The Columbia River Gorge is one of the first areas that spring pops in Washington State. You can hike trails in The Gorge year-round, but unparalleled wildflowers and huge waterfalls make it particularly appealing in the spring. Dog Mountain is one of the more popular hikes in the Washington Gorge – and it’s easy to understand why! Between April and June, the bright yellow flowers along the ridge at the top of Dog Mountain are almost impossible to beat elsewhere in the state. Plus, you get to enjoy panoramic views of the Columbia River far down below. It’s not an easy hike. In fact, there is a fork in the trail about halfway up that offers two different options: “Difficult” and “More Difficult,” but I think any reasonably fit person could make it to the top!

For a mellow walk with a similarly impressive display of flowers try Memaloose Hills from the Memaloose Overlook on the Historic Columbia River Highway.

Distance: 6-7.5 miles (conflicting information at trail head and online)

Elevation Gain: 2800 ft.

FYI: Permits are required for use of the Dog Mountain trail system on Saturdays and Sundays between April 20 and June 16. Although given the popularity of this hike, if you can avoid doing it on a weekend I definitely would! I turned this hike into a loop hike by going up the Dog Mountain trail and then down the Augspurger Trail, so that’s a good option as well.