get a very early start — to experience the stunning views and stunning crowds of what might be the Gorge's best spring hike.

THE HIKE

Dog Mountain Trail does not mess around.

The trail shoots uphill at a relentless grade, climbing 2,850 calf-burning feet on a hike best undertaken as a 7-mile loop.

Beginning on the side of Evergreen Highway 14 — east of Stevenson and the Bridge of the Gods — Dog Mountain Trail climbs a half-mile to one of the most honest trail junctions I've ever come across.

The trail splits in two here. A sign pointing left says "more difficult" while the sign pointing right says "less difficult."

Signs direct hikers up Dog Mountain on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. This sign let's hikers pick their poison.

A person could go batty contemplating the implications of this intersection. Should I take the path less traveled? Prove myself by undertaking the tougher test?

The reality isn't that complex. The "less difficult" option is just a newer trail with an easier grade and better views to boot. So unless you feel like punishing yourself for no good reason, go right.

The trail breaks into the open at mile 1.5, showcasing a lower meadow and a small taste of the wildflowers and views above. The lower meadow makes a good turn-around point for those uninterested in marching another 1,300 feet to the summit.

The lower meadows of Dog Mountain on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge near Stevenson, feature a nice collection of balsamroot and other wildflowers during May and early June. It is a bit easier to reach with just 1600 feet of elevation gain.

The next 1.5 miles continue the relentless uphill slog, mostly within second-growth forest where poison oak is abundant, until the trail breaks into the open and you reach the phantasmal golden fields of the upper meadows.

It's difficult to overstate the spectacular nature — and the sheer size — of the upper meadows. Vast swaths of the mountainside are covered with balsamroot in meadows that hang over the top of the Columbia River.

The upper meadows of Dog Mountain on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge near Stevenson, feature a spectacular carpet of balsamroot during May and early June. Reaching this paradise, which also offers excellent views of the Gorge, requires a 2800 foot climb.

A closer look at the meadows reveals flowers like baby blue eyes, cluster lilies, Indian paintbrush and desert parsley.

The summit is easy enough to find by following trail signs. There are nice places to sit and enjoy lunch, the views and the wildflowers.

Once you've had your fill, I recommend a different route down to complete a 7-mile loop.

To save your knees and enjoy a less crowded descent, follow signs from near the summit to Augspurger Mountain Trail. The northwest route is a bit longer — four miles instead of three — but the trail is less steep and arrives at the Dog Mountain Trailhead on the far side of the parking lot.

Dog Mountain isn't a place you're likely to find solitude, but for the next three weeks or so, it would be difficult to discover a place more stunning.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, photographer and videographer in Oregon for six years. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. For more news, adventures and trips see Our Oregon Outdoors on Facebook or ZachsORoutdoors on Twitter.

Dog Mountain is home to spectacular wildflower displays during spring.

Dog Mountain

General location: Washington side of Columbia River Gorge, near Stevenson and Bridge of the Gods.

Distance: 7 mile loop

Climb: 2,850 feet of gain

Difficulty: Strenuous

Route: From trailhead, follow Dog Mountain Trail, taking the "less difficult" option, to the upper summit meadows. On the way down, follow Augspurger Mountain Trail back to the trailhead.

Directions: About a one hour and 50 minute drive from Salem. From Salem, follow Interstate 5 north toward Portland and head east on Interstate 84 to Exit 44 toward Cascade Locks and Bridge of the Gods. Cross the bridge ($1 toll) into Washington and turn right on Highway 14. Drive east 12 miles, passing Stevenson, to between milepost 53 and 54 and the trailhead is on the left. The trailhead is huge and impossible to miss.

Coordinates: N45 41.951, W121 42.545

Hint: Input the coordinates into Google Maps on your iPhone or tablet device to navigate directly to the trailhead.

Dog Mountain is home to spectacular wildflower displays during spring.

HIKE DOG MOUNTAIN WITH A SALEM GROUP

Registrations are open for a hike on May 31 on Dog Mountain on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge.

John Savage is the leader for the all-day outing that assembles at 6:30 a.m. with an anticipated return to Salem about 5 p.m. The outing is the second of three Spring Nature Hikes sponsored by the Straub Environmental Center.

You need to pack food and water and dress for the weather.

For more information or to register, call Savage at (503) 399-8615 after 7 p.m.

Dog Mountain is home to spectacular wildflower displays during spring. Indian paintbrush is seen here.