3.6 hr
Overview
Larch Mountain is second in height only to Mount Hood looking west from Portland. Its distinctive profile can be seen from the many parts of the city. What's less known is that, like Mount Hood, Larch Mountain is a volcanic peak with a crater of its own, albeit very eroded and now supporting old-growth forests, ponds, bogs, and flowery meadows. In fact, Larch Mountain is the largest of the three shield volcanoes in the Boring Lava Field, a collection of more than 90 volcanoes in the Portland area that were active between 2.7 million and 57,000 years ago. The loop hike described takes you into the crater of Larch Mountain itself as well as around the greater rim and then up to the volcanic plug of Sherrard Point. This hike starts at the Larch Mountain Trailhead. Walk below the restrooms, passing a few mossy picnic tables scattered about. At a trail junction, keep left and head down the ridge on a wide trail in a dense silver fir forest. Soon you'll cross gated Road 315 blooming with rhododendron and bear-grass. Listen for the pikas who live in the rock wall that buttresses the road. (Road 315 leads out to Larch Mountain Road, where there are pullouts you can park your car.) Then continue on down past a campsite clearing with a couple of picnic tables. When you reach the junction with the Multnomah Creek Way Trail #444, turn right. Hike down in Douglas-fir, western red-cedar, western hemlock, and noble fir forest. A couple of impressive cedars stand guard at Multnomah Creek, which you'll cross on a footbridge in lush creekside growth of lady fern, salmonberry, and skunk-cabbage. Just across the bridge, you'll find Multnomah Spur Trail #446. Stay to the right, and continue on Trail #444 traveling upstream in old-growth forest. There are glimpses of Sherrard Point through the trees. A spur on the right leads to a swampy meadow in the old crater. Cotton grass, elephant’s head lousewort, bog orchid, asphodel, and paintbrush all bloom here in summer, but the meadow is waterlogged at other times of the year. There’s
Trail Stats
10.1 km
399 m
1236 m
0 m
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Photos
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