Climbing to Desk Mountain within the Columbia River Gorge is among the most demanding and rewarding adventures on the Washington aspect of the Gorge, combining relentless climbing, rugged terrain, wildflower-covered slopes, and a few of the most jaw-dropping summit views within the space. Rising excessive above the Columbia River, Desk Mountain delivers a real leg-burner of a hike, however the payoff is unforgettable: sweeping views of Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Bonneville Dam, and the winding Columbia River far beneath. For hikers on the lookout for a difficult Columbia River Gorge hike with strong elevation achieve, dramatic surroundings, and a summit that feels earned each step of the way in which, the Desk Mountain Path is tough to beat.
Water from Cedar Creek across the 2-mile mark
Do not miss the northern overlook atop Desk Mountain
Climbing Desk Mountain
The Desk Mountain hike begins behind Bonneville Scorching Springs Resort, the place hikers should pay a parking payment on the resort’s entrance desk earlier than beginning the path. The parking space accommodates a number of dozen automobiles and, surprisingly, not often fills to capability. From the lot, the Desk Mountain Path begins a couple of hundred toes to the west.
After a brief stretch on gravel, the path enters an attractive old-growth forest dominated by towering Douglas firs and western crimson cedars. A lush carpet of ferns blankets the forest ground, making a traditional Pacific Northwest setting. Though the path is mostly simple to comply with, sections can develop into overgrown throughout the rising season, and poison oak is frequent alongside parts of the route, making lengthy pants a smart selection.
Across the 1-mile mark, hikers attain a well-signed junction. The left fork leads towards Aldrich Butte, whereas persevering with proper begins the climb towards Desk Mountain. Past the junction, the grade progressively steepens. Inside 1 / 4 mile, the sounds of Cedar Creek start echoing via the forest to the west. Dense vegetation hides the creek for a lot of the hike, however its speeding cascades present a peaceable soundtrack for the subsequent three-quarters of a mile.
At roughly 2 miles, the path briefly joins the Pacific Crest Path earlier than persevering with towards the bottom of Heartbreak Ridge close to mile 2.6. Right here, the hike earns its repute. Heartbreak Ridge climbs relentlessly towards the summit, gaining greater than 1,800 toes in simply 1.3 miles—by far the steepest part of the complete Desk Mountain hike and one of many steepest stretches of path in the complete Columbia River Gorge space.
The climb is relentless, with few alternatives to catch your breath or benefit from the surroundings. One worthwhile exception comes round mile 3.1, the place an unmarked, hiker-created path heads uphill to the east for roughly 100 toes to an impressive overlook. From right here, hikers are handled to panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge, the headwall of Desk Mountain, and the rugged rock formations surrounding the saddle.
Farther up Heartbreak Ridge, the path crosses the remnants of an historical landslide. For roughly 200 yards, hikers scramble throughout a whole bunch of hundreds of medium-sized boulders that blanket the mountainside. It is a strenuous stretch, however close to the highest, wanting again, hikers will discover a superb west-facing view of the Columbia River Gorge and a fantastic spot to take a break.
About half a mile later, close to the 4-mile mark, the path reaches Desk Mountain’s broad summit. The panoramic views instantly impress, stretching north to Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Rainier, whereas Mount Hood dominates the southern skyline and the summit of Mount Jefferson peeks above extra distant ridges. As spectacular as these views are, one of the best surroundings nonetheless lies simply forward.
A slender wildflower-filled ridge extending east results in the dramatic fringe of Desk Mountain, the place sheer cliffs plunge greater than 800 toes into the Columbia River Gorge beneath.
This is among the most spectacular viewpoints within the Gorge, providing unbelievable views of Mount Hood, the Columbia River, and the encircling peaks. The trail passes uncomfortably near the cliff edge in a number of locations, so hikers with a concern of heights ought to use warning.
Standing atop the headwall additionally affords the proper alternative to understand the exceptional geological historical past of Desk Mountain. The dramatic 800-foot escarpment was created round A.D. 1100 throughout the Bonneville Landslide, one of many largest recognized landslides in North American historical past. Hundreds of thousands of tons of rock collapsed into the Columbia River, quickly damming it beneath a particles pile estimated to be practically 200 toes excessive. The slide created a pure land bridge that related present-day Oregon and Washington, ceaselessly reshaping the Columbia River Gorge. Water backed up for miles earlier than finally overtopping the pure dam and carving a brand new channel via the landslide deposits.
Lengthy earlier than a contemporary bridge crossed the Columbia River, Native American tribes handed down an oral custom explaining the creation of this pure crossing. Based on the legend, the Nice Spirit constructed a powerful stone bridge so folks might journey between each side of the Gorge. Two highly effective brothers, Wy’east (Mount Hood) and Pahto (Mount Adams), each fell in love with the attractive maiden Loowit. Their battle shook the earth, inflicting the nice bridge to break down into the river. As punishment, the Nice Spirit reworked the three into mountains, with Wy’east changing into Mount Hood, Pahto changing into Mount Adams, and Loowit changing into Mount St. Helens. Many geologists consider this exceptional story could protect the cultural reminiscence of the Bonneville Landslide, making the legend of the Bridge of the Gods one of many Pacific Northwest’s most compelling examples of Native American oral historical past aligning with geological proof.
After getting back from the japanese viewpoint, the path continues west throughout the broad, grassy summit.
Upon reaching the northern fringe of Desk Mountain, the path bends southwest. Earlier than persevering with, nonetheless, hikers ought to think about making a brief detour to the correct. This overlook offers the best unobstructed panoramic view of Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Rainier, making it probably the greatest photograph alternatives alongside the complete hike.
Persevering with southwest, the path hugs the sting of the summit, delivering practically steady 180-degree views throughout the Columbia River Gorge because it progressively approaches the hike’s notoriously steep descent.
The Desk Mountain loop will be hiked in both course, however the counterclockwise route described right here is mostly most popular. Climbing counterclockwise means climbing the boulder-strewn landslide earlier than descending the mountain’s unfastened, rocky western shoulder. Clockwise hikers deal with these challenges in reverse. Both manner, the descent is demanding and onerous on the knees, however the counterclockwise route rewards hikers with sweeping views of Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge for a lot of the way in which down, offering an unforgettable end to the hike.
After roughly a mile of steep descending, the rocky route lastly transitions again onto a conventional forest path. The grade progressively eases as the trail winds via towering evergreens earlier than finally returning to the trailhead.
At roughly 9 miles, the Desk Mountain hike involves an finish, finishing one of the crucial spectacular mountain hikes within the Columbia River Gorge. With its relentless climb, fascinating geology, legendary Native American historical past, and unforgettable views of 5 Cascade volcanoes, Desk Mountain delivers an expertise that ranks among the many perfect hikes within the Gorge space.
