Harry's Ridge

Harry's Ridge

 

Area: Mount Saint Helens

Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1000 Feet
Facilities: Bathrooms at Johnston Ridge Observatory

Helpful Hint: check the Mount Saint Helens VolcanoCam before leaving for this hike to make sure the mountains not hidden by clouds.

If you’re interested in a moderately challenging hike, with a lot of incredible views of Mt. St. Helens, may we recommend this hike up to Harry’s Ridge?  It’s about 8 miles total and when you hit the top of the ridge, you’ll feel inspired and pretty much like a superhero.

To find this hike take I-5 N to Castle Rock Exit 49 and take a right on Hwy 504 to its end at Johnston Ridge Observatory.

First of all, know that when you go to Mt. St. Helens, you must pay to hike around there.  Go to the visitors center, use the bathroom, and pay your $8.  If you have a Northwest Forest Pass, that will get you one free wristband.  And, it’s not like there’s going to be anyone on the trail asking to see your pass, but hey, you know never know. 

Anyway, there are signs everywhere stating that this is a pretty dangerous hike.  These signs aren’t lying.  The ridges are fairly narrow, and if you aren’t a very experienced hiker, maybe you want to take the easier hike to Johnston Ridge.  The hike up to Harry’s Ridge is tough, though the elevation gain is only about 1000 feet. There are quite a few flat spots on the hike, but like I said, the ridges can get pretty narrow, and if you’re afraid of hikes, perhaps you can just not look down?

 

 

You can start at the trail leading from the far end of the parking lot at Johnston Ridge Observatory if you want to avoid the crowds. Or, from the observatory head uphill on the Eruption trail until you get to the junction with Boundary Trail. Stay right here.  You'll follow the trail parallel to the mountain for a ways before heading out on a narrow ridge taking you to a great viewpoint of the collapsed side of Mount Saint Helens at the 1.9 mile mark. You can usually see steam rising from the crater at this angle.

 

 

 

Continue on, passing the junction with Truman Trail and crossing a footbridge along the way.  To your right you can see Harry's Ridge. When you get to your next junction turn right and begin the hardest part of the hike up the ridge.  The beauty of this hike, and there is a lot of it, is just looking at the scenery, and figuring out where exactly the volcano took out trees and what is left now.  At the top of Harry’s Ridge, you have a perfect view of Spirit Lake, and the raft of logs that cover the top of the lake is both impressive and troubling.  All these trees were taken out in the eruption.

 

As you get to the top, you’ll know you're there because of the old scientific equipment that’s up there and was left after the eruption. You’ll also be able to look to your left and your right and see sky, mountains, and landscape, as far as the eye can see.  The walk back is just as beautiful, and if you look down, you’ll see a bunch of wild strawberries growing.  Don’t step on them!  And, I’m not so sure you should eat them, but others were, and I didn’t see anyone fall over and die, so they could be safe!

 

Overall, I think the hike took about 4 hours, but it was incredibly worth it. Just remember to bring some snacks for fuel, and definitely bring some water to hydrate.  There wasn’t any shade, and certainly no springs to dip your water bottles in.  Please heed all signs that state parts of the trail are dangerous, and just be careful. And enjoy!

Labyrinth Loop

Location: Coyote Wall
State: Washington
Distance: 5.8 miles
Fees: None
Facilities: At trail head, none.
Scenery: Views of Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood, Coyote Wall and Labyrinth Falls


The day started out like all other Portland days: cloudy and early! Morgan and I peered out our windows hopeful that the clouds would clear out by the time we got to our destination. However, first stop: to pick up Liz!


Morgan had made delicious peanut butter oatmeal muffins for our breakfast on the 2 hour drive toward Klickitat county. On the way there, I realized that I was low on gas, so our trek on Hwy 14 became a nervous drive in search of a gas station. Ok, I was nervous. However, we were in luck. We came across our first gas station at North Bonneville. Not the cheapest, but cheaper than others. Not only that, since we were in Washington and Andrea is a pure bred Oregonian, it means she's never pumped her own gas...until now.

With our bladders emptied and the gas tank halfway filled (did I mention gas is expensive) onward we went.


After some beautiful views from our car, we reached the trailhead. But Morgan is no regular hiker. She found us a trail off the beaten path. We passed a cattle chute and walked along the river for a bit on old Hwy 8, a hwy now closed off to cars, (don't panic mom!) and of course the first obligatory planking shot done by yours truly.

And we found a lovely spot to pee before we started on our trek up.

The trail was absolutely gorgeous. The weather couldn't be better. At first it started out a little windy, but as the sun heated the grass, it also heated our bodies. Everytime you turned around to see how far you'd gone, you'd be greeted with either the Columbia River or Mt Hood, with not a cloud in the sky, also, not even a soul around. Thank you Morgan for searching for a secluded trail!


You keep going straight on Hwy 8 and you'll pass the trail head of Coyote Wall, don't turn here:

This will actually be the end of our hike. Once we've reached this, we'll know we're done. Keep going another quarter mile to another trail head on the left. Start here. This is the begining of Labyrinth Loop, here:

Right after the trailhead there will be one of many forks in the road, we are to take a right. It's a bit steep and rocky but its not long at all. After the top of the hill, just keep following the trail toward the waterfall and a small cave. There were some beautiful views...

..including Mt. Hood

You will then hit Labyrinth Falls to the right and a view point. I foresee a picnic! 

We came back to the fork in the road to get back on the trail and go left up the steep ass hill! After that hill, which we must admit was pretty tough, you will come to a bridge over a little creek.

After the creek just follow the trail. The creek will be to your left. There will be a short rocky steep section. After that, keep following the trail up and you'll go through a little sparse forest and you'll have a cool rock formation on the right. 

Next, just keep on the trail and there will be an option to walk down to a view point to the left, or you can stay on the trail to the right. It will curve back in away from the river toward the right. Then, it will come to a fork. Keep to the right. Now, be prepared because this is steep and long. It's hard. We were trying to sing the Christina Aguilera song "Fighter" for motivation but we couldn't remember the lyrics which just made us laugh. Not good when you're already out of breath.  

You'll come up to another fork. Take a left heading up the steep trail heading toward that one tall tree.

After the fork, be prepared...this is the hardest part. Eventually the steep hill will even out to a point where you can just sit and rest. Please...sit and rest and be proud of what you've accomplished. 


Once you're ready, continue on, still a bit steep, you'll come to another fork, so stay left. 

It will then take you through another sparse part of the woods and opens up to a marvelous view. 

Keep following the trail. The creek will be down in the canyon to the left. It will bring you to another foot bridge. Cross it! After that, you'll reach another trail and you'll want to stay left, as Liz shows you.

This trail will take you toward private property to your right, so still hang a left. Another pretty view

Then, we took a look to see how far we'd come. We've come far.

After this, just keep following the trail. Later on, it will join up with another trail. Go through the fence and keep straight. You'll have people coming in from the right.

Then you'll meet up with more people and it will get slightly crowded...which is why we chose the most secluded. Just keep following and you'll end up back on road 8 on the trial head we passed. After that, take a right back to your car. I hope you enjoy the hike. It was a challenge, but a good challenge.

Cape Horn Trail

Location: Out and back from Park and Ride to falcon nesting grounds-8.2 miles
State: Washington
Distance: 8.2 miles
Fees: None
Facilities: Toilets at Park & Ride (yay!!)
Scenery: Maple forest, wildflowers, great gorge views and a waterfall.

     This is one of the closest hikes from Portland on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge making it a great hike if you're not up for a road trip. You do not need to cross any toll bridges either. It's probably about a 45 minute drive from south east Portland. To find this trail drive east on Hwy 14 from Vancouver 26 miles, turn left on Salmon Falls Road and park in the Park & Ride lot. If you need a pee break, take it here!

     The trail starts across Salmon Falls Road from the parking lot at a well-signed trailhead.  This trail starts with a comfortable climb through maple forest dotted with wildflowers in spring.  Switchbacks lead up to three great viewpoints of the Gorge.

This is a good place to do your own impression of the Lewis & Clark Interpretive signs found around here.

Andrea pointed out that this would be a very nice trail to run as we saw a few trail runners pass us by. She might be hitting it up sometime in the summer to test it out.

    When encountering any forks along the trail, keep left towards the gorge until the trail turns inward. Between February 1st and July 15th, you'll begin seeing signs warning due to Peregrine Falcon nesting season. You will be unable to continue on with the looped trail and will need to double back a bit. When you reach the old forest road take a left and continue until you see Cape Horn Trail re-emerging on the left.  Continuing on, you will follow the edge of a farm until you reach a paved road. Cross over to our first prime planking location of the hike...

Disclaimer: this one takes a strong core and good balance

When you're done planking on various surfaces, continue left on the trail and join up with the gravel drive that will lead you back into maple forest and a circular stone viewpoint dedicated to Nancy Russell, founder of Friends of the Columbia Gorge. From here you can see Beacon Rock to the East and Angel's Rest across the river. This is a great spot to rest, have a picnic, or more planking.

     After the viewpoint, the trail descends back into the woods toward Hwy 14 and through a tunnel, which leads under the highway.  After this, there's only a little over .5 miles to the nesting ground.  Check out the waterfall viewpoint before heading down to the bridge over the creek where the barrier will be. 

Outside of nesting season you can turn this into a 7 mile loop trail, which takes you to a second waterfall as well as a train tunnel overlook and then back to the Park & Ride lot via Cape Horn Road.  We will revisit this loop later in the season. Stay tuned...