These 16 hikes are still open and stunning in the Columbia River Gorge

It’s going to be a different kind of season in the Columbia River Gorge.

The outdoor playground east of Portland still hasn’t recovered from last summer’s Eagle Creek Fire.

Many of the Gorge’s most popular trails remain closed. And places that have reopened are likely to be more crowded than normal.

Here’s a guide to what’s open, closed and great for hiking in this unique year of healing.

“It’s not business as usual when it comes to hiking in the Gorge this year,” said Kevin Gorman, executive director of the Friends of the Columbia River Gorge. “Get out and enjoy it, but remember to be a little more thoughtful about where you go. Make a plan and get started early."

More: These 13 Gorge hiking trails were burned by the Eagle Creek Fire. Here’s how they look now

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What’s still closed, and for how long?

A large collection of trails in the western Gorge, on the Oregon side, remain closed due to fire damage.

There are basically three classes of fire damaged trails, in terms of when they will reopen.

(See full map below)

Open soon: East of Cascade Locks

The collection of trails east of Cascade Locks were the least damaged by the fire and are expected to open this summer, U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Rachel Pawlitz said.

That would include places such as Herman Creek, Starvation Creek, Dry Creek Falls and possibly the Pacific Crest Trail.

A good description of the damage came from this report on Herman Creek Trail: “At this time, the trail appears to be in fair condition, with little work needed on segment assessed,” trail crews wrote. “Some sloughing on switchback and berms. Large boulders upslope of trail that could become loose due to lack of vegetation and effects of rain.”

Open by end of 2018: West Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls recently reopened up to its lower viewing platform, but pretty much everything else in the area remains closed.

All the trails higher up Multnomah remain closed and are likely to remain so throughout the summer at least.

It's the same case for Wahkeena Falls, Angel's Rest and Larch Mountain. The goal is to open them before the year’s end, but whether that means late summer or fall isn’t clear yet.

At Angel’s Rest, a popular steep climb to a sweeping viewpoint, the fire burned away all the vegetation, making the slopes unstable.

“It burned off so much vegetation that it really altered the landscape,” Pawlitz said. “In addition to being physically unstable, people navigating off-trail is a big concern because this was already an area where we averaged about one fatal accident per year.”

No timeline for opening: Multnomah Falls to Cascade Locks

Many of the Gorge’s most beloved hiking trails will remain closed through 2018 and beyond.

That includes gems such as Horsetail Falls, Wahclella Falls, Eagle Creek and Elowah Falls.

The fire burned hottest in this area — after igniting along Eagle Creek. The result, according to reports, are conditions so dire officials have struggled to even assess damage.

At popular Wahclella Falls Trail, for example, crews observed the “trail is covered in rocks, and tread is buried in multiple places,” they wrote. “Landslides and washouts observed. Multiple logs across trail.”

Future concerns included “continuous rock fall, upslope hazards and possibility of slides along trail.”

Hikes that are open but likely crowded

There are plenty of places not heavily impacted by the Eagle Creek Fire that already have reopened.

But because they’re well-known and close to Portland, they’re already seeing very crowded weekends. That’s only expected to get worse as the weather improves with spring and summer.

Latourell Falls

One of the few classic waterfall hikes in the Gorge that was relatively unscathed, this 2.3-mile loop takes in two beautiful waterfalls in a lush environment.

But to actually enjoy this hike on a weekend, officials recommended arriving by 8 or 9 a.m.

“If you arrive later than 10 a.m. on a weekend, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself driving around looking for a place to park,” said Glenn Littrell, park ranger supervisor for state parks in the western Gorge. “It can get really congested.”

Bridal Veil Falls

Another classic Gorge waterfall, the full hike to Bridal Veil and back totals about 1 mile. It’s just up the road from Latourell, and the same rules apply: Arrive early on weekends. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with nowhere to park and no shoulder space during the hike.

Beacon Rock State Park

There’s a couple of options at this increasingly popular state park on the Washington side of the Gorge.

The first is the classic, switchback-filled trek to the top of the volcanic plug with sweeping Gorge views. That hike is 2 miles round-trip with 600 feet of climb.

Other great options include a hike to Rodney Falls (2.2 miles roundtrip) or the top of Hamilton Mountain (7.6 miles, 2,000 feet of climb).

Weekend crowds have grown, officials said, and arriving early is a must on weekends. Day-passes cost $10.

Rowena Crest Viewpoint

The volcanic plateau east of Hood River already is a popular place in the spring due to its spectacular wildflower blooms. This season, it's expected to be really, really popular.

Still, the two hikes that begin here are worth taking, either midweek or early on a weekend.

Rowena Crest is 2.5-miles out-and-back, and it is mostly flat, while Tom McCall Point is 5 miles round-trip with 1,070 feet of climb.

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Dog Mountain

The situation at Dog Mountain, a hike famous for its spectacular displays of wildflowers, is a little more complex than the above hikes.

Anyone who wants to hike this trail, on the Washington side of the Gorge near Stevenson, will need to obtain a permit in advance for weekends from March 31 to July 1.

A total of 165 permits, costing $1.50 each, will be available each weekend day through recreation.gov. A second way is to ride the shuttle service operated by Skamania County — each rider automatically gets a permit, and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis at a cost of $1 per trip, or $2 roundtrip.

More details: Popular Dog Mountain hike will require permit on weekends this spring in Columbia River Gorge

Cape Horn

A short drive from Vancouver on the Washington side of the Gorge, this well-traveled route explores a high bluff home to stunning views, a forest of big-leaf maples that light up in autumn and wildflowers that bloom in spring.

The hike is 7 miles round-trip and climbs a total of 1,630 feet, making it a challenging trek.

Already a popular spot, there’s a good chance this area has plenty of visitors this spring and summer.

Great Gorge options

Just because the most popular hikes remain closed — and some of the others will be more crowded than normal — doesn’t mean you need to abandon the Gorge.

Here are some good alternatives.

Columbia Hills State Park

Entire hillsides are transformed into fields of gold during the height of wildflower season at this state park on the Washington side of the Gorge, just across from The Dalles.

While crowds are apparently on the rise, there are enough miles of trails that even on a busy day, things don’t feel too crowded.

A day pass costs $10. But that can include entry to three hiking areas:

Petroglyphs Trail: See ancient images from Petroglyph Canyon on this very short viewing area near the campground.

Horsethief Butte: Hike around this ancient ring of basalt that rises above Celilo Lake on the Columbia River. A short, easy and beautiful hike explores the edges of this ring on a 1.2-mile hike that’s mostly flat and ends with a view of the river.

More: Oregon Top 5: Best easy wildflower hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

Dalles Mountain Ranch: From mid-April to May — depending on conditions — yellow balsamroot and purple lupine cover entire hillsides on this enchanted route with stunning views of Mount Hood. Thirteen miles of often-challenging trails surround Dalles Mountain Ranch, the historic buildings passed on the way to the trailhead.

Catherine Creek

Similar to Columbia Hills, this collection of trails across from Hood River, on the Washington side of the Gorge, is quite popular but has enough miles of trail that it spreads people out.

Arch Rock Loop, at 2.1 miles, is an easy option with wildflowers and great Mount Hood views. There are numerous longer hikes possible.

Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Located just east of Vancouver on the Washington side of the Gorge, this often overlooked wildlife refuge features a nice spring hike flush with wildlife.

The Gibbons Creek Wildlife Art Trail, which incorporates artistic elements to the outdoor experience, offers a 3.2-mile loop and features meadows, riparian forest, oak savanna along with views of Mount Hood and the Columbia.

The trail is ideal for children, even small ones, because of its short distance, flat terrain and bountiful wildlife.

More: Kid-friendly hike near Portland combines art, nature at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Mosier Twin Tunnels

This beautiful route on the Historic Columbia River Highway between Hood River and Mosier is closed to vehicle traffic and probably best known as a bike route.

But it also works for hiking, and the well-graded pavement makes nice conditions for those exploring with a stroller, who can turn around whenever the mood strikes.

Beginning from Mark O. Hatfield West Trailhead just outside Hood River, the route is 4.7 miles one way to Mosier and known as the Twin Tunnels segment. The trail transitions from lush west-side forest to more east-side prairie, where wildflowers begin to show up in abundance.

The views of the Columbia and the blooms of wildflowers are outstanding.

Mosier Plateau

This hike is on the steep end of "easy," but it's very pretty, and the fact that it starts right within the wonderful town of Mosier is a bonus.

The Mosier Plateau Trail climbs 600 feet and travels 3.5 miles round-trip, heading through a park, following a creek, passing a waterfall and ending on a plateau with beautiful Gorge views.

Peak wildflower season is normally mid- to late-April (but it's early this year). The ubiquitous balsamroot is the star of the show, but the hike also features buttercups, blue-eyed mary and others.

St. Cloud Day Use Area and Trail

This historic site east of Washougal, on the Washington side of the Gorge, features a great family stroll through a historic apple orchard along St. Cloud Interpretive Trail No. 4410.

The trail is wide and graveled with signs explaining the site's history and views of the Oregon side of the Gorge. Picnic tables at the viewpoint help complete the experience for day trippers.

Sams Walker Day Use Area and Trail

A secluded pastoral setting on the Washington side of the Gorge, near Stevenson, with an accessible loop trail providing interpretive signs about the site's history and ecology.

Very lightly used, this is a great family picnic site. Views of the Oregon side of the Gorge are impressive.

Klickitat Trail

This rail-to-trail on the Washington side of the Gorge is best-known for mountain biking, but it’s also a nice place to hike.

Start at the Klickitat Trailhead in Lyle and follow the trail up the Klickitat River as far as your legs desire before turning around and heading back.

Lower Deschutes River Trail

Similar to Klickitat Trail, this hike follows the Lower Deschutes River upstream for numerous miles. It’s best for mountain biking but also is great for spring hiking.

From Deschutes State Recreation Area, east of The Dalles, simply hike upstream as far as your legs will take you into a bright, multicolored canyon land.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, photographer and videographer in Oregon for 10 years. He is the author of the book “Hiking Southern Oregon” and can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.

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