Continue reading, 28 The trail continues west descending the ridge.But at the ridge you'll notice a 4-way intersection created by hikers going "off-trail" as they explore the ridge. There are signs of black bear in this lesser-used area, so you might want to make a little noise so as not to surprise any if they happen to be hunting for berries near the trail. Share. Beacon Rock State Park Photos (7,268) Directions Print/PDF map Length 7.2 miElevation gain 2,198 ftRoute type Loop Explore this 7.2-mile loop trail near Stevenson, Washington. Showed up around 6am on a Friday and I encountered about 6 other people on the trail. The Hardy Ridge hike makes use of the old logging roads that wind through the backcountry or the park north of Highway 14. Thanks for the support of Western Washington Honda Dealers and our other corporate sponsors. Had to stop at Little Hamilton because of the heat. 14 east. The primary coordinates for Beacon Rock places it within the NV 89005 ZIP Code delivery area.. Maps, Driving Directions & Local Area Information Near Hardy Creek, there is a picnic table and major trail intersection with a trail sign. Can take anywhere from 30-45 min to go up. We don't have any videos of this trail yet. Beautiful panoramic views of the gorge. Be looking for the turn for the state park and campground. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. The rigid Columbia basalt rock makes its presence known at the falls, as these carved rocks stood the test of time through catastrophic floods and landslides that scoured the gorge for the past 15 million years. Beacon Rock State Park - Hamilton Mountain Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA 45.6325, -122.0200 Map & Directions Length 7.5 miles, roundtrip Elevation Gain 2,000 feet Highest Point 2,400 feet Calculated Difficulty Moderate/Hard Park features. It can also connect you with the Hamilton Mountain Trail from the Beacon Rock Campground. Take the More Difficult route and continue counter-clockwise up the Hamilton Mountain Trail, switchbacking up for a 1400 foot climb to the top. App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead. After .3 miles, turn right into the Hamilton Mountain Trailhead parking area. The park's runner-up is Hamilton Mountain and Rodney Falls, which will get you 670 m of elevation gain. These routes are closed to vehicles but open to equestrians, mountain bikers and hikers. When the season is right, you will find wildflowers such as trillium and bleeding hearts to admireor salmonberries for the picking. Very unique views. I was gone all of 30 min on a Sunday evening. Just as described- my sons loved it- short/ sweet/ great views! Beautiful views and photo ops to stop and take in along the way. From I-205 in Vancouver, drive east on State Highway 14 for 34 miles to Beacon Rock State Park. Beacon Rock State Park is a 4,458-acre, year-round camping park located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. According to AllTrails.com, the longest river trail in Beacon Rock State Park is. 8 a.m. to dusk from spring to fall. Super easy trail with the paved switchbacks. At about a mile and a half, hikers will hear Hardy and Rodney Falls, but two bridge crossings over smaller cascades come first. Terms | Privacy. Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. The trail then moves into mature second growth fir on a smooth grade as you weave through the trees and catch glimpses of the 848-footbasalt column of Beacon Rock. I saw this hike a year ago on a visit out here and have been dreaming about doing it ever since. If you're looking for elevation gain, Beacon Rock State Park has you covered. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. Here the trail splits. Find out for yourself! Although approximately 75,000 people live within the gorge, much of the region remains little developed and is encompassed . Equestrian, Hardy Ridge and Hamilton Mountain Loop. If you're coming from the east on Highway 14, continue 7 miles past the Bridge of the Gods, stay on Highway 14 and turn north at the Beacon Rock State Park sign. Washington Trails Association While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities. Hardy Ridge. There is a junction for the, Hiker Headlines: Hike-a-Thon, Frog Mountain (and More!) More for sightseeing than an actual hike. The Hardy Ridge hike makes use of the old logging roads that wind through the backcountry or the park north of Highway 14. Open, Get an Adventure Pack at the Library, 16 Lighthouse Hikes You Can Enjoy All Year. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Just past Beacon Rock turn right onto Kueffler Road. Did Hamilton Mountain Loop counter clockwise for steep inclines, but more forgiving declines. There are full service restrooms (power, running water) available at the East end of the main parking area. The road angles up the hill to the left as you see Beacon Rock and its parking lot on the righthand side of the highway. Thanks for the support of Western Washington Honda Dealers and our other corporate sponsors. Its a long journey at about 7.5 miles, and steep in places, but nothing a healthy dog, child or senior citizen cant do. Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA, Mountaineers Books South Cascades - Dan Nelson, Buy the Green Trails Columbia Gorge West No. Most of the trails are double track fire roads, but there is some descent single track to be found (e.g. For more information about the Discover Pass, please visit. Cross a bridge built by DNR work crews, and continue just a few yards up the trail to Rodney Falls. 428 map. Only saw a handful of people on a Thursday afternoon, Hot but overall pretty easy as long as you take some picture breaks. Where is the best river trail to hike in Beacon Rock State Park? After 0.4 miles, bear right for the Bridge of the Gods and Stevenson. 16 Reviews About State Park Campsite information The main campground has 28 standard campsites. Even on foggy days, the views are interesting and the fog can add to the mystique of the trail. The park includes 9,500 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River. Beacon Rock itself is the core of an ancient volcano. If the long, rocky loop around the summit of Hamilton Mountain is too much, don't despair. The rest of the rock is closed to climbing, to protect nesting falcons. Dont leave anything in vehicle! The upper picnic area kitchen shelter is available by reservation for groups of up to 100 people. Follow Hwy. The east face is closed year round due to environmental sensitivity. Jl. App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead. For an Epic climb up Don's Cut-Off to summit Hamilton Mountain and return via the Hardy Creek Trail. Here's an ADA-accessible forested trail just over half a mile long in Beacon Rock State Park that takes you to a lookout point for Bonneville Dam and the Columbia Gorge. Washington Trails Association Super fun! At milepost 37 turn on to Grenia Road, south is the only way to travel on Grenia Road, under the railroad tracks and your in the parking lot and ready to play. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 22 min to complete. Discover Pass: A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks for day use. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/hadley-trail, https://www.wta.org/site_images/hikes/hike-image-2021-06-15-7684633301/@@download/image/d58dfc28-b06d-464c-ab3d-1a2dfa60f2de.jpeg, The trail then moves into mature second growth fir on a smooth grade as you weave through the trees and catch glimpses of the 848-footbasalt column of Beacon Rock. Just past the Beacon Rock State Park Headquarters, turn left up a road signed 'Camping'. Beacon Hill hike on Columbia river gorge, 850 feet of elevation in one mile! Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. This one comes in from the campground at the end of the road you drove in on. Plus, its easier on the knees coming down the Hardy Creek Trail. Singletracks Merch | How many river trails are in Beacon Rock State Park? Best Bike Trails | 34841 SR 14 98648. (PLEASE BE ADVISED that the series of steep switchbacks is rocky, steep and badly eroded just before reaching the false summit. Beacon Rock State Park is a 4,458-acre, year-round camping park located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Dogs are allowed on this trail but I am glad we left ours at home. Get Directions to Park. If the long, rocky loop around the summit of Hamilton Mountain is too much, don't despair. From Camas, drive 22 miles east on Highway 14 to the Beacon Rock State Park entrance sign. From Seattle, I-5 south to Vancouver. The trailhead is about half-mile up this road on the right side. After 0.4 miles, bear right for the Bridge of the Gods and Stevenson. Bridge Trail and Loop Trail--both of which I recommend riding North to South). #5 - Equestrian, Hardy Ridge and Hamilton Mountain Loop. It also has a restroom, picnic tables, and hitching posts. Water and power are available in the shelter. From here, youll descend along an old road bed part of the way. It was somewhat difficult. There are alternative hikes in the area, and the trail to the twin cascades of Hardy and Rodney Falls is hands down the best option. It's a nice option for folks who might not want to venture up to the summit, since it offers an interesting southern view of the monolith but beware of bugs! Widgets, Explore Which river trail has the most elevation gain in Beacon Rock State Park? This is a very popular area for camping, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Cyclists and horseback riders also will find trails to the vistas from Hamilton Mountain saddle, and boaters can delight in the majesty of Beacon Rock from the Columbia River. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. This route adds about .20 miles to your hike, a good option for anyone wanting the views of the falls with less of the elevation gain. Seattle, WA 98104. Washington Trails Association This one is pretty accessible for my arthritic knees and POTS-y heart. The trail then curves around to the south side of the rock, where you encounter handrails and a sturdy boardwalk trail that switchbacs all the way to the top of the mountain. Beacon Rock State Park - Hardy and Rodney Falls. Tram, bus, taxi via NW 6th & Davis station. There is room for 30 cars, flush toilets, a playground, and a CCC shelter. Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. Hiking shoes with good traction and hiking poles highly recommended due to some scree and deep or high steps and boulders. Directions From: Beacon Rock Golf Course is located 2 miles east of Beacon Rock State Park and 5 miles west of The Bridge of the Gods at Milepost 37 Hwy. Cops said its been happening on all popular hikes on the gorge! If you get tired, no problem--just pause for some photos. Were able to finish just after 8am and the rangers were just pulling into the lot. A nice short hike with some grand views of the Gorge. It seems like most of them are gravel fire roads but if you explore, there's also some single track. Cool historic landmark. Good for a beginner. Save. Equestrian, Hardy Ridge and Hamilton Mountain Loop boasts the most elevation gain for river trails with 1,063 m of total ascent. Picnic & day-use facilitiesThere are two kitchen shelters with electricity in the park, plus two sheltered and 53 unsheltered picnic tables. The trail is closed from dusk to 8 a.m. A large, threatening gate prevents access and a sign warns that violators will be cited. In 1915 Biddie restored the name of the rock to Beacon Rock, and subsequently cruntructed a trail to the top and donated it to the state of Washington. Most of the trail climbs the cliff face via a series of paved switchbacks protected by railings. Side about 800 feet high & 400 yards round. The lower trailhead for Hamilton Mountain is the first parking lot you come to on the right. During the ice age, icebergs and flowing waters slowly carved away the softer exterior rock, leaving Beacon Rock sticking straight out of the north banks of the Columbia River. The Beacon Rock 7.5 quadrangle is located approximately 50 km east of Portland, Oregon, on the north side of the Columbia River Gorge, a scenic canyon carved through the axis of the Cascade Range by the Columbia River. The park includes 9,500 feet of . https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/hamilton-mountain, https://www.wta.org/site_images/hikes/hamilton-mountain-trail.jpg/@@download/image/Hamilton Mountain Trail.jpg, Hiker Headlines: Hike-a-Thon, Frog Mountain (and More!) Either way, its a great trek.Its a steady easy pace for the first mile up the wide, well-built trail. 154 Park(s) Default. https://www.oregonhikers.org/w/index.php?title=Beacon_Rock_Trailhead&oldid=109559, Latitude, Longitude: 45.62909, -122.02103. BEACON ROCK STATE PARK. Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA, Day Hiking: South Cascades (Nelson -- Mountaineers). Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. Definitely recommend. (lat:45.6291 lon:-122.0212) Phone: 509-427-8265. The Hardy Ridge hike makes use of the old logging roads that wind through the backcountry or the park north of Highway 14. Washington's only campground in the Gorge between Portland and Hood River, Beacon Rock State Park's main campground offers outdoor serenity that it's Oregon-side of the Columbia campground counterparts simply can't. Nestled within Beacon Rock State park, there's plenty of adventure relief to contrast this calm 26 site campground. In the 1800s the rocks name was changed to Castle Rock and purchased by Henry Biddie. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission.