Trip Report
Bonneville Dam to the shadow of Table Mountain (Columbia River)
Fun day exploring a relatively short stretch of the PCT!
Nancy Lloyd
- Wed, Mar 30, 2022
- Table Mountain (Columbia River)
- Day Hiking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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Most of the trails we followed are in good shape, just a few easily passed blowdowns and muddy spots. One 0.2 mile stretch of the Aldrich Butte cutoff is unmaintained and narrow but doable.
Plenty of parking and good restrooms. Close to the Bonneville Dam Visitor Center.
This was an exploration trip with the Mazamas (our sister organization in Portland). We started at the Bonneville Trailhead and Tamanous trail to connect with the PCT and eventually connected with the Aldrich Butte trail. The day started cloudy with light drizzle, but ended with warm sunshine and nice views of Table Mountain and the Columbia River Gorge. Trees were blooming and wildflowers just beginning, such as Trilliums and Fairy Slippers (Calypso Orchids). We covered a little over 12 miles rt and gained 1,700'.
Overall, a very enjoyable day out in an area seldom visited by us folks "up north"!
Table Mountain:
Gillette Lake with Hamilton Mountain in the background (upper right):
