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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a great trail to take on a sunny afternoon. Not the traditional way to get to Larch Mountain, but a very good look at several falls along the way. Once you pass Multnomah Falls, you enter a lush green forest and meander along the river for 6.8 miles and gains over 4000ft. You will pass no less than 5 waterfalls on the way; some are small and shallow, while others are up to 40ft or more and plunge into deep green pools. The trail crosses the river several times. Keep an eye on your footing as you go, the thick canopy does not let in large amounts of light to dry the trail out very quickly after a rainstorm. Once you get to the top of the trail there is a large picnic area with tables that makes for a nice lunch break. Be sure to take the 1/4 mile trail up to Sherrad Point. From this vantage point one can see the following Cascade Mountains. Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, and the top of Mt. Jefferson. What an awesome view. Trailhead: Take I-84 to the Multnomah Falls exit, park in the lot and walk under the freeway via the tunnel. The trail starts next to the lodge and takes you past beautiful Multnomah Falls on your way up. (Lat:45.567639 Lon:-122.11645) Trail Guides for Larch Mountain Trail, Columbia River Gorge Oregon: Hiking the Columbia River Gorge by Russ Schneider (Falcon Guide) 60 Hikes within 60 miles of Portland by Paul Gerald (Menasha Ridge Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: Hood River Ranger Station 6780 Highway 35 Mt. Hood - Parkdale, OR 97041 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Drew Furnia, who has posted 23 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 1 of 4 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Anna37 on 7/26/2007 This trail was my introduction to hiking in the Gorge, and I've returned frequently since. The beginning part up Multnomah Falls is insanely crowded, but always a surprisingly challenging warm-up if you keep a brisk pace. Once you get about an hour into your hike, the crowds will thin down to almost nothing. I generally wear trail shoes, a camelback and carry trekking poles for the return trip. I do think this is a pretty hard hike, and it can be slow going on some of the steeper portions, but the panorama at the top is something to work for! Usually takes me 2:45, with another 15 up to Sherrard Point. Quicker coming down, but not much. Take trail shoes, water, snack, trekking poles.
Reviewed by Scott on 7/16/2007 Just got back and I can honestly say this was the most beautiful hike I have ever been on. We did the whole trail (Unfortunatley started at the top, bad mistake for the legs) in about 7 hours with many beautiful stops along the way. Lots of water and snacks are a must.. We had the most beautiful weather and around every corner there seemed to be something even more beautiful than the one before. This is not a hike (atleast the whole thing) for Kids or people who are not fit. This hike was a cardio WORKOUT!! It was also worth every step and minute that we spent. When you are the top, go the extra .25 mile up the stairs to Sherrod point where you can see Mt Hood, Mt St Helens etc... on a clear day. It was breath taking.
Reviewed by ELVIS on 5/20/2007 IT IS A BEAUTIFUL HIKE,I WAS THERE ONLY ONCE AND I ONLY WENT ABOUT 3 MILES UP AND THAN BACK.I REALLY WANNA GET A CHANCE TO GO BACK AND EXPERIENCE THE WHOLE THING.I THINK THAT IT WILL BE WORTH IT. 
Reviewed by Erica on 5/17/2007 I loved this hike! My sister and a friend did it in approx. 4 hours! It was a great hike. Only do this hike if you're willing to push yourself and if you have a water pack! I'd recommend bring 2 cliff bars and some sliced apple and you'll be good to go! Don't run on the way down, my sister tripped and I was very close to falling many times. Anyway, its awful for your knees and you start to feel the pain a mile away from the finish. Beautiful trail. Overall, amazing hike. I would recommend this this to anyone who loves hiking and pushing themselves!
Reviewed by Snaffle on 4/29/2007 My first time up the Larch mt. Trail. we left Mult. Falls parking lot at 8am 4/28/07. what an amazing trail this is! beautiful water falls and just a serene environment. Nice gradual grade, which made it fairly easy to keep a steady pace. Some blow down about 1.5miles from the lookout point at the top. Some snow still remains where the parking lot is up at the Larch Mt. picnic area, but just in spots. No view due to clouds though. Made it to the look out in 4hrs. had a lovely lunch and then headed back down. Took about 3hrs back due to stopping off for some pictures here and there. I would highly recommend starting off early in the morning as we were the only ones on the trail and at the look out.
Reviewed by Kevin on 4/8/2007 For some reason, of all my visits to Multnomah Falls, I had never hiked this trail, but it is a beautfiul hike, to be sure! I chose a sunny day, and had little idea what I was in for, but the trail was very manageable with just a bottle of water and an apple for the trip. The secenery is some of the best I have ever seen, no matter how far along the trail you decide to go! Not knowing what lay ahead, I turned back just after the "rock field", but close to the top. Returning to the parking area, things got pretty congested, but by then my legs were happy to be slowing down. Once you get beyond the tourist traffic at the start, you may see only a half dozen other hikers along the way - at least in mid-April. Very, very beautiful hike!
Reviewed by tv on 4/8/2007 This is a very nice hike. (Round trip 4hrs 45minutes) It rises steadily and is tiring but it is not steep at all and is well-maintained (by Canadian standards.) There was still some snow at the top, but no snowshoes, crampons etc were required. (April 6). The stream with all of the smaller waterfalls (approx mile 1 to mile 3) was great!
Reviewed by Greg on 8/21/2006 Great hike... nice steady climb, so it makes for a great workout. The Multnomah Falls crowds are a bit heavy at the bottom, so either choose a different starting point or plan for a more leisurely pace for the first mile or so. I was on a tight schedule, so I was pushing it a bit and was able to do the full roundtrip in just over 4 1/2 hours (summer conditions, of course). Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Oregon Hiking, Oregon Trails, Oregon Hikes, Multnomah County Hiking, Multnomah County Trails, Multnomah County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||