This is the most beautiful hike we have been on in a long
time. Quite strenuous in the beginning you gain most of the
elevation in a very short distance cutting back and forth through
the lower forest region.
About halfway up the mountain you break out of the forest
and if you are as lucky enough as we were and take the hike
in the late spring you emerge into mountain side fields of
yellow wild flowers.
We hiked the rest of the way to the summit on the trail that
went through these fields. At the top the panorama was fantastic!
with unobstructed views of the Columbia Gorge, Mt. Hood and
Mt. St. Helens.
If you are going to be hiking in the Columbia Gorge area this
is one hike you can't miss!
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Reviews For The Dog Mountain Hike (5 Most Recent)
We loved this hike for the difficulty. We went up the Dog Mountain more difficult trail and loved the burn!! We had a time crunch so we skipped the summit:( but will definitely be back to do it again. We did the entire loop in under four hours. There were a few flowers at the top, but not many. The view of the river and the gorge was clear and absolutely gorgeous!
I do have a warning for anyone who wants to take a dog on this hike. My lab mix weighs about 70 pounds and his paws got quite cut up on the Ausberger trail on the way down. We didn't notice the trouble until we were at the bottom and noticed his limping. We were absorbed in watching the trail for rattlesnakes and really should have been more attentive, but wanted to warn others so their dogs don't have to suffer like mine did.
Fabulous trail, but not for the weak! It was a great challenge and training for our Mt St Helens climb coming up!
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, July 09, 2011
A STUNNING array of Phantom Orchids. Usually an exceedingly rare flower, they number well to 1000 on both Dog Mountain and Ausberger Trail
Also seen, two Spotted coralroot~ immaculata forms, Wood rein orchids, one Striped Coralroot and Green Bog Orchids in the high meadows. Most of the Coralroots are past their blooms, earlier June is best for them.
The Phantoms I am still stunned by what I saw.
Ausberger Trail is for sure the "easy" way up, the Dog Mountain trail down can be quite slippery in places. For those with downslope issues, go up Dog Mountain and down Ausberger.
By:
Tim
Rating:
Date of Hike: Monday, June 27, 2011
One of my most favorite hikes .... Just a warning though to those who bring their dogs .... There is rattlesnakes on the trail from time to time so keep your dogs on a leash ..... Please pass the word along.
By:
Ayla
Rating:
Date of Hike: Thursday, June 23, 2011
Folks, this is the weekend for Dog Mountain. We went up today to avoid the crowds and the flowers are putting on an incredible show. Larkspur, Paintbrush, Lupine, on and on and on. If you ever wanted to walk in a Monet painting, here's your chance.
By:
Blake
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, June 05, 2011
My six year old son has decided that he wants to see the Burgess Shale at Yoho National Park in Canada. I told him we would have to train for it since it starts at 4800 feet, ends at 7200 feet and is a 12 mile hike. I am 50, my wife is 40 and we started training last week on the Wahkeena Falls/Multnomah Falls loop hike.
I gave this hike 4 stars because it was a great hike but it kicked our butts. We had a nice slow pace and spent six hours on the trails. We had just enough water and were smart enough to bring a big lunch. We made it to the summit in four hours and that includes many breaks and a 30 minute lunch stop.
Even without waterfalls the scenery was stunning! The wildflowers were at their peak. We saw a small rattlesnake sunning on the side of the trail. It ignored us and we were able to get a picture of it. My son thought that was awesome. As tired as we were from going up hill for four hours, and I mean UP HILL, it was incredible to make it to the top and relish our accomplishment. Going back down was somewhat easier but there are some spots with loose gravel and you have to be careful. As we were making our way down through the forest, we were alone and it started to rain and it was so refreshing!
We will remember this hike for a long time to come.
This is the most beautiful hike we have been on in a long
time. Quite strenuous in the beginning you gain most of the
elevation in a very short distance cutting back and forth through
the lower forest region. 
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