19 min
Overview
Whether you’re an overnight guest at the Skamania Lodge near Stevenson or just a visitor, you’re welcome to investigate a system of three loop trails that wrap themselves around an 18-hole golf course using forest paths in forest corridors as well as short stretches of paved cart path. You’ll visit a couple of secluded lakes, where you can look for birds and turtles, and get some great views to the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. An information center inside the lodge offers information about other hiking opportunities nearby. Walk down the entrance road to find the Gorge Loop Trail heading off to the right just below a smaller parking area. This is also a fitness trail with exercise stations. The trail enters a Douglas-fir forest to pass above tennis courts and then the 5th fairway. After you reach an old road, walk right for a few yards, and then go left to resume the trail. The footpath rounds the ends of the 6th and 7th fairways. The trail then undulates through a woodsy corridor above Rock Creek Drive. This area abounds with mushrooms in the fall. After you reach a paved cart path, make a left to cross the entrance road. The route then follows the sidewalk up towards the lodge with a wildflower meadow to your right. Greenleaf Peak provides a magnificent backdrop. Behind the lodge, make a right to walk along the guest drop-off lane. Passing the end of the lodge, you’ll see the golf shop and a blue sign for the Lake Loop and beyond it, an orange marker for the Creek Loop. The latter trail heads down past the golf cart garage, and bears left and then right following the orange signs. You'll take a footpath below the 2nd and 3rd fairways. A view from here takes in the Columbia River and the Benson Plateau on the Oregon side of the Gorge. The trail cuts left into a shady corridor hedged with Armenian blackberry. Foster Creek Road runs to your right. The route comes close to a private home experiencing a construction hiatus and starts up Foster Creek, also blackberry-choked, to cross a footbridge. Hi
Trail Stats
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94 m
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Photos
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