Hidden Falls

When we hiked up Silver Star Mountain there was a sign for

a side hike to Hidden falls which sounded fun. We found

 a different trailhead that offered a longer, 10.5 mile hike into

 the falls, which made this our longest hike of the year.

It was a warm day and we had to stop and give the dogs water

 about twice an hour. Halfway to the falls Arwen just started

 to lay on the ground next to the water dish and drink 

while laying to save energy.

Over the years there have been a series of fires that have come 

across this area of wilderness. The trail varies from old growth 

to new growth forest with some burned 

trees and clear-cutting mixed in.

Sum and the pups hiking along an old logging road.

After Arwen took to laying next to the water dish, we came to 

this little creek. Arwen bent down to drink some water to cool her 

off then found it easier just to lay down right in the middle of the

 creek and lick the water around her. Next thing she will learn

 to drink underwater.

At the base of Hidden Falls. We had lunch on the log bench 

just behind sum.

Hidden falls is 92 feet high and is more of a mist and lacy falls.

There was some great forest around the falls

to shade our lunch spot.

At the base of the falls.

We saw five deer on the drive down the mountain, but this 

was the closest we got to them before they ran away.

Opal Creek and Triple Pool

While on the way to Opal creek we stopped by

Triple Pool, which is just a lower arm of the creek.

There are several nice areas to relax and we did just that, 

enjoying lunch and getting a tan on a nice rocky beach.

This is a cool rock formation just beyond where we 

ate lunch. 

Max probably went after his stick three dozen times today.

The water was pretty cold and when he was done he shivered 

for a good twenty minutes until the sunny rocks warmed him up.

An underwater picture of Max swimming with our

underwater camera. 

Arwen getting some help from Mom.

Elk Meadow

Summer and I were hiking at Opal Creek and some

nice ladies told of this hike at Elk Meadows. A really 

nice hike with a great view of Mt. Hood.

There are a couple of snow runoff-fed creeks

along the hike. Most only had a log to cross them.

This was the first we saw of the Meadow and the

dogs took right to smelling all the new things.

The Gerke family sitting down for lunch.

This is the view from the logs we sat on above.

Could do worse for a view from a lunch spot.

If you want to get to this hike take highway 26 just beyond

Govt. Camp. Turn left on highway 35 toward Hood River for 8 

miles then turn left into the Clark Creek Sno-Park sign.

The trail starts a few hundred feet up this road.

Silver Star Mountain

Silver Star Mountain is a great hike near Washougal. The 

hike is steep at times, but the views from the top are

hard to beat. Even in the dozens of hikes we have gone

on in the Gorge, Silver Star takes the cake. Even though it was

overcast and we could only see the valley it was still wonderful, 

but on a clear day you can see over 100 miles in every direction.

There were several rocks outcroppings 

along the hike that would be fun to try and climb.

This little creek was a great break a few miles

into the hike. 

The creek flows under this bridge.

Arwen was prancing through the woods

and came out with this fern attached to her.

But that wasn't going to stop her, she walked with it

for the next several minutes until it finally fell off. 

Many of the trees scattered the path. They all have

a unique curve like they came from a Dr. Seuss book. 

Finally, the summit. It sits just under 4500 feet. Again, the views

are better than any we have ever seen.

Sum on the summit.

Sum and I at the summit. Just behind us is Sturgeon Rock.

Getting ready to make camp and have some 

hot soup for lunch. It was in the mid 60's at the base of 

the mountain. At the summit however it was about 20

degrees colder and we shivered the whole time. 

Looking to the North from the summit. 

One of the many wildflowers along the hike.

If you would like to do this hike yourself here are the directions. After taking Hwy. 14 to the town of Washougal, we turned left at Milepost 16 and followed the Washougal River Road, which paralleled the river for 6.9 scenic miles. We turned left once more onto Bear Prairie Road and continued for 3.2 miles, then turned left again onto Skamania Mines Road, continuing on for 2.7 miles. The road then split (follow the left one- Road 1200) which turns into a gravel bumpy road for another 5.7 miles to Grouse Creek Vista. Keep an extra eye out for oncoming traffic as this is a pretty narrow 1.5 lane road!