Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Dog Mountain
Featured In:
Day Hiking: South Cascades,
by Dan A. Nelson and Alan L. Bauer.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. From the large parking area, the trail begins with a steep, 0.5-mile climb to a junction. Both trails before you lead to the top. My recommendation is to go right, since the left fork climbs steeply up the northern flank of the mountain. Use the longer, more gradual route on the right as it loops around to the east and climbs through broken forest that offers periodic views across the gorge. You can descend by the steeper northern route, or retrace your steps. The trails climb steeply, reconvening near the 3-mile mark, before the combined path crosses a little knoll known as Puppy Lookout. You're only 500 feet below the top at this point, so keep pushing and soon you'll be striding through the broad meadows of balsamroot blooms into the fabulous views south and west into the Columbia River Gorge.
Driving Directions:
From Carson, drive approximately 9 miles east on State Route 14 to the trail-head, just beyond milepost 53. The parking area and trailhead are on the left (north) side of the highway. Recent Trip Reports
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Dog Mountain
— Jul 16, 2011
— greybeard
Day hike
Issues:
Overgrown
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This trail was just as hard as we remembered from 10 years ago. Relentlessly steep, but in good shape...
This trail was just as hard as we remembered from 10 years ago. Relentlessly steep, but in good shape until near the top, where a few sections badly need to be brushed out. The views of the Gorge are worth the struggle. Balsamroot flowers are past their prime, but still some lupine and paintbrush. For excitement, a rattlesnake refused to yield the trail on the way down, scaring some hikers into backtracking to take an alternate trail down. For many, their first encounter with a "buzzworm." Treated ourselves to a lovely dinner at the Lyle Hotel afterwards(a great base for hiking/birding the eastern Gorge).
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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Wildflowers are still in full bloom. The trail is in fine condition. Lots of dogs, all on leashes. ...
Wildflowers are still in full bloom. The trail is in fine condition. Lots of dogs, all on leashes. Avoid the long route from Puppy Lookout to the Summit--the trail is overgrown with few flowers. You can't check for the Poison Oak either.
On the lowest leg of the hike there was a rattlesnake--the rattle was unmistakeable. From the sound, it was a baby. No one got bitten while I was there, but be careful. The views are great. Overall, a fine day hike. Day hike
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Wildflowers blooming
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If you're looking for an extra challenge--and spectacular views--hike Dog Mountain before the sunrise! It is well worth the extra...
If you're looking for an extra challenge--and spectacular views--hike Dog Mountain before the sunrise! It is well worth the extra effort; the photos don't begin to do it justice.
I started the hike at 2:30am, which left more than enough time to see the 5:15am sunrise from the top. It sounds absurd to hike that early, but give it one try and you'll be hooked! Make sure to dress VERY warmly (lots of layers and a windbreaker) and bring flashlights. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Mudholes
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I would love to see this hike on a clear sunny day. The weather forecast had called for some...
I would love to see this hike on a clear sunny day. The weather forecast had called for some sun at least, but I never saw it. Arriving late the trail was very populated. Poison oak lines the trail at lower elevations.
Wildflowers were blooming and that was the highlight of this hike on a cloudy day. The clouds were condensing on the trees, so while it wasn't actually raining, the trees were. This made most of the areas under the trees slick mud. I took Dog Mountain up and the Auspurger Trail down and both had areas of extreme mud. Not only deep in places, but just very slippery especially in the steep places. The summit itself was shrouded in cold clouds and the wind was extremely strong. From the look of the trees, that is normal. It was quite a nice challenging hike, physically. If it had just been the climb and the distance I would have enjoyed it much more, but the (unsuccessful)effort of staying upright in the mud made it a bit much. I was wearing my barefoot shoes, which don't have a lot of traction, but I saw others in hiking boots that were also having difficulties. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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Dog Mountain's stunning floral show is late this year. On May 25, 2009, the upper meadows were a solid yellow...
Dog Mountain's stunning floral show is late this year. On May 25, 2009, the upper meadows were a solid yellow carpet of blooming balsamroot. On May 24, 2011, the balsamroot buds were just beginning to open, held back by the cold spring weather. The lupine had not even put up buds yet!
From the trailhead on SR 14, 54 miles east of Vancouver (arrive early as this large parking lot fills up even on weekdays), we headed up the Augspurger Trail for 2.9 miles to the "Augie-Doggie" connector trail. This route is the least steep approach to the summit, wrapping around Dog Mountain on the west side. It traverses forest and scree slopes with many wildflower species in the understory. From the connector junction, it is about a mile across a ridge through forest and meadows to the Dog Mountain Trail. This trail segment held snowbanks until recently, so it is slick, soggy, muddy mess of bootprints. This trail also crosses the first meadows and gives the first big views down the Columbia Gorge and across at Mount Defiance in Oregon -- a taste of things to come. At the junction with the Dog Mountain Trail, we turned left for the short climb to the summit meadow, elevation 2,945 feet. This is the traditional lunch spot unless the wind is too strong to linger. On our hike, the sun was shining and the wind was blowing about 10 mph so we bundled up and stayed on the summit for lunch. On our return hike, we descended via the "scenic trail" (aka the new trail) for 3.4 miles back to the trailhead. This route is steeper -- and my knees felt it by the time I reached the car -- but it does have some scenic viewpoints. We did not see any rattlesnakes, but another hiker returning to the trailhead shortly after us said he had encountered a rattlesnake on the Augsperger Trail as he descended on that route. The other hazard on this hike is the poison oak: it grows profusely along all trails on the lower slopes. Have some Tecnu in your pack or car to clean your skin after the hike. |
Dogs are allowed on leashes on the hike up Dog Mountain. Photo by trip report poster, JenniferS.
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