Hike Dog Mountain, Washington

When you want a solid workout with a huge pay-off at the end, hike Dog Mountain. This strenuous hike is a popular destination for obvious reasons: 2,800 feet of elevation gain in about three miles, superior views of the Columbia River Gorge, and acres of wildflower meadows at the top. Throw in a little history, a little risk, and a little bit of lactic acid, and you’ve got yourself a good time and a classic hike.

Dog Mountain is best in late spring and early summer. The trail head is just off the large turn-out on the north side of Washington SR 14 at milepost 53. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass to park here, and a good deal of stamina to reach the top. This trail starts steep and never lets up. The forested lower half can be hot and brutal, and the upper half can be hot and brutal, but with the possibility of rattle-snakes and poison-oak. Be prepared.

In the first half mile, you gain about 700 feet before reaching a junction. If you’re a sadist, turn left and climb the steep, viewless trail (it will join back up to the ìmainî trail). For a relatively gentle ascent with excellent views and wildflower meadows, stay right for two miles and 2,000 feet to the site of an old fire-lookout tower. The tower was dismantled in 1967, but it’s easy to see why it was placed here. At the nearby junction, head left for the final push through flowering meadows to the summit. The trail to the right also reaches the summit, but with fewer views.

Once you reach the top the scenery becomes glorious. In May, yellow balsam-root and purple lupine fill the meadows and the view stretches up and down the Columbia for miles. Beacon Rock and Wind Mountain look miniscule from here, and Hood River shimmers in the distance. Directly across the river, Mt. Hood peeks over Mt. Defiance, and behind you, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams are clearly visible. You’ve entered a wild-flower paradise and a photographer’s dream. You’ve also just climbed nearly 3,000 feet in three miles, so take a break and enjoy yourself. The views and picnic spots are better just below the grove of trees on the actual summit (at 2,948 ft).

Your best return option is the Ausburger trail. From the summit meadows, follow the trail leading northwest. Trekking poles will alleviate the stress on your knees as the trail descends into forest and joins Auspurger Trail 4407 about a mile down. Turn left to hike 2.8 miles back to the trail head to complete the 6.8 mile loop.

A few hot summers ago on this trail, I stopped to catch my breath against a big fir. A hiker rounded the switchback below and strode past, never pausing. He looked about 80 years old, and wore a red flannel shirt, blue jeans, heavy boots, and an external frame pack that must have weighed his age in pounds. The guy wasn’t even sweating, and returned my greeting with an almost imperceptible nod. I donít think he was a man ñ more a ghost of Oregon’s past, a relic of steam donkeys and choke setters, log rafts and the pulpy smell of river-side mills. A minute later, a younger hiker appeared below, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, with a medium internal-frame pack and lightweight hiking shoes. Panting, drenched in sweat, and slowly pulling himself up the grade, he asked, “Have you seen my father come by?”

That’s Dog Mountain.

Article & Images By Jason Weeks, Borrowed Times