Wore microspikes and used trekking poles. It was super cold and a lot of the trail was snow and ice covered. There were some trees down on the trail, but they weren't hard to walk over.

There was super cool hair ice on the trees at the top.

This one has been on my list for awhile. Finally made it to this area and was stoked to do this hike on a glorious summer day. I was a bit worried about the heat but it wasn't actually too bad due to the shade on most of the trail until the top and the strong breeze. I got to the TH around 11am and there were several spots available to my surprise! The hike wasn't crowded at all. It was quite peaceful. Pretty tough elevation gain, unrelenting. I hiked up, enjoyed the view, and then ran down so it was a pretty quick day. The flowers are definitely not as bold and beautiful as they seemed to be a few weeks ago but don't sleep on them, still colorful and pretty :)

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!

Gorge classic with a short but steep jaunt.  Took the afternoon off and headed to hopefully grab a reasonably clear day in what has been a pretty cloudy/rainy spring.

Trail is easy to follow and I know it by heart at this point after so many times up.

Flowers at the first viewpoint are way past their prime.  Flowers at the summit are a little past prime, and I thought still reasonably present.  Seems like the peak this year was May 31st - June 10th.

Bugs were only annoying if paused in the forests near the top.  Otherwise, if keep moving, wasn’t an issue.  Never applied repellant or have to use any kinda bug net over my head.  The breezes kept them at bay.  I’ve done this hike before in the past at peak flower season where bugs weren’t so much a problem, so I guess it depends by year.

Temps at the bottom were around 68 degrees, but get colder as you ascend due to the breezes.  Pack some kind of warm hoodie.

Elected to come back the same way I went up, meaning I didn’t take Augspurger’s trail back.

Start: 300 PM

Summit: 420 PM (nice)

End: 525 PM

Hiked Dog Mountain on Monday, June 13, after spending Sunday hiking Oregon Gorge waterfalls, hoping to see the wildflowers.  They're out but a bit past prime as the pictures attest. We hiked Monday because no permit is required on weekdays.

The trail is in amazing shape with most of it packed dirt and only a muddy spot or two.  Its a climb so be prepared.

The trail starts in the woods, climbing to a junction labeled "Difficult" and "More Difficult".  We took the former but the two join up before the first view point offering a great view of the Colembia. That first forest was magical. 

After the viewpoint it continues the climb and enters a forest dominated by fir trees while the lower forest was predominately deciduous trees with a thick fern undergrowth. 

Before breaking out of the forest a yellow carpet appears above you and once clear of the forest you've got flowers on both sides of the trail and arcing up the mountainside. Mainly Balsaroot with some Lupin and Bleeding Hearts.

Super windy above the forest and combined with a little rain made our stop at the top rather quick.

Go soon if you've got an inkling to see the flowers here.