I have a confession: until recently, I had never hiked Dog Mountain, one of the most well known hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. Considering how much I love tackling the challenging hikes in this region, I’m almost ashamed to admit it – but only almost. I personally prefer lesser-known hikes and solo experiences, and so the sheer popularity of this location kept me away. Curiosity finally won out, however, and I set out to hike to the summit and get a sense of what the hype is all about.

Undeniably, the biggest draw to Dog Mountain is the spring wildflower blooms – particularly, the Balsamroot growing so thickly that it turns the hillsides golden. These flowers won’t reach their peak until late April or early May, but I knew there’d be a variety of native flora already blooming. Plus, the high elevation provides spectacular views up and down the Columbia River Gorge and to distant mountains. I set out on a Tuesday with a clear weather forecast, and arrived at the trailhead at sunrise, in hopes of great views while avoiding too much trail traffic.

Dog Mountain Hike Summary

• Hike Highlights: Gorge and mountain views; abundant spring/summer wildflowers
• Hike Lowlights: Crowded; ticks; poison oak
• Time from Downtown Portland: 65 minutes
• Total Distance: Varies; as described, approx. 7 miles
• Elevation Gain: Varies; as described, approx. 2800 feet
• Permits/Fees: Day-Use fee per car in lot all days; permit for each hiker April through June on weekends plus Memorial Day
• Other Key Notes: Pit toilet near trailhead; rattlesnakes in area; limited parking (approx. 70 spaces); dogs permitted on leash; challenging terrain (steep, uneven, loose surfaces)

Dog Mountain Passes and Permits

As with many areas in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, a day-use pass is required to park at Dog Mountain; it’s $5 per vehicle, and can be paid on site using the fee drop box. Alternately, you can get a Northwest Forest Pass; single day passes can be purchased online, or you can get an annual pass for $30. Other Federal recreation passes may also cover parking; state forest passes are not accepted here.

Due to the extreme popularity of this location, and citing very real safety issues caused by overcrowding, Dog Mountain also requires a permit for each individual hiker on weekends during peak wildflower season; for 2021, this is April 24 through June 13, plus Memorial Day. Permits must be purchased in advance, and each hiker must carry proof (hard copy or electronic). There is also a shuttle available from the Skamania County Fairgrounds, with seats being first come, first serve; rides on the shuttle include a permit for the trail. Get all the up-to-date details from the Forest Service.

Road, Parking, and Trail Conditions at Dog Mountain

Reaching Dog Mountain is super easy, which probably contributes to its popularity: the parking lot is right alongside Highway 14 in Washington, just outside of Stevenson. There’s not even an exit, you pull straight into the lot. Parking alongside the highway is strongly discouraged for safety reasons; if you park improperly, your car may be towed. The lot itself holds about 70 vehicles and is in pretty decent shape, with minimal potholes. Spaces are marked out with durable material (looks like recycled fire hose); it’s easy to tell what’s meant as a spot and what isn’t, even though the markers have come up in some places. Informational signs are right at the base of the Dog Mountain Trail, with a pit toilet and a picnic table just a short distance up the trail from the lot.

The trails I took were overall in good shape, with evidence of trail work all along the way; I had to step over just two small fallen trees, which is very impressive considering some of the late winter storms that came through the Gorge not long ago. I ventured partway onto the longer loop near the summit, and it looked like that less-used section still needs attention. There were no current rockslides or badly-abused user trails eroding the terrain, either, except at the very top. I also saw very little trash, and I hope that stays the case as weather improves and more people visit. If there is an upside to Dog Mountain’s popularity, it’s that the trails are well managed and maintained.

Augspurger Trail and Dog Mountain Trail Options

There are a couple ways to go when hiking Dog Mountain. Both the Augspurger Trail (#4407) and Dog Mountain Trail (#147) start from the parking lot. The Augspurger Trail has a sign for another trail part way up, the Old Loggers Trail; it wasn’t on my map, and a little research after I got home didn’t turn up much about it, so that’s an adventure for another trip.

Along the Dog Mountain Trail, there’s a split between the newer trail (challenging) and the old trail (more challenging, slightly shorter). There’s also an option to go more directly between the summit and an old fire lookout location, or a slightly longer path that drops less steeply. Any way you go, the terrain is mostly steep and frequently uneven.

I completed this as a loop, going up the less-steep Augspurger Trail before coming back down the Dog Mountain Trail (direct route to the old lookout, plus the new and more scenic route). You may opt to do a similar loop, or a slightly shorter “out and back” to the top that retraces your path back down. If you want a longer adventure, you can continue all the way to Augspurger Mountain, turning this into a 12+ mile trek.

Physical Distancing on Dog Mountain

Until the COVID-19 pandemic is well and truly under control, the physical distancing will remain a necessity during outdoor adventures. Many trails on Dog Mountain are single track – meaning, they’re just wide enough for one person, going one direction. Stepping off to the side to let others pass is challenging due to steep terrain and delicate plant life, not to mention bushels of poison oak growing trailside. Be prepared with a mask when passing others where physical distancing is simply not possible. Remember, vaccination provides protection but not immunity, and it doesn’t prevent the virus from spreading. It was really disheartening to see only about 25% of hikers using masks or face coverings. The majority did at least attempt physical distancing, with or without a mask.

Dangers on Dog Mountain

There are some potential dangers when visiting Dog Mountain – or any other trail in the vicinity – that all hikers need to be aware of before visiting. As mentioned earlier, poison oak grows along this trail; in some sections, branches were right at the trail’s edge. As they leaf out for the season, it may overhang it in sections. Bright young poison oak leaves are a shiny, vivid red and will change to green by summer. Small yellowish flowers are visible as well in spring. All parts of poison oak can cause a reaction if touched, and the oil can be transferred to your skin from clothing and other surfaces.

Other plants and low brush will also encroach on narrow stretches, adding exposure to a second potential danger: ticks. These teensy arachnids are opportunists, waiting to hitch a ride on a potential host. Protect yourself against both poison oak and ticks with long pants, enclosed shoes, tall socks, and long sleeves. Shorts and t-shirts will be tempting as the weather warms up; consider easily-adjustable layers of clothing instead to find a balance between protection and comfort. Add a healthy dose of your insect repellent of choice to outer layers (be sure it protects against ticks).

Another potential, but less common, danger are rattlesnakes. Snakes are regularly seen sunning on exposed rocky hillsides. The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, found in Oregon and Washington, is less aggressive than some other species. Awareness is key in avoiding bad rattlesnake encounters. If you hear their warning rattle, pause to find the source. Then, slowly back away to allow the snake room to move along. They really don’t want to tangle with people and will likely vacate the area quickly.

Keep canine hikers on a leash and on trail to keep them safe from these potential dangers!

Why to Visit Dog Mountain

If you’re looking for physically challenges, the elevation gain of Dog Mountain will definitely give you a workout. Several trail runners were taking advantage of the training opportunity. Very little of the trail system crosses flat or only slightly graded terrain. Although the trails are well maintained, many sections are rocky and uneven; some areas include loose rocks in the trail, especially the section of Dog Mountain Trail nearest the summit.

Clear days will provide extensive views up and down the Columbia River Gorge, in all seasons. As you head up, you’ll spot forested lakes below, watch boat traffic on the riverway, and on the best days you can spot distant mountain peaks including the volcanoes Wy’east (Mount Hood), Loowit (Mount Saint Helens), and Pahto (Mount Adams).

The stellar wildflower blooms of late April and early May are the number one reason visitors flock to Dog Mountain. It’s hard to fault anyone for wanting to experience the explosion of colors. This easy-access trail provides an opportunity to wander through fields of golden Balsamroot, interspersed with purple Lupine, red Paintbrush, and a multitude of other colors. Even outside of peak wildflower season, there’s a variety of plant life to discover along the trail, including ferns, mosses, and mushrooms. The abundant and varied flora also attracts a number of small wildlife species, including pollinator insects and migrant birds.

With all that it has to offer, Dog Mountain is a classic Columbia River Gorge challenge worth experiencing. It may just take a little more planning or patience than some less famous locations in the region.

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