This hike lives up to its reputation! It was our first time hiking Dog Mountain, and I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to go.
After a steep climb through the trees, the trail pops out in the upper meadows. The whole Columbia River Gorge appears before you, below magnificent wildflower meadows. It feels like being on top of the world.
The yellow balsamroot flowers were fading a little but still fabulous. Lupine, paintbrush, phlox, and many other wildflower species were going strong.
We encountered a lot of small, biting flies that tended to swarm a bit. They weren't a big deal while hiking, but if you pause too long to take pictures or get a snack, you'll definitely notice them. Also, look out for poison oak, as it grows very thick alongside the lower portions of the trail.
It was a clear day, and we caught glimpses of the top of Mount Hood and Mount St Helens at different points along the trail. There's a lot of sun exposure and climb, so I'd recommend a sun hat and a lot of water.
We made a video of the highlights (below). Happy hiking!
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