RSS
Home
A few weeks left on Larch Mountain Road
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Viewpoint in fog on Larch Mountain photo by author
A fun drive, especially if it's sunny out, is Larch Mountain Road in the Columbia Gorge. It closes for snow sometime around Thanksgiving every year and has already had a small amount of snow this fall. Larch Mountain is at 4,056 feet of elevation and is a surprisingly short drive from Multnomah Falls. (Another fun drive that closes in winter is Lolo Pass.)
There is also a trail to reach Larch Mountain from Multnomah Falls, but again, consider that you would be gaining 4,000 feet of elevation, making this quite a difficult hike. Note that the trails at the top intersect each other and sometimes people have a hard time figuring out which way to go. Once at the top, whether by car or on foot, there is a viewpoint 1/4 mile away from the parking lot with markers pointing to distant mountains. In the spring the rock walls are covered with wild flowers. It is quite a spectacular spot.
Vine Maples on Larch Mountain Road photo by author
On the drive up the hill, there are quite a few stands of vine maple that are still turning various shades of the color spectrum from green through red. In the summertime, the parking lot requires a Northwest Forest Pass to park. They are available at outdoor stores in Portland or in the Multnomah Falls gift shop.
To get to Larch Mountain Road from I-84 heading East, take Exit 28 and follow signs to Crown Point/Vista House. Immediately after the Vista House, Larch Mountain Road is a left turn heading up the mountain. It is only 14 miles long, but is fairly steep. Nearby Campgrounds include Ainsworth, Eagle Creek and Beacon Rock. Check to see if they are closed for the winter as well.
Scenery from Womens Forum Park photo by author
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
