WESTERN WASHINGTON

Summary

---

Find stunning views of the Columbia River valley and frequent Mt Hood sightings on this pleasant trail through oak groves and meadows between stunning basalt formations.

Trail Stats

---

Trail Details

---

One bright and sunny morning we hit the Coyote Wall trail. Ironically, the best views of the Coyote Wall are pretty much from the parking lot and start of the trail. It’s a massive, sheer basalt wall that stretches along the road and quite a ways back behind the parking area. There are trails that will take you directly up along the wall, but we had a longer loop in mind. We would however, come down along the top of the wall much later in the day. 

Starting out, you’ll walk along old HWY 8, which follows along the cliffs and is just off HWY 14. As it’s directly below the cliffs, the road is decorated with some rather impressive boulders and rocks that have fallen from said cliffs over the years. Watch for falling rocks I suppose. No one needs a big ole dent in their noggin to start their day. 

You’ll pass an offshoot trail or two heading uphill. Ignore these until you come across the Labyrinth trail. Turn here and depart the road onto a single track trail heading uphill. Here we ran into a friendly gentleman and his two overly curious and friendly dogs. I’m by no means anti dog. I’ve had dogs. I adored one of them. The other drove me nuts. We had a love hate relationship. That being said I don’t like random dogs up in my business. Keep your drool to yourself and your nose out of my personal spaces. And do NOT lick me. My last dog knew that one. She’d once in a while sneak in a stealth slurp across my flesh, all the while knowing she was going to get yelled at and chased off. Stinker. So gross. I KNOW where that tongue has been.  I swear she was proud of herself for sneaking one in every once in awhile. These dogs slimed the tar out of my legs. Lovely. Yuck. But they were quite nice dogs otherwise. 

Shortly onto Labyrinth, the trail splits. Keep right to remain on Labyrinth. You’ll pass a large burnt out tree trunk. Note there are quite a few charred trees from past fires. It’ll be the theme of the day. Fire gutted trees. Loads of dead trees. There’s also a small creek that you’ll walk past. 

About 1 mile into the trail we found a cave! My cat and I love caves. This one is tiny and only goes back a short distance. We let Lucille out of her pack to explore. She was just about the happiest kitten on the planet, clear up until we made her leave. She would have been happy as a clam in there all day, sniffing rocks and chilling. 

Around 1.3 miles into the trail you’ll come across Labyrinth creek, complete with Labyrinth waterfall. There are loads of squirrels here. Pretty little spot. The trail will take you up above this waterfall. Somewhere around here we noted what appeared to be poison oak. Having already encountered more than our fair share of this decidedly wretched plant this year, we were overly cautious in avoiding it. Nasty stuff. 

Around 1.5 miles in we passed over the creek on a wood plank and then continued to follow the creek uphill. We passed through a rocky section followed by a tiny treed valley. 

Around 1.8 miles in, there’s an offshoot trail that leads to a viewpoint. After visiting this, we continued up. Once you crest the hill you’ll be rewarded with stellar views of Mt Hood. You’ll see this volcano off and on all day long. The trail continues to wrap up among the hills for a steep, albeit brief section. 

Along the top, there’s a picture perfect lunch spot. A tree with a trunk perfect for two rear ends to rest upon and enjoy what this world has to offer. Granted, we passed on the opportunity as it was way too early in the day and the hike for lunch. 

Next up is a Y in the trail, take a right and head downhill. You’ll cross a meadow on a hillside before ambling up a steep hillside with way to much poison oak along the path. Pass through a gulch filled with dead trees standing like silent sentry’s as you pass. 

Follow the path as it leads you up and down through meadows. You’ll pass through more burnt out trees before heading back into a meadow with small switchbacks in the trail. Then it’s back into the trees. Somewhere in here I noted the trail simply smells like hot dirt. If you don’t immediately know what I’m saying, you need to spend more time outside. The smell is reminiscent of my childhood summers, spent outside amongst the trees and meadows of our property. Northern Idaho summers are warm and if you spend part of the day laying in a meadow staring at the clouds pass by or building forts in the woods you’d certainly know that hot dirt smell. Plus, we weren’t allowed back inside for the majority of the day. So theres that. Outside is good for you. 

We exited the trees into a talus filled old lava bed where the path winds down through the lava rock for a bit before it has you walk along a gulley. 

You’ll hit a split in the trail again, we headed uphill to the left with our goal of reaching the Catherine Creek Arch Trailhead. Went straight through a rock field. 

Eventually the trail Y’s, we headed right toward the Catherine Creek Arch trailhead. As we walked along, we noted a lovely vineyard across the Columbia river. Quite the difference opposite the river as you’ll be walking through more burnt trees. 

At the split in the trail, head right for the Catherine Creek Arch trailhead. Once you’ve arrived, theres a port-o-loo across the road if needed. If not, head up the trail (it goes to the right of the parking area). You’ll walk along a dirt road, heading away from the Columbia. There’s a split in the trail ahead. As this section is a tiny loop it doesn’t really matter which way you head. We chose to head left and continued following the road. 

Passed a dry creek. Afterward the trail splits again, keep right. After that, there’s a creek to cross. Here is where tragedy struck for poor Lucille. It was a hot day with relatively sparse shade. Lucille was hot. And here was a nice cold flowing creek. Guess who got doused? Generally she’s pretty good about getting wet. But, this time she protested. Yowled like we were killing her and then glared at us for a bit. Silly cat. Got her towel nice and wet to keep her cool too. She was not particularly appreciative this go around. But at least she wouldn’t overheat and I didn’t have to sacrifice my own water to cool her down. Not so surprisingly, this was Catherine creek. 

After Lucille’s brief bath, we passed through a refreshing section of living trees. Which was remarkable as we’d mostly been hiking through dead ones all day. 

Soon we came across a fenced off section. Behind here lays the Catherine Creek Arch. I found it underwhelming. You can’t get close at all and the view from the bottom is lousy. We wandered into the field behind us in attempt for a better view. Doug swore it was better over there. I remained unconvinced. Ah well. 

After looking around for a bit, and then checking our legs to make sure we hadn’t picked up any ticks or other less than ideal hitchhikers, we were off again. The trail continue along the road which follows the rocky hillside before it curves around and heads up above the rocks. The trail splits a few times around here. Keep right for the loop trail. 

Cross under some power lines and keep going. Atop the hill, the trail comes to a T. We headed right. Here you’ll have views of the Columbia and Mt Hood again. Keep trucking. Ahead theres another fenced off section. Behind this is the arch, only this time from above. Inconveniently, this fence makes it so you can’t even glimpse the arch. One would need to be naughty and climb over anyway OR be in possession of a long pole or selfie stick to see the arch. They should build a viewing platform here as it’s quite obvious which choice most people have made. At least then they’d have better control of where people go to see the arch. 

Regardless of seeing the arch or not, the views of Mt Hood are superb here. Continue along the path as it heads down. You’ll turn left toward a bridge before heading uphill to pop back out near the trailhead parking for Catherine Creek. 

From here we walked back up the hill we originally came in on via a wide path. A ways up the trail we plopped down on two firewood rounds that had conveniently been placed on a hill just off the trail. Great spot for lunch, which we enjoyed immensely. Lucille partook of her Churu as well. 

After our respite, it was back on the trail, retracing our steps from earlier in the day. This area is quite exposed and was consequently quite hot as we marched uphill. You’ll crest a hill before the trail splits. Earlier in the day we came in on the left path, the Labyrinth-Bitterroot Connector trail. Now, we would head right to stay on the Bitterroot trail, which started at the Catherine Creek parking area, and explore a new route. 

The trail took us up a rocky slope where you’ll frequently walk across fist sized rocks. Lovely experience. Great for testing out your ankles. Luckily it’s a brief section.

Soon we had a view down to the old lava flow we’d  crossed through earlier in the day. This was fantastic in that we could get a clear visual on just how big this flow was. Quite impressive to look at as we continued up along the top of the basalt columns lining the flow. To the left of us (and rather a far ways down) was the lava flow and to the right was a gorgeous meadow. 

Up ahead we could see power lines. We continued walking up along the meadow, hugging the edge of the cliffs for a while. After a bit, the trail T’s, near a power pole. We headed left and immediately started downhill. Within a few brief paces, we were immersed in the shade of the living trees. And within a few more paces we were paying for it in the form of poison oak and bugs. So many bugs to swat away. There’s a lot of vegetation through here, making it difficult to tell if we accidentally got into the poison oak that was interspersed with all the other plants. Especially while hastening through to avoid the bugs while flailing arms around in a desperate attempt to keep them off me. Must have looked like a lunatic. 

The trail takes you down into a dry gulch where you’ll walk across a plank to cross the “creek”. Here you’ll immediately head uphill and back in the general direction of the Columbia river. There’s less vegetation on this side of the gulch, making it easier to avoid noxious plants. And, as the bugs are relentless in their pursuit of your flesh, your ascent will be hastened. Doug termed this one “bullsh*t alley”. Can tell how he felt about it. 

Once you reach the top of this gulch and enter the sun, the bugs relented. Thank heavens. From here we headed up a very dry ridge line with some trees. Poison oak does dot the ridge so be aware as you pass through. 

When we came to a signed split in the trail, we headed right. And headed up the ridge line some more. Passed through oak trees and baby oak trees with that infernal poison oak mixed in off and on. The trail is steep here. You will go straight up the ridge. 

Once you reach the top of the ridge the trail intersects with Atwood Road. We turned left. Right will take you back to the Catherine Creek area. There are phenomenal views as you walk along up here. We saw a tugboat and barge on the Columbia. 

Walked through meadows dotted with oak trees and Ponderosa Pine. As soon as you enter the trees again, watch out for the poison oak. Went into a lovely oak and Ocean Spray filled gulch. The road into it was a little overgrown but on the far side of the gulch it was wide and clear once again. 

Wandered through a field. Came across a signed junction. To the left is Upper Labyrinth trail. We kept right to stay on Atwood Road. Entered another oak grove. Once we exited the grove we were greeted with outstanding views of Mt Hood again. It never gets old seeing these majestic snow covered peaks. 

From here you’ll walk through a meadow, leading into the next gulch. With a creek flowing down it. This one has a bridge crossing. Immediately after crossing the bridge we had a rattlesnake snark at us. This sucker was relatively big and eventually slithered off down the hill once Doug had passed. I waited until it was calmed down and on the move away from us before passing by. I always thought snakes loved the sun but I keep coming across them in shaded cooler areas. Perhaps it was hunting or trying for an afternoon nap? 

After the rattler encounter, we continued to head uphill. Atwood Road eventually intersects with Old Ranch Road. At the junction we headed left onto Old Ranch Road. From here you’ll head into a clearing where we headed left in a downward direction toward a gigantic oak tree. Stop to admire this beauty. It is enormous and it’s limbs span an impressive distance. One of the more fantastic trees in the area. 

After our oak tree you’ll continue downhill through a meadow. Came across a signed junction. Stay right for the traverse for Coyote Wall. From here you’ll walk through what seems to be an endless meadow before heading up through a small oak grove. Here we completely ticked off a resident squirrel who chirped at us as we passed through. 

Now there will be a slow and gradual ascent. The trail switchbacks up under the power lines. There are stunning views of the Columbia valley, looking east. You can see clear to the flatlands. 

After a bit, you’ll come to another junction. The road to the right is currently closed. We headed left to maintain our destination. Maybe 50 feet up the road you’ll divert off the road onto a single track to the left.

Soon you’ll climb up a grassy knoll before coming to a signed intersection. Unfortunately the sign is no longer standing and is lying on the ground, making it a guessing game as to which each trail is. We headed left and within a few paces turned right and headed uphill. 

On this path there’s loads of Basalmroot. These plants take about 10 years to establish into gorgeous yellow sunflower like flowers that bloom earlier in the spring. The hillside is covered in them, which is truly remarkable. 

Up here there are fantastic views of the Coyote Wall. You’re technically on top of the wall and can look WAY down if you choose and also view the wall as it spreads across the land. It’s quite lovely and provided a most excellent spot to stop for a snack. 

From here we took the path down along the Coyote Wall. For a while, the path follows relatively close to the wall before diverting away from the wall and into the meadows along the hillsides we were traversing. Now you’ll enter into some ridiculously long switchbacks, which I determined to be dumb. Doug is inclined to believe this section of trail was developed with bikers in mind. Perhaps so, but I maintain they were excessively long switchbacks. 

Eventually we crossed back over to the hill housing Coyote Wall and walked back into the mostly dead trees. Passed through an ivy covered hillside before the trail once again gently wound down a meadow covered hillside. This section has the easiest grade known to man. The worst of knees could handle this one. I nearly died of impatience. 

At the next signed junction, we had had more than enough of our knee friendly path and headed right onto Little Moab Trail. Left will continue to gradually take you down the hill. Little Moab simply gets the job done and down we went. Much better. Plus, we were once again walking along the Coyote Wall edge, which was much better than aimlessly meandering through that infuriating meadow. 

When we reached the next junction, we headed right and headed down a wide path. Passed through a section of giant boulders and rocks before coming across another signed junction and once again heading right. Generally speaking, the goal now is to simply arrive back down to Old HWY 8. Choose your own route. We simply kept heading right. 

Once we popped back out on Old HWY 8, we once again turned right and headed back to the parking lot where we had nice cold drinks waiting for us. 

Overall we thoroughly enjoyed this hike. Granted, we took a strange and round about way of exploring the area. While there were certainly people out on the trails, we found this to be a surprisingly unpopular trail. We encountered far fewer people on the trails than expected. And only one snake, so not bad. Plus, the views of the Columbia River and Mt Hood are unbeatable. Relative solitude and fantastic views? What could be better?

---