Beacon Rock State Park - Hamilton Mountain — Friday, Mar. 11, 2011

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA

A bad case of cabin fever and a break in the weather was all the encouragement I needed to get out for the first climb of the season to the summit of Hamilton Mountain. The weather was cooperative with blue skies and warm sun, although the wind was chill at the summit. We encountered snow on the trail just below the summit from where the series of switchbacks enters the trees for the last time. We hiked through snow from that point to where the Hardy Creek Trail begins on the return trip. The snow at the summit and on the North ridge was deep enough so we had to do a fair amount of post holing. Gaiters and sun glasses would have been a real plus. Winter storm damage was minimal, so the trail was very passable. Some minor blowdown and drainage problems, but no major washouts. The view from the top was limited due to a low ceiling to the east, but Table Mountain, Wind Mountain, and Dog Mountain were visible as were high points on the south side of the Columbia. It was a great hike and cure for cabin fever and the winter doldrums. It makes me eager for spring and hopefully improved weather. The lower picnic parking lot is accessible Friday - Sunday, but is locked at dusk. Monday - Thursday parking is available by Beacon Rock. One other note, if you are coming east on Hwy 14, be aware that road work in the Cape Horn Area has traffic limited to one lane with short delays. This partial closure will continue through the summer as crews install 2 pedestrian underpasses for the Cape Horn Trail. Happy Trails!