Getting to Beacon Rock State Park, home of both Beacon Rock and Hamilton Mountain, from either Portland, Oregon or Vancouver is a quick 40-minute drive East up the Gorge.
The first time I hiked Hamilton Mountain was back in the late ’90s. I’ve hiked both Hamilton and Beacon Rock multiple times since then. They’re both fun, family-friendly trails.
Distance: 6.4 to 9 miles (out-and-back or loop)
Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet (731 meters)
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Trailhead: 45.63238 -122.02042
Parking: $10/day or $30/annual
Fun Fact: This beautiful park was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps, an agency created to help employ Americans during the Great Depression.
Hiking Hamilton Mountain
On the way down the mountain, stop here and cool your feet off in the water.
The beautiful Pool of Winds.
From the summit you can see Mount Adams and Mount Hood. You can sort of notice them in the picture. Look close, they’re the white caps on the left and right.
Other Gorge Hikes
- Hiking Angel’s Rest – A short, fun hike near Multnomah Falls.
- Hiking Table Mountain – Follow the Pacific Crest Trail to the challenging Heartbreak Ridge Trail, which leads to the summit.
- Hiking Dog Mountain – A tough hike to a flower covered summit (in the spring) and wide open views of the Gorge.
Until next time, take a hike!
