Despite the cloudy day, the sun did shine through sometimes and I didn't see a soul on the trail until after I'd had my lunch and left the summit. I think it was around 10:30 then. The blue of the larkspurs were breathtaking against the cliff face and the entire trail was a joy to be on. Even though I didn't have the distance views, the clouds didn't prevent me from lovely views of the Columbia and Beacon Rock. I thought the rising mists actually added to the ambience of the day. I hiked this as a loop and took the "more difficult" direction to climb. I liked the angles that I viewed the peak from this way and would do it again in this order. The way back was easier on the knees this way and relaxing. There was only some mud around the falls areas. I didn't see a lot of wildlife. A couple rufous-sided towhee and a couple garter snakes as I neared the campground, but I was hiking with a dog.

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!

We hiked the classic Hamilton Mountain-Hardy Creek loop in Beacon Rock State Park, going up the Hamilton Mountain Trail and returning on the Hardy Creek Trail. This is probably the second most popular trail on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge (Dog Mountain is #1). The Hamilton Mountain Trail beyond Rodney Falls is showing the wear and tear of the heavy use it receives with lots of cut switchbacks and eroding tread. State Parks doesn't have the funding to do the kinds of fixes that this trail would need to bring it up to standard. Mid-week, we encountered only one other person on the trail: a trail runner who uses this loop to train for competitions, but going the opposite direction of our loop. The classic Gorge east wind was gusting strongly when we reached the summit, so we continued across the summit ridge towards the saddle where the fire road comes up. We dropped down the slope below the crest of the ridge to a wind-sheltered, sunny spot with a view of the Columbia River for our lunch break. Fall color was best on the Hamilton Mountain summit ridge, where the vine maple finally is showing some red. We found some late wildflowers, including spreading phlox, and the new leaves of next year's bitterroot and Columbia lewisia blooms.

Hamilton Mountain is one of the more popular hikes in the Columbia Gorge. Located @ Beacon Rock State Park, the climb up the South side offers some spectacular views up and down the Columbia River and some of the peaks in the Gorge and the Cascades. The trail was a CCC project from the FDR Administration, as are the restrooms and the picnic shelter. The trailhead parking lot is located by the restrooms in the lower picnic/day use area. On the week-ends the parking lot fills fast, but there is additional parking in the upper picnic area, unless it is being reserved for a group activity. The trail begins in second growth forest, with remnants of the original old growth still visible. Passing under the power line the trail continues uphill another mile to Rodney Falls, with side spurs to Hardy Falls Viewpoint and Pool of the Winds. Cross the bridge and negotiate some steps up out of the creek drainage, and continue uphill to a junction with the Hardy Creek Trail, passing the first good view looking back on Beacon Rock. The South Side Trail is to the right (more difficult) and continues somewhat strenuously toward the false summit. There is another viewpoint down through a slot in the Basalt cliffs before you reach the false summit. Once you are on the North side of the false summit, find a couple of wildcat trails to the top of the false summit which offer some great views. Caution is required here. A series of switch backs takes you above the false summit to an open slope before the trail enters the woods again and the last leg of 14 switchbacks to the summit. Views east from here include Table Mountain, Mt. Adams, Wind Mountain, Dog Mountain, and Mt. Defiance, with the top of Mt Hood visible to the South. The easiest return is to hike the trail along the North Ridge to the saddle. Go left at the old road and follow that downhill to Don's Cutoff Trail. This is my preferred route to the Hardy Creek Trail, although following the old road down is an option. Just before the old road crosses Hardy Creek the trail takes off to the left across a wooden footbridge. Although this trail parallels Hardy Creek back to the junction with the Hamilton Mountain Trail, the creek is not visible again till you crss the bridge at Rodney Falls. From this point the trail backtracks to the parking lot. A good pair of hiking boots are essential to maintain good footing. Sunscreen and bug repellant is also recommended. Be sure and take plenty of water especially if the day is warm and sunny as there are no potable water sources along this route. WARNING: THERE IS ALOT OF POISON OAK ALONG SECTIONS OF THIS LOOP HIKE. TAKE THE NECESSARY PRE-CAUTIONS.

Very windy out today. Great views, a few people out here today.