3.6 hr
Overview
Beginning at the less crowded Equestrian Trailhead in Beacon Rock State Park, this loop takes you on old logging roads and foot trails to the two main summits in the park, Hamilton Mountain and Phlox Point on Hardy Ridge, the latter actually 470 feet higher than the former. There's substantial elevation gain here as the course of Hardy Creek forms an abyss between the two. The loop avoids the most crowded part of the park, however, at Rodney Falls and Hardy Falls. You can even add a little distance if you want by taking the trails north from the Hamilton Mountain Saddle to loop down to Hardy Creek (see the Upper Hardy Creek Loop Hike). It is often possible to do this loop during the winter, but depending upon snow cover, you may have to skip the tricky ascent to Phlox Point if the tread is icy and the east wind is howling. Behind the information kiosk at the Equestrian Trailhead, there’s a gated road and, to its right, a trail marked “Equestrian Trailhead.” Take either one – they come together in short order, and you’ll be following the gravel road up below a talus slope in Douglas-fir/hemlock forest with a sword fern and Oregon grape understory. A rip-rap buttressed section of road is where a slide took away the tread many years ago. After crossing a couple of creeks, the road levels on an alder bench and curves uphill to pass over another plunging creek. At the four-way Equestrian-West Hardy Ridge-Lower Loop Trail Junction, keep straight. (You will be coming back to this spot to complete the loop as described.) Turn into the Hardy Creek drainage, and keep gently rising, getting glimpses across to Hamilton Mountain through the alders. This is a mixed slope forest of Douglas-fir, hemlock, maple, alder, and wild cherry. Keep straight again at the Equestrian-East Hardy Ridge-Lower Loop Trail Junction. The trail begins to descend the slope as Hamilton Mountain looms above. Soon, you’ll cross the huge culvert at Hardy Creek and reach the Equestrian-Hardy Creek Trail Junction, where there’s a picnic table and t
Trail Stats
0.0 km
1068 m
0 m
0 m
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