Beacon Rock State Park - Hamilton Mountain, Beacon Rock State Park - Hardy Creek & Beacon Rock State Park - Hardy and Rodney Falls — Monday, May. 30, 2011

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA

finally some sun breaks and a holiday got me and about a hundred other folks on the trail today. Parking lot sign said "full" when I arrived at 1:30 pm but several spaces had opened up. The lower lot at Beacon Rock was also very full. I headed up a wide well-graded trail a long mile to the falls. Spectacular! With all the snow we've had this year it was in full force. Trail is moderately muddy often and very muddy occasionally. From there I took the counterclockwise loop to the peak, which I recommend. This route is steeper and rockier but has much more wide open vistas of the Gorge, meaning your rest stops are full of views. The summit of Hamilton Mountain comes on you abruptly. On a totally clear day I'm sure Hood is staring you in the face but not today. I wonder if you might see Adams to the Northeast on a clear day. Today, with the sun and clouds, just great views of the gorge, Bonneville Dam absolutely gushing water, and you could see the high water levels of the Columbia on all sides. Heading back down Hamilton the other route, you soon come to a wide open saddle with more views. From there it's down a wide, former road to a turnoff, then down some muddy switchbacks to the trail junction above. Great hike I never knew about! No snow or bugs today.