The weather this week has been gorgeous, so luckily a last minute change in plans and I was able to join up with the Mazamas for a hike to

Dog Mountain, WA. I have to confess, I hadn't hiked this before! Maybe I was intimidated by the alleged trail steepness...or the crowds that go there...or the poison oak.....but today was the day.

We met and carpooled from the Lewis and Clark State Park lot, and I "volunteered" to ride with the woman who was driving a Mustang convertible - wheee, thanks Bonnie! :) 

 

There were 13 of us, and from the Dog Mountain Trailhead (Forest Pass required) Tom our leader had us do the clockwise loop, going up the Augspurger Trail first. 

 

 

 I didn't realize how much nice forest you walk through first, I've always only seen the open meadows near the summit in photos. There were many pretty flowers along the trail,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 dappling sun and shade today for comfortable temps, and incredible views...

 

 

and yes, MUCH poison oak - thigh high shrubs sometimes trying to reach into the trail. Extra care with steps was needed, but we went at a nice, moderate pace - I don't think I could have gone fast anyway, it was indeed a "huffer" getting up there

 

 

 

We took breaks as needed for clothing adjustment, snacks or photos. We all stopped and listened at one point to a grouse in the thicket, it's low, booming, almost primal warning call  was a treat to hear.

 

We reached the summit in a bit over two hours. Just a handful of other hikers were up there where we all shared this great lunch spot, and the views were luxurious. (walking north from here a bit we could see Mt. Adams too, but my photos didn't turn out).

 

 

 

 

Everyone was saying the Balsam Root was just barely starting its show, but, acknowledged that all the other delicate flowers that we noticed today would have been overshadowed, such as Phlox, Desert Parsley, and even some wild strawberry blossoms!

 

 

 

The trail down was precarious with its steep pitch and sometimes loose rock, but everyone just paced themselves as needed.

 

 

We stopped at a view point that Tom called "Puppy Dog", where there's remnants of an old fire lookout and amazing vistas:

 

 

 We then continued down the Dog Mtn. trail, again entering the lower forested area and some welcomed shade. Many hikers (some with dogs) were just getting up the trail, and it was  almost 2pm!  The temps were getting pretty warm by now.

 

This was indeed a great hike, fun comrades, beautiful day and views, and yes, a good work out:)

According to the hiking books,  this is close to 7 miles rt, 2820 elev. gain, and the three trails are pretty well-signed (the "old" trail or middle trail Tom pointed out to us, I guess an alternative if you want less views, more steepness, but less people probably). There's more details on this hike in the PH Field Guide  http://portlandhikersfieldguide.com/wiki/Dog_Mountain_Hike

And, read Paul Gerald's description of this hike in his "60 Hikes..." book if you want to learn why this is called Dog Mountain ;)

 

As we were dispersing to our cars, we heard first, then saw, a pair of Bald Eagles (it looked like a male and female) cavorting above us and giving us one more "wow" before we headed out. Our last stop was the Charburger in Cascade Locks for root beer floats, a perfect treat to end my "Day at Dog":) Thanks Tom and everyone!