COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE HIKES

WESTERN SKAMANIA COUNTY HIKING

Sam's Walker Trail, Skamania WA - 6 miles (9.65 K) from Quinn Mountain

Level: Easy
Amount of Use: Moderate
This is a two-mile trail with two loops through oak and conifer forests and meadows with nice views of the Columbia River. Turn left on the west end of Skamania Landing Road- this road is a loop - don't take the east end.) Cross the railroad tracks and continue for 1/4 mile (.4K) . To the right you will see a parking area at the trail head.
Elevation: 60 feet.

St. Cloud Trail - 4 miles (6.43 K) from  Quinn Mountain

Level: Easy Universal Access
Amount of Use: Moderate
The footpath is about a mile long, meandering through a 50-year-old apple orchard. A pleasant spot for picnics (5 areas) with access to the Columbia River and a view of Multnomah Falls. To reach the trail, travel west of Stevenson on Highway 14 for about 14 miles (22.53K). Travel 3 miles (4.83K) west of Skamania Landing and the Skamania General Store, then turn south 0.1 miles (.16K) past Milepost 30 off Highway 14.

Beacon Rock - 10  miles (16 K) from Quinn Mountain

Level: More Difficult
Amount of Use: Heavy
Beacon Rock is a well known landmark that is recommended for first time visitors to the Gorge. Beacon Rock is the core of an extinct volcano about 10 miles (16.09K) west of Stevenson and 35 miles (56.33K) east of Vancouver on the south side of Highway 14. Henry J. Biddle, an early owner of the rock, finished the original trail in 1918. The plug is 848 feet (.25K) high with handrails lining most of the ascent. The trail is 4,500 feet (1.37K) long with a 15 percent grade and takes 45 minutes to an hour to make the round trip. The trail is open year round and is maintained by the State Park.

Hamilton Mountain- 10 miles (16 K) from Quinn Mountain

Level: More Difficult
Amount of Use: Moderate
The trail to Hamilton Mountain starts from Beacon Rock State Park (just across Highway 14 from the rock itself) and is four miles one way. Hikers will enjoy lush forest scenery and views of Hardy Creek and Rodney Falls about one mile up and the "Pool of the Winds," an impressive cavern enclosing Rodney Falls. Allow two hours to hike each way. The trail is a gradual climb has a total elevation gain of  2,100 feet (.64K) and is open and maintained year round by Beacon Rock State Park.

Fort Cascades Trail - 13 miles (20.92 K) from Quinn Mountain

Level: Easy
Amount of use: Moderate
This interpretive trail is near Bonneville Dam off the Dam Access Road. It is a short one-and-a-half mile loop along flat ground. The trail includes several sights of important events that happened during early settlement of this area. The guide brochure numbers and explains each sight in the order the hiker comes to them, offering a "hands-on" historical experience. The Fort Cascades Trail Guide is available at the Dam visitor center and the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce in Stevenson.

Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail - 14 miles (25.74 K) from Quinn Mountain

Level: More Difficult
Amount of Use: Moderate
The trail is widely known and begins in Canada following the Cascade Mountain Range south to the deserts of Mexico. The section that lies in Skamania County begins at the trail head on the north side of Highway 14 across from the Bridge of the Gods . Hikers also have the option of beginning from the trail head across from the entrance to Bonneville Dam. A third place to access the trail is near the Wind River Ranger District. Drive past the Ranger District and take the first right beside Hemlock Lake. Drive up the road about 1/2 mile (.8K) and the trail is on the left with a wooden foot bridge spanning Trout Creek. After about the first mile, there is an exceptional look-out point with views overlooking the Wind River Nursery and the Wind River canyon area. National Forest Maps are available showing water, camping, supplies and horse areas.

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EASTERN SKAMANIA COUNTY HIKING

Wind Mountain - 22 miles (35.4 K) from Quinn Mountain

Level: Most Difficult
Amount of Use: Moderate
This is about a three mile hike (1,000 foot elevation gain) that offers remarkable views of the Gorge and authentic Indian vision quest sites. Travel 6 miles east of Stevenson on Highway 14 and turn left on Wind Mountain Road (1/2 mile (.8K) past Home Valley Store). Follow the road about a mile to a gravel parking lot. A wide gravel path at the east end of the lot leads downhill to the Bob Kuse Memorial Trail. Hikers should be careful of rattlesnakes during the hot summer months.

Dog Mountain - 24 miles (38.62 K) from Quinn Mountain

Level: Most Difficult
Amount of Use: Heavy
A very popular trail, particularly from mid-April through early June, when the hills are filled with blooming wildflowers. Hikers will also see impressive views of Mount St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood. The trail is somewhat challenging as it gains 2,400 feet (.73K) in elevation and is 3.5 miles (5.63K) to the top. It is open March through December, although hikers should watch for rattlesnakes during the hot summer months. To reach the trail, travel 10 miles east of Stevenson. After Milepost 53 on Highway 14 , there is a large dirt parking lot on the north side of the highway and a sign marks the trail head.

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GIFFORD PINCHOT NATIONAL FOREST HIKING -
North of Carson, WA

Grassy Knoll Trail #146  - 38 miles (61.15 K) from Quinn Mountain

Level: Most Difficult
Amount of Use: Moderate
Spectacular views of the Cascade Mountain range are offered. Wildflower season is early June through the end of July. Travel 4 miles (6.44K) north of Carson on Wind River Highway and turn right on Bear Creek Road (Forest Road #6808). Follow #6808 about 13 miles (20.92K) to the junction of forest roads #6808 and #68. Turn left and follow #68 west for about 2.5 miles (4.02K) to the junction of Forest Road #68 and #6800-511 (Spur Road 511). The trail head and a parking area are located at the junction. Elevation: Trail head elevation is 2,840 feet: trail end elevation is 4,000 feet. Length of trail: 5.5miles (8.85K).

Dry Creek Trail #194 - 22 miles (35.41 K) from Quinn Mountain

Level: More Difficult
Amount of Use: Moderate
Trail runs parallel to Dry Creek, a wide stream bottom. Old growth forest and the rushing Bourbon Creek enhance this trail. About four miles down the trail, an 8 ft. water crossing is required at Bourbon Creek. The trail intersects trail #158 after the water crossing and ends. Access the trail by road #5401 just south of the Trapper Creek Wilderness. To start at the north end, drive past the Carson National Fish Hatchery. Instead of turning right onto the Wind River Highway, go straight or slightly left onto road #64. The trail head is about 4 miles (6.44K) up the #64 road on the left side. Elevation: Trail head is 1,200 feet elevation; trail end is 1,400 feet elevation.

Trapper Creek Wilderness is a special recreation area located in the Gifford Pinchot National forest that offers many hiking opportunities. No cars or motor vehicles are allowed to travel inside the Wilderness Area, so hiking and camping in the areas are peaceful getaways. The area is free of snow by mid-July, but is best explored in September after the mosquitoes are gone. Maps of the area are available showing trails, lakes, streams and campsites. The following trails are within the Trapper Creek Wilderness:

Observation Peak (#132A)

Level: More Difficult
Amount of Use: Moderate
Observation Peak is the site of a former fire look-out with the potential to view no less than five mountain peaks on a clear day! Look for Mt. Adams, Mount St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker and Mt. Jefferson. Trail head is 3,800 feet (1.15K) elevation.

Soda Peaks Lake (#133)

Level: Most Difficult
Amount of Use: Moderate
This windy steep trail ascends 2,200 feet through a dense conifer forest for four miles to Soda Peaks Lake and circles up the ridge. The bowl-shaped Soda Peaks Lake is surrounded by conifers in a mountainous setting. Elevation: Trail head is 1,400 feet (.42K) elevation; trail end is 4,200 feet (1.28K) elevation. Length of trail: 5.5 miles (8.85K)

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FALLS CREEK FALLS TRAILS (More info at FALLS CREEK FALLS)
 

Upper Falls Creek Trail #152 - 24 miles (38.62K) from Quinn Mountain

Level: More Difficult
Amount of Use: Light
Travel north of Carson on the Wind River Highway to mile post 15. Turn right onto Forest road #3602 and follow this road for 2.5 miles (4.02K) to the trail head. The grade of the trail slowly climbs away from Falls Creek and crosses two creeks before reaching the waterfall in about 2.5 miles (4.02K). The trail flattens out for about .75 mile (1.21K) where it meets road #6503 and ends. Falls Creek surges over rocks and timber cascading from a height of about 100 feet. Elevation at trail head is 1,300 feet and at end of trail is 2,400 feet. Length of trail: 4 miles (6.44K)

Lower Falls Creek Trail #152A - 24 miles (38.62K) from Quinn Mountain

Level: More Difficult, but less difficult than the Upper Falls described above
Amount of Use: Light
Follow the same directions for Upper Falls Creek Trail #152 EXCEPT after driving 1.5 miles (2.41K) on road #3062, turn right on road #057 and continue .25 mile (.40K) to the trail head. An easy 1 mile (1.61K) hike to the lower level of the spectacular Falls Creek waterfall has lots of trillium in the spring. A bridge crosses the creek. Continuing uphill along the north bank of Falls Creek where the trail ends at the waterfall. Trail head is 1,520 feet elevation; trail end is 2,038 elevation. Length of trail: 1.7 miles (2.74K).
 

WHISTLE PUNK TRAIL at the Wind River Canopy Crane - 23 miles (37.01K)  from Quinn Mountain

One of the only three scientific forest cranes in the world, the Wind River Canopy Crane is a research facility that studies the old growth forest eco-system, with special emphasis on the forest canopy. Walk the Whistle Punk Trail which features interpretive signs about the history of the logging in the Northwest and the story of the treetops (survival, adaption, and plant communities).

This information was provided courtesy of the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce and the Wind River Ranger District. If you are looking for more detailed maps, contact the Ranger District at 509-427-3200 or the Chamber at 800-989-9178. Enjoy the lush scenery, waterfalls, wildflowers and spectacular views encountered on the trails within the Gorge and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest featured here..