[GeoTom]

Last week I find out that I have a couple site visits to do along the Columbia River gorge, in Lyle and Carson. Wanting to squeeze a hike in, I notice that Dog Mountain is right off the highway between these two burgs. Since I was going midweek in November, I doubted I would have to endure the crowds this trail reportedly receives. The clear skies of the early morning gave way to thin overcast skies by the time I hit the trailhead. I was going at the worst time for any decent photos (that's my excuse!), but it made for pleasant hiking weather. It was a touch windy at the trailhead though. Only 2 cars at the railhead, and one was leaving as I arrived. Jasper and I started up the trail at 11:45.

Jasper in a hurry up the Dog Mountain trail

Jasper dog on Dog Mountain trail

About a half-mile up the trail we were faced with a choice of routes.

Trail choices

After a brief consultation we decided to take the "More Difficult" route as it was shorter. It was steep in places, but the leaves on the ground and occasional views were nice.

It's fall

We could hear the wind in the trees above us, but we were relatively sheltered while still in the trees. We broke out of the trees as we approached the Puppy Lookout. That's when the wind hit and took my ball cap right off my head. I retrieved it and replaced it with my warmer hat. While this is a relatively low elevation hike, the winds can be bad. I can't imagine doing it in winter. Some people like that sort of thing though. Crazy people. We arrived at the Puppy Lookout and enjoyed views down to the River, and even a tiny bit of Mt. Hood.

Hood River in the distance

Wind Mountain from Puppy Lookout

The trail continues up past Puppy Lookout

We started up the trail again, and the wind died down a bit as we went around the western flank of Dog. The summit area was in view, and we continued up, arriving at 1:15. Quick for me, normal for Jasper. Views included a bit more of Hood, a little of St. Helens and Adams (through some trees) and more of the river below.

The tip of Mt. Hood from Dog Mountain

Wind Mountain and the Columbia River from Dog Mountain

We only spent about 15 minutes on toop, eating a bit and drinking some water before heading down. Ran into one hiker on his way up and briefly chatted with him before continuing down. It was still windy at Puppy Lookout. We decided to take the "Less Difficult" route on the way down as I wasn't looking forward to the knee pounding (even with trekking poles). The views seemed better on this route too. Made it back down in 1 hour, 10 minutes with plenty of daylight left for my site visit in Carson while Jasper slept in the back of the car. One of these days he needs to do his share of the driving.

[Tazz]

Ahhh the winds at Dog! Never been up there when it is calm. Every single time it is windy as hell. I also vowed after last year I will always do this one in the winter. It is so pretty with snow and ice, and no peeps in the winter. You lucked out on not seeing 100's of people. Good report thanks for sharing.

[GeoTom]

I had a feeling it would be windy based on it's location and reading previous TR's (yours included Tazz). I can see why it would be popular during the summer. Probably nice wildflowers on the high slopes.

[Tazz]

The flowers in the spring cover the entire open slope. It is quite beautiful!

[Hiking Tuque]

I commend you for allowing your dog to enjoy the hike off-leash!

[GeoTom]

[MtnGoat]

Where in Lyle were you working?

[GeoTom]

[ActionBetty]

I got up there right at the beginning of summer..a few weeks after the most intense spring flower show..I still caught some nice color. I let my pup go unleashed most of the way except for the few times we seen people...it was her first official peek I can't wait to try it out in Winter Nice Tr and pics..

[Alan Bauer]

Excellent report and photos---I was up there on Oct 19th last year and the leaves carpeting the forest really made a beautiful day of it. And like already mentioned, the upper brown meadows are all flowers in May. It's a good dog hike too---my only word of caution for April-Oct is that I'd be much more concerned allowing my dog off-leash as to avoid having them run in alone without your help with a rattlesnake. They are common in the lower oaks through the first 1/2 mile, and again in the upper rocky areas near the top. Just be careful! Now is the perfect time if you don't like those sorts of wildlife sightings

[Sabahsboy]

Thank you for photos of a place I have wanted to visit. Jasper sure looks trail ready! Have you visited Dog Mountain up the North Fork of the Snoqualmie? This one is quite a rough little trail with blowdowns and wet slopes. Incredible wildflowers. It leads to ridge top beside Dog Mtn. and then a trail down to Anderson Lake and a view of Garfield to die for.

[Elliott Haybaler]

Great pictures! This was one of my best hikes of the summer......was staying nearby on the fourth of July and went up early in the morning and there were no people whatsoever (though that is not the norm). The wind was incredible! My hat blew off my head a couple times

[ActionBetty]

The wind is almost always crazy in the gorge

[MtnGoat]