larch mountain

Nice short hike. Great view of five mountains if it is a clear day. Also a view of the Columbia River below.

This experience was once in a lifetime. Thinking it would be a typical lookout point we drove up this corridor, tree lined street with ease. It can be very dark on this route so if your weary or have bad night vision if yourself ample day light to really enjoy the drive. Upon arriving there is a nice hike that leads up stairs to the actual top of this mountain. You can see the peaks of 5 different mountains, if you are visiting Oregon this is a must!! Enjoy the view and soak it all in.

Not a hard hike. View from the top is incredible even if a few of the peaks were not visible due to clouds. Great place to see 5 mountains, St. Helens, Adams, Rainier, Jefferson, and Hood. Trail is completely paved and there are a few spots to stop to rest if, like me, altitude gives you problems. Steps get you to the top, and there are benches there. Great way to get the experience of mountain without too much effort! Also a great farmer stand on the way down!!! Must pay park fee. but it is a small amount.

It's about 14 miles up a windy road to get there. Once to the parking there is a little bit of a hike and then some stairs to the view point. From there, on a clear day you can see MT. St. Helens, Rainier, Adams, Hood and Jefferson. Picnic area and hiking trails also there. Elevation at the viewing area in 4055'. $5.00 parking fee unless you are annual pass holder. Not handicapped accessible to viewing area. Worth the drive up if you like mountains!!

Every time I visit this place I say I should come more. It takes about 40 minute drive from Portland to get to the top. The last 14 miles are up hill winding good paved road brings you to about 4000 ft height from Hwy 84 by the Columbia River. From the parking lot you have access to picnic spots, hike trails or follow nice paved path to spot at very top and a stone structure/platform that is above it all. You can see from this all the mountains around you in all directions vis well marked brass plaques with names and distance from you. One a hot day you lose 20 degrees so enjoy natures A/C. At night it is perfect dark sky spot other than aircraft heading for PDX. Last night July 28 we saw 10-15 meteors an hour between 11- 2am. This area is open when snow allows only. It is part of Mt. Hood National Forest, with pay for day use and has day use toilets, but forget them at night as not in parking area. Take flash or head mount lights, warm clothes and seating if going after dark to see the milky way or hike path to top. Enjoy this treasure as I know you will. Also be quiet and respect others trying to enjoy the solitude here. You will see satellites, meteors and watch as stars wink as bats fly above.

The photo of the snow covered mountain you see in the Trip Advisor photo is MT HOOD. Larch Mtn is the hilly looking mountain in front of it and much smaller. Wonderful place to hike.

We drove up Larch Mountain on our final day in Oregon, and it was the perfect ending to 12 days in this beautiful state. The hike is paved, but steep - but my rickety knees (one has been replaced) made it fine. To see 5 major peaks from one viewpoint, spectacular!!

In my opinion, it is a bit of a cheat to drive up to Larch Mountain's scenic vista point, but talk about the best view of the Cascade range within just 30-45 minutes from Portland. It is a VERY short hike (full of stairs though) to get to the scenic point from the parking lot and the BEST place to take all your friends and relatives you've been bragging to about Portland's natural beauty for so long.

Good and not so good. The good part is the short hike up and you see the cascade peaks. i was on a clear day and it was just awesome. we could see Adams, Hood and Jefferson clearly. Rainer and St. Helens were lost in the clouds but fantastic nonetheless. The not so good part is the long hike. It was not marked at all. We didnt take a map as we assumed there will be atrail map at the trailhead (as most trails in the Columbia Gorge have). There were no signs. We picked up a random trail and went on it for about 2 miles and gave up. It would have been great if the info was presented by USFS there. Still don't give up. it is a ncie place.

If you are traveling along Columbia Historic Highway, do not miss the Larch Mountain drive (hike). The drive starts across the road from Women's Forum Overlook. You drive 14.3 mi to the Larch Mountain Picnic Area. In a good weather you can see all peaks in WA and OR except of Mt. Baker.Don' miss this opportunity to spot and have a picnic there.