Hardy Ridge Hike – Columbia River Gorge

The hike to the Phlox Point on Hardy Ridge features panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge – and in late spring to early summer – rock gardens filled with phlox accentuate views from the rocky spine.

distance: 8.5 miles (loop)
elevation gain: 2,150 ft.
difficulty: strenuous
drive time from Portland: 1 hour
parking pass: Discover Pass
hike description: OregonHikers.org: Hardy Ridge Loop Hike

The Hike

At Beacon Rock State Park, besides the popular trails to Beacon Rock and Hamilton Mountain, several former logging roads have been gated and turned into trails that provide less crowded opportunities for hikers and equestrians. One of these former roads leads to trails that go up Hardy Ridge.

We started our hike at the Equestrian trailhead and continued on this former road for 1.6 miles, passing trail junctions for the West Hardy Ridge Trail (which will be our return route) and the Loop Trail.

At the second trail junction, we left the road and took the East Hardy Ridge trail. This single track trail ascends the side of a ridge for 2 miles through a scenic section of forest with a mix of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, red alder, and vine maple trees.

After a couple of short switchbacks, we arrived at the ridge crest at a four-way junction. To the left is short side trail to a viewpoint without much for views due to overgrown shrubs. Straight ahead is the return trail for the loop hike. To continue up the spine of Hardy Ridge, we turned right.

Just after the junction is a basalt rock fin with panoramic views across the river. The top of Mount Hood is usually visible from here, but not today.

We continued up the  rocky trail to open views to the east.

The trail winds through thickets of small trees and shrubs before making the final ascent up a ridge.

At the crest, the trail levels out with plenty of good spots to take a long break and enjoy the panoramic views.

To reach Phlox Point, we continued via switchbacks on a loose talus slope to a rocky summit block. Wildflowers filled the rocky upper sections of Hardy Ridge.

To complete the loop, we headed back down the ridge to the four-way junction and turned right. This route descends via switchbacks on the West Hardy Ridge Trail, eventually connecting back to the Equestrian Trail for the return to the trailhead.