Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail # 2000

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: Section described is 16.1 miles (one way)
Trail Uses: Hiking, Horseback Riding
Facilities available: Parking, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Picnicing
Season of Use: Spring to Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation: 180 to 33600 feet
Visitor Use: Meduim

Northwest Forest Pass Required

Access: Eastbound I-84 – Take Cascade Locks exit # 44. Turn right onto the Bridge of the Gods access road. The trailhead is located at the southeastern corner of the loop leading to the tollbooth. Westbound I-84 – Take Cascade Locks exit # 44. Drive 1.4 miles through the town to the Bridge of the Gods access road. Follow the directions as above. .

Description: This Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail climbs gently through vine maple and scattered fir to dense stands of old-growth forest. The hike passes the rugged canyons of Eagle and Herman Creeks on the way to Benson Plateau and Wahtum Lake Basin. Continuing on, the trail enters Hatfield Wilderness. Once a U.S. Forest Service primitive area, it was designated a wilderness in 1984.

Features: At 14.4 miles, hike the extra 0.2 mile to Chinidere Mountain for views of Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, and Mount St. Helens. Junctions with the Gorge Trail #400, Teakettle Spring (7.1 mi.), Wahtum Lake and Eagle Creek Trail junction (15.6 mi.), Indian springs Campground (18.2 mi.), Ramona Falls (38.8 mi.), Timberline Lodge (49.4 mi.).