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| By:
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Rating:  |
Date of Hike: Saturday, August 14, 2010 |
| I guess I'm missing something here. I realize that hiking can be a personal preference kind of thing, so perhaps my comments should be taken with a grain of salt. My family and I (spouse, two kids ages 12 and 9) did not like this hike very much (hence the one star rating). We are not avid hikers - meaning we hike as a family 12+ times per year. We have hiked mountain trails around Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker and the north and central Cascades. A portion of my low rating can be attributed to some misinformation about the hike's time, difficulty level and distance figures in some hiking resources – the hike’s statistics on this website are probably the most accurate of the info I reviewed prior to the hike. The actual total round trip distance is almost 7 miles and we were on the trail for 5+ hours. Most of the hike is through Douglas fir forest on a steep grade - very steep in some places - offering little in the way of views or scenery outside of the forest. The upper/final portion of the hike offers impressive views of the Columbia River Gorge and some peek-a-boo views of the top of Mt. Hood. But this payoff seems anti-climactic after the slog it takes to get there. This may be a good fitness hike for people looking to combine a strenuous aerobic, training type experience on a trail that offers nice views at the pinnacle of the mountain. I don't recommend this hike for families with pre-teen kids. I recommend using trekking poles on this hike (unless your lower extremity joints are in great shape). I also can’t imagine doing this hike without good hiking shoes, laced up tight.
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| By:
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Rating:  |
Date of Hike: Thursday, July 29, 2010 |
I am 60, female, and in fair condition. My daughter (in her 20s) and I hiked up the 'most difficult' eastside trail. It was a hard hike for me, but I made it with some rest and nourishment stops! The hike was beautiful, and the view at the top was spectacular (like you are at the top of the world) but I had to sit in the trail to see it all, because the steepness and elevation of the slope around you indeed gives you a little vertigo, as a man we met along the way cautioned us. We took the easier route down, (thank goodness) but my knees and ankles were really hurting, which they have never done before. We had a smaller dog with us who did fine, but we ran out of water for the trip down, and the dog was dragging by the end, as there of course was no creek or water naturally at that height. It was a hot day but enough periodic shade to keep me and the dog going! My daughter, of course, had no problems and was very patient to wait up for me at times (many times toward the end!) Be sure to take enough water and substantial-type food for snacks for both you and a dog, if you take one. Don't think that you are wimping out by taking the easier trails, it might be the better choice for an over-all enjoyment of the trip! All of the people we met at the top looked like they had just stepped out of their cars, so maybe the easier hike is wiser if you are 60!
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| By:
Mark Waggoner
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Rating: |
Date of Hike: Monday, June 14, 2010 |
| Flowers still looked pretty good on Sunday, though they are past their prime. It was also pretty windy on the upper parts of the trail, but the trees at the peak provided some shelter.
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| By:
sandy
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Rating:  |
Date of Hike: Sunday, May 30, 2010 |
| Love this hike! Have been doing it yearly since 1978. Lots of green this year and high meadow flowers looked like they missed the sun - Balsam Root in bloom but not fully open. I think flowers will continue for a while because so much rain. Saw no rattlesnakes but poison oak was reaching out to grab us!! Hiking polls really useful, especially in the downhill mud.
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| By:
Janis Oakley
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Rating: |
Date of Hike: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 |
| Dog Mountain is a great burn those calories kind of hike. Our friends Dru and Pete lead our pack up the steep trail to the sign. what a beautiful sign. The sign announces that you only have a mile left to the top, to an incredible view. Well worth the energy required to make it.
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| By:
Scott
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Date of Hike: Saturday, May 08, 2010 |
| Very strenuous hike but excellent trail. The second and third weeks of May are the best because that's when the balsamroot generally blooms. I made it in 1 hr 15 min up, 30 min down, but I was passing everyone. I suspect that is not at all typical.
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| By:
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Date of Hike: Saturday, July 11, 2009 |
| My husband and daughter and I took the hike and although it was very steep and hard it was well worth it. We made it to the top in two hours, and it took just about that long to come down in one piece. Then we headed to Carson hot springs to recoup.
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| By:
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Rating: |
Date of Hike: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 |
| Good Hike, nice and steep out the gate. I used this to prepare myself for backpacking this summer so i had a 40 lb bag on my back. In the trees i was sweating a lot and went up the "harder" way, once i hit the open meadow it was well worth it, the breeze cooled me off and there was a giant field of yellow flowers. The view was great from the top but there were a lot of bugs. On the way back i was dumb and went back down the steep way, with the backpack my knees took a beating. Made the loop in under 2.5 hours with around 10 min at the top. Good times.
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| By:
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Rating: |
Date of Hike: Monday, May 25, 2009 |
This was a great day for a hike. Sunny and not real warm. My husband and I do this once a year at least (whether we need it or not) We have never seen it so crowded, there was actually a park employee there directing traffic and parking. The hike up is always a challenge but the wildflowers and the view at the top this year were spectacular. The Wildflowers were a bit later than normal because of the cooler spring.
We did make one bad decision. Because of all the hikers we went down the steeper trail. Really hard on the knees because there is no relief from the descent. I paid for it with a nasty spill just before reaching the bottom. Watch those tree roots!
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| By:
Sherry
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Date of Hike: Saturday, May 23, 2009 |
| It was a gorgeous day, and the wildflowers were in full splendor. I always go up the steep side (far right) and down the more gentle traverse (much easier on the knees). On the way up it was delightfully breezy as it always is at the top.
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| By:
suzicruzi
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Rating: |
Date of Hike: Monday, May 18, 2009 |
| One of my favorites in the Columbia River Gorge, especially in May when the Balsam Root flowers are blooming. As mentioned you gain quite a bit of altitude right out of the parking area for about the first mile or so. The views are incredible! Be sure to pack enough water and sunscreen as much of the trail is exposed, especially coming down in the afternoon sun if you choose the Aussberger loop coming back. I've never seen snakes, but there is plenty of Poison Oak on the lower parts of the trail both going up and coming down. Even if you do not touch it, beware of others' dogs brushing up against you! Most folks do not leash their dogs and most never give concern to their dogs running in the Poison Oak then rubbing up against other hikers. It can be windy at the top, so even on a nice calm morning plan to take a wind shell. You'll be glad you did! Also, this trail is over-crowded on weekends!! Try to hike mid-week if you can arriving at the trail head by 9am. Enjoy and remember pack out what you pack in.... including orange peels! Contrary to what some believe, those are not "natural" to the environment on Dog Mountain. You can make wildlife sick by leaving fruit, or PBJ sandwiches behind for the critters.
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| By:
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Rating: |
Date of Hike: Friday, July 25, 2008 |
| Dog mountain is a challenge for my wife and I. We are approaching 60 and don't want this mountain to kick our butts. We do this hike in about 2 hours Many people never make it half way. I wish we would have discovered this mountain 20 years ago. You will hurt the next day if you are a recreational hiker! There are rattle snakes around! Beware!Keep your dogs on a leash. Have fun!
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| By:
Stephen Zimmerman
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Rating: |
Date of Hike: Monday, April 14, 2008 |
| It was a nice hike it is the first hike for me that had the word Mountain and summit in it. We left at 4:15pm and we got back at 9:20pm so I think we made good time. We took the more diffcult path the way up and yes it is a bit steep. About . At a few points there are even diffcult ways and we took them too. On the way back we took the easier path but the rocks and snow made it seem more diffcult. At the top it was snowing really good and the wind was making it hard to stay up right. I would say it not the the person that is afraid of heights. Over all I would say its not a good idea to go when the weather is bad. The view up is worth the trek, although at the summit it was in the cloud line and we couldnt see anything.
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| By:
W
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Rating:  |
Date of Hike: Saturday, April 12, 2008 |
I went up the east side (counter clockwise on the map,) which was pretty much what I expected- very steep, mostly dry except for a little snow at the top. Coming down the west side was more difficult than I expected, mostly because there is a large patch of snow/ice in the woods. I found it easier to walk in the snow and dig my heels in. The downslope side of the trail looks deceptively clear, but it was actually quite slick. I went slowly, because a little lost time was preferable to a twisted ankle.
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| By:
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Rating: |
Date of Hike: Thursday, April 03, 2008 |
| I am 40, in pretty good shape. Went up this morning with my wife and two boys (14 and 12). Weather, clear (though breezy at the top). Snow and ice and mud on the trail made it slick in spots. Less than 5 people, 2 trail workers, 2 dogs and a squirrel were seen. WHAT A VIEW! Coming down was slow due to the slickness in spots, but kids were wearing tennis shoes, not hiking shoes. We will be back in May, and again and again. Took about 180 pictures.
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| By:
Erika
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Rating: |
Date of Hike: Thursday, October 25, 2007 |
| I live near here, and I do this hike frequently, fantastic views, and wonderful foliage. You might want to fix your picture in the description as it shows that its in the northern edge of Oregon, when in fact its the southern edge of Washington...the other half of the gorge IS in Washington, I'm a bit offended that WA never makes the headlines :(
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| By:
Elisa & June
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Rating: |
Date of Hike: Friday, July 27, 2007 |
| After reading previous reviews, we were a bit apprehensive about the difficulty of the hike. While it was certainly challenging, we found that with a steady pace and plenty of rest/water breaks, we made it up to the top in 2 hours taking the less difficult route. Amos the dog enjoyed every minute but needed water every time we did and was happy to rest at the summit. We recommend starting early in the morning, preferably on a weekday, and wearing lightweight pants and layers, since it was very windy at the top. Snacks or sandwiches replenished our energy levels while enjoying the vista. Views are breathtaking (Hood, St. Helens, & Adams!), even without the wildflowers. Repellant is a good idea. On our way down, because it was so steep, we found ourselves "trouncing" (trotting & bouncing) down the trail. Not only was this a quick way down (70 minutes), but easier on the joints. Happy hiking!
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| By:
Laurie
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Rating: |
Date of Hike: Saturday, June 24, 2006 |
| Usually make this hike during the month of May, so with the heat wave near the end of June, hiking then altered the comfort level. In any case, starting early in the morning is always a good tactic. It's a hike that anyone in varying degrees of condition can make. We usually take the more intense direct route--terrific workout. If you wear shorts, repellent is recomended because along the way and especially at the summit, the bugs are biting. It's always worth the effort--guaranteed. The views are spectacular--you'll wish you had wings to fly!
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| By:
John Sparks
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Rating: |
Date of Hike: Saturday, May 14, 2005 |
| This hike is best in April and May. The western (Augspurger Mountain) trail is the best way to go up as it takes in a meadow on the northwest side of Dog Mountain that those who take the eastern loop don't see. There may be deer up here if you start early. Also, ornery rattlesnakes will appear on the trail later to heat up their chilled coils. There is a lot of poison oak, especially on the central (and steepest) of the three trail options.
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