Terry Richard/The Oregonian

As spring’s sun begins to peek out from the gray, the knife that is all the trails closed in the Columbia River Gorge seems to twist a little more.

Still recovering from the devastating Eagle Creek fire last summer, most of the trails on the Oregon side of the gorge remain closed due to dangerous conditions. Officials with the U.S. Forest Service are working to open some damaged trails this spring and summer, but for now it's wise to just steer clear and stick with hikes that are open and safe.



Because while the Eagle Creek area is one of the most popular spots to hike in the gorge, it's by no means the only place with gorgeous waterfalls and sweeping views of the Columbia River. Trails on the Washington side of the river, for example, were unaffected by the fire, and offer incredible views on hikes both easy and difficult – with the added bonus of wildflowers later this season.



But before you strap on your hiking boots and head out there, take note: Many of these trails are extremely busy on beautiful weekend days, and this year forest officials expect them to be even busier. Show up early or on a weekday afternoon, if you can swing it.

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Flickr/Jeff Hollett

1. Dog Mountain

Distance: 6.9 miles

Difficulty: Difficult

Trailhead: Dog Mountain Trailhead



Dog Mountain – or Sweatin' Like a Dog Mountain – lives up to its name, with miles of punishing switchbacks that require fitness and endurance to tackle. Easily one of the most popular hikes in the gorge, Dog Mountain is one of the best places to see meadows of wildflowers in late spring, with sweeping views of the Columbia River year-round. This year, the U.S. Forest Service will begin requiring permits to hike the trail on weekends in peak season.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

2. Hamilton Mountain

Distance: 7.5 miles

Difficulty: Moderately difficult

Trailhead: Hamilton Mountain Trailhead



A popular hike above Beacon Rock State Park, Hamilton Mountain is a perfect place to get yourself back in shape for the season. The steep switchbacks are challenging, but won't destroy you, and the multitude of views at and near the top are a sweet reward. Because of that, however, Hamilton Mountain remains an incredibly popular destination, and there's a good chance the parking lot and overflow lot will both be full by mid-morning.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

3. Wind Mountain

Distance: 2.5 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Trailhead: Wind Mountain Trailhead



The hike to the top of Wind Mountain is short but sweet, and makes for a great place to stop and have lunch, or else stare out silently into the gorge. The summit offers views both north and south up the Columbia River – Mount Adams looming in one direction, Mount Hood in the other. It was once known as a spirit quest destination for local Native American tribes, and is still occasionally used for that purpose.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

4. Table Mountain

Distance: 15.5 miles

Difficulty: Difficult

Trailhead: Bonneville Trailhead



One of the toughest hikes in the gorge, the trek to Table Mountain is long and, at the end, an arduous climb. Prepare yourself for a long walk through clear-cuts and up forested switchbacks, before arriving at the final 2-mile push up a steep slope of loose rocks. Views at the top are phenomenal, but the hike back down requires a heavy dose of caution and a trekking pole or walking stick to aid your descent.

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

5. Coyote Wall

Distance: 7.8 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Trailhead: Coyote Wall Trailhead



An old destination for mountain bikers, Coyote Wall is a beautiful hike up the cliffs and plateaus of the eastern side of the gorge. A nearly 8-mile hike leads to the lower and upper Coyote Wall viewpoints and runs along the western edge of The Labyrinth ­– a maze-like area of narrow canyons and volcanic scrublands.

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

6. Columbia Hills

Distance: 6.9 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Trailhead: Crawford Oaks Trailhead



Columbia Hills Historical State Park is a big area on the far eastern side of the gorge, with 12.4 miles of snaking trails that lead to Native American petroglyphs, a historic homestead and Horsethief Butte, a destination for climbers. One of the best ways to see the park is on the 7-mile Dalles Mountain Ranch hike, which leads up into the grassy hills filled with wildflowers in late spring, overlooking views of the Columbia River and past historic buildings.

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Jamie Francis/The Oregonian

7. Catherine Creek

Distance: 5.4 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Trailhead: Catherine Creek Trailhead



One of the easiest places to hike on the Washington side of the gorge, Catherine Creek offers several opportunities for nice strolls. One of the best ways to see it – and get some mileage in, too – is along a combination of two loops: the Catherine Creek Arch Loop and Catherine Creek West Loop. Start at the trailhead, loop around to the arch and back, then loop around the west side of the canyon for a nice day of easy hiking.

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Courtesy of Jamie Hale

8. Lyle Cherry Orchard

Distance: 5.0 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Trailhead: Lyle Cherry Orchard Trailhead



A lovely hike through a historic cherry orchard in the hills above the gorge, the Lyle Cherry Orchard hike has the benefit of being less busy, while still offering the good views you come to expect. Switchbacks lead from the trailhead up the hills, and eventually it enters the cherry orchard itself, which is still on private land, and where hiking is allowed with a signed release found at the entrance.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

9. Weldon Wagon Trail

Distance: 4.5 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Trailhead: Weldon Wagon Trailhead



Park on the side of a back road beyond White Salmon, walk down an active logging road and you'll finally find the Weldon Wagon Trail, a secluded but beautiful hike in the hills behind the gorge. Originally built in the early 1900s to transport apples from the upper farmlands, the wagon road offers neither waterfalls nor views of the gorge, but gives a stunning look at Mount Hood along rolling hills filled with wildflowers and forests of white oak.

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Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service

10. Rooster Rock

Distance: 2.7 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Trailhead: Rooster Rock Trailhead



A place with much diversity to offer, Rooster Rock State Park is popular among stargazers, nudists, disc golfers, fishers, boaters, windsurfers and – for something a little simpler – hikers. An easy, 3-mile hike will take you along the length of the park, along the Columbia River and past Rooster Rock itself. But fair warning: Part of the beach here is clothing optional, and odds are pretty good you will run into somebody enjoying the park in the buff.

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AP Photo/Don Ryan

11. Rooster Rock Wagon Road

Distance: 4.8 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Trailhead: Portland Women's Forum Trailhead



A rare hike that starts with a good view, the Rooster Rock Wagon Road (also known as the Chanticleer Point Wagon Road) begins at the iconic Portland Women's Forum viewpoint, climbing down along on old road to Mirror Lake, just below the Vista House. Several abandoned cars and old structures line the trail, as well as a couple of small waterfalls.

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Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian

12. Mosier Twin Tunnels

Distance: 8.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Trailhead: Mark O. Hatfield West Trailhead



The Eagle Creek fire may have delayed the eventual completion of the 73-mile Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail – a paved pathway from Troutdale to The Dalles, envisioned as an international destination when finished – but the eastern end of the trail remains open. You can technically hike or bike a full 20 miles (one way) east from the Mark O. Hatfield West Trailhead, but all you really need to do is a nice 8.5-mile round-trip trek to the Mosier Twin Tunnels, one of the most iconic sites on the trail.

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Aimee Wade/Friends of the Columbia Gorge

13. Mosier Plateau

Distance: 3.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Trailhead: Mosier Trailhead



Another lovely hike full of wildflowers in spring, Mosier Plateau is one of the newest trails in the gorge, opened in 2013. In that time it's become quite popular, with an easy trek up above the small town of Mosier, and views of Coyote Wall across the river. The land is managed by Friends of the Columbia Gorge, which asks that you sign a release form before hitting the trail.

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

14. Memaloose Hills

Distance: 5.2 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Trailhead: Memaloose Rest Area Trailhead



It may begin in the parking lot of a rest stop, but the Memaloose Hills hike is full of natural beauty. Wildflowers are the main attraction of the trail, which leads up to viewpoints overlooking the Columbia River. This area is part of Memaloose State Park, which also has a campground on the other side of the rest area.

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Erik Gauger/Special to the Oregonian

15. Rowena Crest

Distance: 4.6 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Trailhead: Rowena Crest Trailhead

Just east of Memaloose Hills, Rowena Crest offers more wildflowers, and more good views of the gorge. Two trails combined are the best way to do it: the quick Rowena Plateau hike and the longer McCall Point hike. Together, they show off some of the best views on the eastern side of the gorge.

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