Nesmith Point Trail # 428

Oregon

NOTE: The following two books are highly recommended for anyone interested in hiking in the Columbia River Gorge: Hiking the Columbia River Gorge and 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon I personally own both and consider them indispensible for hiking the Columbia River Gorge.

Length: 4.5 miles (one way)
Trail Uses: Hiking
Facilities available: Parking
Season of Use: May to November
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation: 110 to 3810 feet
Visitor Use: Light

Northwest Forest Pass Required

Access: Eastbound I-84 – Take Historic Columbia River Highway Ainsworth State Park exit # 35. Turn left towards Warrendale, then turn right onto Frontage Road. Continue east 2.3 miles to the parking area at John B. Yeon State Park. Westbound I-84 – Take Warrendale exit #37. Follow Frontage Road and take the freeway underpass. Turn left onto the Historic Columbia River Highway. Follow the eastbound directions above. The Nesmith Point trailhead is 0.1 mile along Elowah Falls.

Description: This is a favorite early spring conditioning hike. Nesmith Point, the highest point along the cliffs lining the gorge, and is free of snow by April. It offers a steep climb, switch backing through a spectacular box canyon, with views of Beacon Rock and Mount Adams. After 0.9 mile, turn left at the intersection with Gorge Trail # 400 and climb steeply up the canyon for 2.4 miles to the ridge. At the plateau, continue to climb gradually for 1.3 miles to an old road leading to the summit the former site of a fire lookout tower.

Features: The trail can be combined with Horsetail Creek Trail (5.6 miles) and Oneonta Trail (2.9 miles) for a return trip to the Oneonta trailhead on the Historic Columbia River Highway.