Beacon Rock State Park
Hamilton Mountain Trailhead
Popular Hikes
Rodney Falls, Hardy Falls,
Pool of the Winds
2.52 miles, out and back,
moderate, 600’ gain
Hamilton Mountain Summit
6.4 miles, out and back,
difficult, 2038’ gain
The Saddle
8.0 miles, out and back,
difficult, 2038’ gain
Hamilton Mountain
Summit Loop
via Equestrian and Hardy Creek Trails
The Hamilton Mountain Trail starts out
with spectacular douglas fir old growth at
the trailhead. Less than half a mile up
pass under powerlines and enjoy views
of Bonneville Dam. Continue nearly another mile on moderate trail and arrive
at Rodney Falls, Hardy Falls and Pool of
the Winds.
Or, turn left on Hardy Creek Trail to reach the summit more gradually.
In 1.3 miles turn right on the multiuse Equestrian Trail reaching the The
Saddle at 2,100’ after a little over a mile. Rejoin the Hamilton Mountain
Trail and hike .8 miles further to the summit at 2,438’. Enjoy expansive
panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge formed by the basalt
flows and floods which swept the area over the past 15 million years, as
well as surrounding Cascade peaks, Bonneville Dam, Beacon Rock, Table
Mountain, and Hardy Ridge.
via Don’s Cuttoff, Upper Hardy
and Hardy Creek Trails
8.26 miles, difficult, 2038’ gain
Hamilton Mountain trail.
Foot traffic only
Backcountry camping prohibited
from Pool of the Winds.
For those seeking the Hamilton
Mountain summit, cross the bridge in
front of Rodney Falls and continue a
quarter mile to the intersection with
Hardy Creek Trail. At this point, there
are two routes to the summit. Either stay
right on the Hamilton Mountain Trail,
which is the most direct and steep route,
reaching the summit in 1.7 miles, hike
through exposed cliff areas abound with
wildflowers in spring and summer.
7.87 miles, difficult, 2038’ gain
Trails open 8AM-Dusk
Looking down at Rodney Falls
Alternatively, instead of
taking the Equestrian
Trail the entire way to
The Saddle, take Upper
Hardy Trail .74 miles,
then take Don’s Cutoff
Trail through a beautiful
dark section of forest rejoining the Equestrian
Trail in a little over a half
mile, from here it is In
less than a quarter mile
to The Saddle.
