This is an incredible hike! We didn't make it quite all the way to the top, as the last ~0.5 mile or so is very rocky and technical and would have been dangerous with my small dog. Instead we took a side trail to a lower-down viewpoint that was just as good. Hike is incredibly gentle until the waterfall, then gets pretty steep for the last mile or so. I'm very slow and out of shape, so we stopped a lot but still made it up. The payout at the end is 100% worth it. 

No mud to speak of.  We started at about 10am on a Monday from the Hadley Trail from the Beacon Rock campground and it was only moderately busy. We had the trail mostly to ourselves for stretches of time. 

09may2022 MON .. just completed the Hamilton Mountain, Rodney Falls Lollipop Loop; went CW TH > Hamilton Mountain Trail > Hadley Creek Trail > Equestrian Trail > "The Saddle" > Hamilton Mountain Trail > TH.

i was the 3rd to arrive at the TH parking at 10:00. And when got back ~14:30, there were 4 vehicles (including mine). On my way UP to the Hamilton Mountain, i encountered (i) a Solo male Trail-runner /(ii) a Solo female Trail-runner & her dog coming down. ~0.2 mile in to Equestrian Trail, i came upon a Red Light Truck; a group of 3 young men, and 2 young women. They were setting up their Truck to winch (?) a blow-down that's blocking the Trail. They gave me "permission" to past through the blow-down. i thanks them for their clearing the blow-down. They were very nice and friendly.

On my way Down, i encountered a total of 7 people (5 adults, 2 toddlers) coming Up. Again, they were nice and friendly.

As for the Trails, not unexpectedly, it was wet and many muddy sections, especially at/near Rodney Falls and Hardy Falls - its passable - just be extra careful. i had my Trekking Poles to help keep me safe 😅

Btw, cos the ~0.2 mi walk down to the Hardy Falls Viewpoint was very IFFY muddy and steep, i turned around after ~50 ft. 😅

Very nice views of the surrounding mountains, the valley, and Columbia River. And Rodney Falls is a beauty 👍

Sweet solitude for ~4 hours .. and i am v happy 😊

Side-note: my Moto G Power may be a problem .. both my Alltrails and GaiaGPS malfunctioned .. luckily, only once .. 😅

The Stats may be inaccurate:
Distance: 7.6 mi / EG 2,064 ft / Total Time 4:35 (probably, missing the ~0.5 mile when "GPS signal lost"

The Restrooms by the Trailhead were opened and clean. Also, while sitting at the Trailhead picnic area during the past ~2 hours, i've met the Ranger .. chatted for a while .. He's very helpful and friendly.

Happy Trails Everyone 😊

Just a warning about the pinned map location on WTA for this hike.  It is not accurate.  If you use it with a GPS it will take you about 1/2 mile too far east up a dirt road to private property.  You can use the map up to the point where you see signs for Beacon Rock state park.  At that point ignore it and follow the written directions.

There were not many wildflowers on the day I went (mostly just buttercups), perhaps I was too early.  It was very sloppy muddy after the waterfall and you will need to hang on to the railing so as not to slip and slide and fall.  After the waterfalls it gets quite steep and few switchbacks until you get higher.  The WTA write up refers to a sign that says "Hamilton Mountain - More Difficult” and “Hardy Creek Trail - Difficult.  This sign is nonexistent but there is a map of the trail system.  Unfortunately it does not have a "you are here" sticker but when you come to a junction and if you are wanting to head up the trail closest to the river stay slighly right and keep climbing.  

I had actually planned to do the loop and started down the road on the far side but turned around.  I decided I wanted more views as I drove 3.5 hours just to get to this hike so I went back the way I came which is a steep decline but I let gravity take me down, kind of trotting, so it didn't bother my knees.

I think there are much better hikes for wildflowers along the Gorge but this one had the lovely waterfall and would be good in the hotter months.  You are mostly in the trees and shaded until you get near the top which is exposed and rocky.  

I agree with the trip report before me, Beacon Rock State Park is an incredibly beautiful place! 
We arrived to the trailhead around 11am to an almost full lot. A ranger was there directing traffic which was great to see since this is a very popular spot. 
The views are stunning of the Columbia river and surrounding area. We got to see a very snow covered Mt Adam’s from the summit of Hamilton. 
We hiked this as an out and back and my GPS clocked in at 6 miles RT with 2200 ft of elevation gain. The trail is in great shape, just a few muddy patches near the waterfall and 1 blowdown. 

This is an incredibly beautiful place, and one of our favorite hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. We caught it on a sunny day in early March, and the views were unparalleled. It feels like being on top of the world. I felt like singing, "The hills are alive!" from the top, but contained myself because there were a lot of other hikers on the trail. Wildflowers were just beginning to come out, but it's early for the full show. 

The view is matched by extraordinary waterfalls along the way, including the fabled Pool of the Winds. Make sure to take the short spur trail to get up close to the Pool of the Winds. You can really feel the blast of wind and mist shooting out of the opening in the rocks.

The trail is in good shape, and we didn't find it slippery at all or need spikes. 

The only downside of this hike from my perspective is its popularity. We went on a Saturday at mid-morning, and the lot was full when we arrived. Since it was full, we did the short hike to Beacon Rock first (also very cool!) and then went back and were able to find a parking spot. I would recommend going early or doing the hike on a weekday if you can.