Hike: Hamilton Mountain + Bridge Trail + Hardy Creek, N Bonneville, WA

Getting there

Just after Doetsch Ranch you'll see the Ranger Station on the north side of the road just before the Beacon Rock parking lot, then another road across from the bathrooms. The road winds up the hill for a bit.

I haven't been here since May 12. I haven't been hiking much this year, though I've done a bunch of trail work parties, some I've recorded, some I have not. I've been participating in WTA's annual Hike-a-Thon fundraiser and it was getting to the end of the month and I needed to squeeze one more hike in. 

Plus, I got a climbing permit for MSH next month and I needed to see what kind of shape I'm in. I've realized over the years that a successful summit is one part fitness, one part nutrition, one part mental toughness, and probably a sprinkle of luck (conditions).

The weather was much improved, AQI levels down to almost nothing. It was overcast and my brain said cool but it was a bit humid. I geared up and stripped off a layer before setting out.

The Hike

Length: 12.0mi
Elev. gain: 2,772ft
Moving time: 4h 38m
Total time: 5h 36m
Avg. pace: 23:11
Calories: 2,453

It felt really good to be back on my favorite trail to close out the month. I still seem to get more winded and I've tried adjusting my pace. When I did the GOH hikes recently, I had to hike slower to stay with the group and felt great so I guess it's about finding the right balance of speed and breathing.

Somewhere between the power lines and Rodney Falls, I ran into a fellow member of the PortlandHikers FB group. I've admired this guy from afar: he posts hikes with long mileage and lots of EG. I recognized him instantly and said hello. In my haste I didn't properly introduce myself to him and his hiking partner, oops.

I continued at a good pace and made it to the switchbacks in good time and was feeling pretty good, definitely warmed up. 

When I reached Baby Ham, Piglet?, there were a bunch of people relaxing on the outcrop. I continued up the trail. I ended up taking the unofficial trail to Little Ham. I kind of knew that some of those people probably saw me head up. It was easy, it took less than 10 mins to disappear out of sight. 

After a short break on Little Ham, I made my way down the trail. I was feeling confident if not a little complacent. I slipped once and told myself to be more careful. When the trail was in sight I slipped again but this time hyper-extended my L index finger. Fuck! Not broken but really painful. It would throb for the rest of the hike but the pain diminished eventually. 

I passed a few people on my ascent. After turn 14, I shot a couple of videos. While recording as I hiked to the summit, I heard voices. When I got to end, I ended the video so I didn't include the other hikers. I'm not an influencer! LOL.

I took a spin to review our work from the spring. I also verified the decommed section was still.... decommed. It was.

Next was the descent to the Saddle. The trail was in good shape and seemed like the park rangers have brushed unless I missed another work party!

At the Saddle, I did a little recon to see how doable climbing up to the rocky outcrop was. I followed user trail as far as I could, to the point where the "trail" ends and it's a scramble. It looked feasible but not with my hand in its condition and probably not alone. I'm guessing going up wouldn't be too bad, it was the "coming down" that gave me pause. Maybe another time.

At the north end of the Saddle, I stopped to take some pictures and noticed a couple coming my way. I scooted off down the trail. 

I dipped off at Don's Cutoff. When I reached the main switchback, the forest was so quiet, not a sound at all: no wind, no bugs, no birds, no water. I closed my eyes for min or so. Amazing. Then, I heard that couple - dang! I scooted off again.

I wasn't planning to extend my hike beyond the usual loop but I wanted to get away from the other hikers. When I got to the Upper Hardy Creek trail, I headed up towards the Bridge Trail.

I vaguely considered a two-peak-day, adding Phlox Point to my day but then the weather changed. It started raining, like quite a bit. I was mostly protected under the dense canopy but it was loud hitting the leaves. I revised my goal to just walk up to the end of the road. Nope.

I turned around and started hiking down to the Equestrian Trail. When I got to Hardy Creek, the rain had stopped and the sun was out. Dang! I might have had some killer views from Phlox Point. I stopped at the picnic table and ate my sandwich.

The descent back to the Hamilton Mtn Trail was uneventful. I made sure to pause a few times to appreciate how lucky I am to be there/here.

I caught up with a couple of hikers I'd seen earlier in the day. I tried to give them some room but I knew I had a faster pace. Fortunately, they stopped and I was able to scoot by, making a remark about the weather.

To complete my "usual loop", I hiked through Hadley Grove to Little Beacon. I passed a family of 5-6. 

At the top of the viewpoint, I had the place to myself. The sun was still high in the sky so I probably wouldn't wait until sunset.

I sat and had a snack. I feel confident to do the MSH climb in a couple of weeks. Despite not hiking much, I'm still in decent shape. As I told Ted and Ethan, I didn't have to summit to have a good day on the mountain. 
 

Hike: Hamilton Mountain + Hardy Creek, N Bonneville, WA

Getting There

Just after Doetsch Ranch you'll see the Ranger Station on the north side of the road just before the Beacon Rock parking lot, then another road across from the bathrooms. The road winds up the hill for a bit.

It was early afternoon and the weather was sunny but warmer than I expected. I haven't been here since Dec 28, 2025, quite a bit different conditions. I have been to Beacon Rock State Park a bunch of times with WTA, all on the west side (E. Hardy Ridge, Bridge Trail, Upper Hardy Creek). We brushed the Hamilton Mountain Summit on March 27.

Anywho.... it was great to be back. I've been missing hiking for fun. 

The Hike

Distance: 9.49 mi
Elev. gain: 2,428 ft
Moving time: 4:12:24
Avg. pace: 26:36
Calories: 2,224
Total time: 5:24:25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was good to be back on this familiar trail. It's been a while since I did the section from the trailhead to the power lines due to the landslides. I'd gone though Hadley Grove back in Dec. Not sure who did the repairs 'cuz it wasn't WTA.

I had 3L of fluids (2L of Power Ade, and 1L of water). Even before I reached the power lines, I was feeling winded. It was hotter than it seemed. Probably in the 80s, so, not terrible-I've done worse, but it was probably a bit humid too. I was sweating pretty good and was glad I'd worn shorts and my sun-shirt hoodie.

I had to pause several times because my heart was beating really fast. I've noticed lately is my legs feel strong but my cardio is lacking so I'm having to take mini-breaks and let my heart rate slow down before proceeding. Maybe my fitness, maybe the heat. (Something I need to work on and/or be more cognizant of.) 

Anyway, I paused briefly at Rodney Falls to take a breather and enjoy the sounds and cooler air.

I made my requisite side trip to Little Hamilton. I considered going up the sketchy route but just didn't feel up to it. I hike the regular trail and then took the junction.

When I was coming down off Little Hamilton, a guy was there at the junction and asked where the trail went. I gave him the recommendation that it was worth the effort. He opted to do it on the way back and took off upward. I noticed he had no pack, no water/fluids, nothing but the shirt on his back and shorts & shoes and cell phone. It always baffles me. I have several liters and the <10 essentials *minus a bunch of stuff like fire starting stuff, headlamp* then there are folks like this guy with nothing. 

I saw him again at the summit. He was chilling and looking a his phone.

I stopped at the Saddle and ate 1/2 my sandwich.

When I continued back down, I took Don's Cutoff trail to Upper Hardy Creek. I didn't take many photos for awhile. I did my best to enjoy the environment. I need to do more of that, not just zooming from the trailhead to the summit and back down.

I also did my requisite side trip through Hadley Grove to Little Beacon Rock.

This plaque is at the edge of the grove, near the campground. It's affixed to a chunk of petrified wood.

HADLEY GROVE

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF
CLYDE B. HADLEY
FIRST SUPERINTENDENT OF BEACON
ROCK STATE PARK 1938-1951

HIS INSPIRING LEADERSHIP AND DILIGENT LABOR WERE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS 4000 
ACRES INTO ONE OF WASHINGTON'S FOREMOST STATE 
PARKS. HIS LOYALTY TO HIS COUNTRY, THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON AND THIS COMMUNITY WAS BEYOND REPROACH.

THIS PLAQUE PRESENTED BY
WASHINGTON STATE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, BOY SCOUTS 
OF AMERICA STEVENSON TROOP 321 AND PORTLAND AREA COUNCIL 
GIRL SCOUTS OF U.S.A. SKAMANIA COUNTY TROOP AND COLUMBIA RIVER COUNCIL STEVENSON HIGH SCHOOL SKAMANIA GRADE SCHOOL
SKAMANIA COUNTY ROD AND GUN CLUB STEVENSON LIONS CLUB GRANGES
OF SKAMANIA COUNTY CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

ERECTED 1951 

Hike: Hamilton Mountain + Hardy Creek, N Bonneville, WA

Getting There

Just after Doetsch Ranch you'll see the Ranger Station on the north side of the road just before the Beacon Rock parking lot, then another road across from the bathrooms. The road winds up the hill for a bit.

It was late morning and the weather was slightly overcast but I expected some nice views from up above. By the time, I got to the Saddle, I could see sunshine on the frosted tops of the mountains on the Oregon side of the river. It was windy though and getting darker. 

The Hike

Length: 8.52 mi
Elev. gain: 2,234 ft
Moving time: 3:35:28
Total time: 4:08:57
Avg pace: 25:17
Calories: 1,898

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trail News

The front section of the Hamilton Mountain trail is closed from the trailhead to the powerlines/junction. There was a major landslide a couple weeks ago. 

This is a screen cap from WTA Ryan's video on the PortlandHiker's Facebook page.

This is not far from the parking lot. In the video, Ryan pans left, down the trail, and you can see the parking lot. No ETA on when the repairs will start. For now, you can hike through the campground and use the Hadley Grove Trail to get to the Hamilton Mountain Trail past/above the landslide.
 

 

 

 

It's been three weeks since my last hike. Even though I love the photos I'm getting when I do muster the energy to get out there, my motivation has been low. My chest has been weirdly tight for a few weeks. I know I'm in good enough shape to tackle these hikes. The forecast showed no rain and only mid-40s between Washougal and N Bonneville.

When I reached the first viewpoint, the sun was clearly shining brightly. This is also the point when I've gone past Rodney Falls and am feeling pretty warmed up. My tight chest didn't seem to be an issue.

I stopped to consider where the new trail segment will be created at the foot of Little Hamilton. I saw Ryan's and Stasia's orange flagging. Since this trail and state park is so important to me, I hope I can participate in this work. However, I'll be a bit sad that this section of the difficult switchbacks will be decommissioned. There are short, exposed viewpoints like the following three pictures below that will no longer be accessible (without "trespassing"?). 

  

 

Another user trail that will be decommissioned is the a steep gash up the side of Little Hamilton. I know it's just going to keep getting damaged. Today I hiked up it for the second time. It's a little sketchy, lol. Still a good way to get up there, for variety. Guess I'll get another year or so to enjoy this before work is started in 2027.

After my Lil' Ham detour, I continued up. For some reason, I asked a solo hiker coming down about the conditions at the top. In hindsight, I should have just waved/said hello and kept to myself. I find myself chatting with at least acknowledging people on the trail, given my time as a Hiking Steward. I need to be cognizant about taking to solo female hikers on the trail. 

When I reached the last set of switchbacks to the top, I found my first bit of lingering snow and ice. There wasn't enough to warrant microspikes but I had them just in case. At this point, I still hadn't decided if I was continuing to the Saddle or was just going to do an up-n-back. I would decide at the top. I crossed paths with a guy wearing shorts. Geez Louise.

At the top, I saw lots of boot and dog prints going to the Saddle. The snow wasn't hard and slippery. I was feeling good and I was glad I was doing my loop.

The Saddle was pretty windy and chilly. Not a good spot to stop and eat like I have on recent previous hikes here. I was going to stop anyway and get out my spectacles and tighten my R boot.

To my surprise, I reflexively looked over my right shoulder and saw someone. A trail runner in shorts and thin long sleeved top. They were wearing a small hydration pack. We exchanged a couple words but I lingered and watched them go by.

I thought about how some people take a calculated risk. I imagined encountering someone like that who and twisted an ankle or something. I was prepared. I thought about that rescue in Ape Cave with Ted, and that feeling of being unprepared. 

However one wants to justify bringing such a heavy pack on these hikes is fine by me. "Better to have it and no need it, than need it and not have it." Someone else might need what I have in my pack: first aid, food, clothing, hydration. The extra weight will help me get "more" in shape and reassurance in physical abilities for more remote hikes.

I didn't take any more photos after the one above. 

As I headed through Hadley Grove, I studied the sunlight on the Oregon mountains in view. I judged that I'd missed the best light from the perch atop Little Beacon Rock. For the first time in awhile, I skipped this side quest. My hips were hurting and I was glad to use what little energy I had left to get back to the car.

The trailhead parking lot was nearly empty but there were more cars than I expected since I'd only seen one family up by Rodney Falls. It was dark. I'd made the right call to skip Lil' Beacon.