September 20, 2008
Larch Mountain Upper Loop
Category: Columbia River GorgeTags: Larch Mountain
Date: September 20, 2008
Location: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: about 1,300 feet
Larch Mountain is a prominent high spot in the Columbia River Gorge that you can drive to in the summer and fall months and then hike in a loop with lots of options to go farther if you want. Larch Mountain is an old volcano that last erupted over four million years ago. The hike we went on is in and around the old crater. This is where Multnomah Creek begins and later becomes the highest waterfall in Oregon. On the day we were here, it was very overcast, foggy and misty. Normally there would be good views from Sherard Point, the old volcano plug. Instead, we experienced an eerie walk in the woods, which was nice. Once we were past the junction that goes down to Multnomah Falls and Lodge, we didn’t see anyone else the rest of the hike.
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