Hiking Dog Mountain
- View From The Top
I am way behind in my trip logs, I think that it is time that I get caught up a bit. On May 4th Kim and I decided to finally attack Dog Mountain. Dog Mountain is one of those hikes that everyone knows about, half have tried it, and fewer have succeeded. I might be exaggerating a bit, but from people I have talked to and reports that I have read, it seems that Dog Mountain is often underestimated as to how difficult it can be. May 4th 2008 was a perfect day, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, it was hot, and most important it wasn’t raining. In typical style we didn’t arrive any too early (about 10:00am) it was already hot outside and the parking lot was half full. We didn’t waste any time in getting started. There is no easing into this hike, it starts out uphill and doesn’t stop till you reach the top. A couple hundred yards up the trail is the only toilet (vault toilet). The first part of the trail is a series of back to back switchbacks, the trail is steep and frankly I didn’t get a lot of enjoyment out of this section. Before too long you come to a junction that allows you to choose between the short hard way or the long easy way. The short way is about 4/10 mile shorter than the other. We opted for the shorter route figuring that on the way back we would take the long way. From here the scenery is better and the trail is not quite as steep (in the beginning at least). After we started on the shorter trail we didn’t see another hiker till the trails rejoined. Once that happened we go a better appreciation for how popular this trail is. The trail was crowded with people and their dogs. We joined the herd and headed up the massive hill. Eventually we broke out of the trees and got into an open area where we could see for miles and miles. This was a nice change that seemed to give an energy boost. Soon after we were at the final leg of the trail, just another 4/10 of a mile to go, I told Kim that she didn’t have to wait for me so off she went leaving me in her dust. I slowly made my way up the last bit of steep trail. I was about 10 minutes from the top when I got a text message from Kim, “I’m waiting. How long till you get here?” was all she had to say. I had to laugh at her cockiness.
Success, I finally made it to the top. I was hot, very hot. So I looked around for that large patch of snow that I had seen from below. We came around the corner and there it was, like a gift from the hiking Gods there was a large patch of snow, ice cold freezing snow. I wasted no time, I climbed up the hill and laid my tired ass on the snow and began to cool off. This was a good spot, we sat and ate our lunch and enjoyed the view. We played at the top for a while before take the journey back down the mountain. On the way down we took the long route, this route was without a doubt more scenic. There are many views of the Columbia River and of the Gorge.
The Columbia River and The Gorge
So here is a small rant; People, don’t let your dogs crap on the trail, and when they do, move the crap off the trail. Just because it is named Dog Mountain doesn’t mean that your dog should be allowed to crap where ever it wants. I can’t tell you how many piles of crap there were on the trail, it is very frustrating. If you can’t clean up after your dog, then leave the mutt at home or better yet why don’t you both stay home.
Trail Details
Length: 3.1 miles on the way up, and 3.5 miles on the way down.
Elevation Change: ~2800 ft.
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Elevation Profile For the Trip Up
Maps
Google Earth
Photos
Click here to see the photo gallery
Other Sources
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/trails/locations/mta-0147-dog-mountain.shtml
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes-of-the-week/dog-mountain
http://www.nwhiker.com/CGNSAHike48.html
Getting There
Getting there couldnt be easier. From Vancouver just drive east on HWY 14 for about 48 miles and that is it or if you prefer here is a map that will get you all the way there.
