hike: Columbia Gorge – Larch Mountain Crater
For this loop hike, we started at the Upper Larch Mountain trailhead before the road closes for the season. It was a clear sunny day, and views from Sherrard Point were amazing. We could see Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier and Mount Adams in Washington, and Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson to the south.
7 miles 1,150 ft gain
The loop hike starts by heading downhill on the Larch Mountain trail for 1.7 miles, then we took the Multnomah Spur Trail for 0.2 miles to the Multnomah Creek Way Trail, which goes through the former crater on Larch Mountain. To close the loop, we took the Oneonta Trail back to the Larch Mountain Road and continued for 0.3 miles back to the trailhead.
Sections of this hike are less traveled, making for a quiet hike through the forest.

view of Mount Hood from Sherrard Point

using the Peakfinder app to ID the peaks

Sherrard Point

on the Larch Mountain trail

old bridge over Multnomah Creek

trail junction

Multnomah Creek Way trail

root-filled trail

upturned tree roots as sculpture

rhododendrons were plentiful in one section of the trail

interesting rocky formation with trees growing at the top

view from the trail