The trails are virtually free of snow-- just a little bit on top, and some snow runoff making the trail a little squooshy in places, but not enough to be a problem. One downed tree on the middle trail, and one across the trail on the east trail. Wildlflowers have just begun-- not the great show you'll see a little later, but the earliest blooms are out. A great day for a hike, and a great hike. Actually had the top of the mountain all to myself for lunch-- that's never happened before! Mid-week hiking has its advantages....

Led a Mazama hike up Dog Wednesday. Went up scenic (east) trail to summit and then over summit ridge on Augsberger and down Augsberger to cars. There was no snow at all up to where ‘middle’ trail joins. Trail in excellent shape. Above where two trails join, tread in very good shape on steep pitches – no ice, no mud, no snow. At Puppy Dog minimal snow (5 inches) up to just below turn off to summit. There you encounter 2-3 ft drifts and we broke trail all the way to the summit staying on the normal trail. Only 10ft of dicey stuff just below joining Augsberger Trail. Summit has about 1ft of snow and we had glorious sunshine. Going over summit plateau on Augsberger encountered 2-3ft drifts most of the way until reach the woods on the otherside. Broke good trail all the way across. Once get in the woods, are in snow for about 500ft but nothing serious – 6 inches. A little more mud and a couple of blowdowns but all-in all great shape. Hope the sun shines more should dry up even more. Enjoy

Enjoyed the annual trip up Dog Mt for Memorial Day. Gorgeous wildflowers are on display now! Including Balsamroot, Lupine, Sweet Pea, Phlox, Indian Paintbrush and more... We took the easier, scenic Dog Mt. trail up and Augsberger down. The trails are extremely muddy in places!

This years annual wildflower hike was to Dog Mountain. The crowds were there! but we took the trail to the left, said to be 'more difficult' and it was less populated. Lots of lady slipper, yellow and blue violets, trillium, beginning lupine and balsam root - the big show will probably be next week. Some snow on the southern part of the summit loop but not bad. We returned via the Augsberger Mt. trail - again less crowded. A pleasant overcast day but comfortably warm with the wind just picking up as we left. The next day we stopped at Tom McCall reserve- Balsam root and lupine in full bloom there!

Inspired by the April 7, 2008, WTA hike of the week, we took a couple days off and made the long drive from Seattle to hike up Dog Mountain in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. Thursday we arrived late in the day and hiked the Willard Springs Foot Trail at the Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge at dusk, where we saw a herd of female elk and a pair of what looked like sandhill cranes (they had the red patch on their heads), except they were snowy white instead of gray. Friday we tackled Dog Mountain, nearly an eight-mile (round trip) hike with 2,900 feet elevation gain. As promised, the trail was steep and strenuous, even though we took the gentler eastern side of the loop. The day was gorgeous, with temperatures in the low 70s, almost perfectly blue sky, and great visibility. We heard blue grouse woofing and were serenaded by a winter wren. The WTA article promised a famous flower display beginning in April, but that has not materialized yet this year; a local hiking couple said to come back in six weeks, but we think four weeks will be sufficient. There were a few patches of phlox, some yellow composite flowers that we couldn't identify, and something that looked like small-flower penstemon except that it was low to the ground and in tight clusters. We saw one trillium in bloom but no balsamroot yet. Bleeding hearts were just starting to bud. The views of Columbia Gorge were spectacular and worth every bit of the pain of the ascent. We also saw Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams. The trail is so steep that, on the descent, Walks Ahead slipped and fell on a moist patch on the trail, even though she was being careful and using her poles. Fortunately, she suffered only a scraped knee. Other than being steep in places, the trail is very good.