Larch Mountain Rim Loop Hike
This trail loops around the rim of Larch Mountain, an ancient volcanic peak in the Columbia River Gorge. Early summer is a particularly stunning time to visit, with beargrass and rhododendrons in full bloom.
distance: 6.2 miles
elevation gain: 1,440 ft.
difficulty: moderate
best season: spring, summer, fall
hike description: OregonHikers.org – Larch Mountain Rim loop
drive time from Portland: 50 minutes
parking pass: NW Forest Pass
The Hike
The road to Larch Mountain is closed for the winter, usually from November to May depending on snow levels. There are two loop options that can be done starting at the top of Larch. On this day, we did the Rim loop in the opposite direction that I’ve done before so we could get the road walk part out of the way at the start. No matter which direction you do the loop, it’s downhill at the start, and uphill to finish.
After heading up to Sherrard Point (a former volcanic plug at the top of Larch Mountain) for views, we walked the road to the start of the loop on the Oneonta Trail, then took the Multnomah Spur Trail to the Larch Mountain Trail for the full loop hike. All of the water crossings are easy, and we only saw three people all day (on a Monday).
At the viewing platform at the top of Sherrad Point, you can see Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson.
Mount St. Helens on the horizon
We started our hike on the road towards the Oneonta Trail. I’ve never seen this much beargrass at Larch Mountain before!
The forest was full of blooming rhododendrons too.
The beargrass in the forest was more sparse than alongside the road, but always a sight to behold.
Deer ferns were abundant in some sections, with bright green new growth.
Oneonta Creek, which eventually leads to Triple Falls, but up on Larch Mountain, it’s barely a stream.
Several old stumps alongside the trail looked like mythical creatures.
The East Fork of Multnomah Creek was easy to cross on this day. I’ve been here in the spring when it was raging with water and uncrossable without getting wet.
We saw a couple of newly sprouted pine sap specimens. Pinesap (Monotropa hypopitys) is a perennial plant that lacks chlorophyll and relies on parasitic relationships with fungi for nourishment instead of using photosynthesis. The fungi it depends on form mycorrhizal connections with nearby trees.
The vivid pink of these newly opened rhododendron blooms really catches the eye.
This old bridge over the West Fork Multnomah Creek is still standing, but I chose to rock hop across the creek instead this time.
