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May 28, 2014 www.TheReflector.com

Popular Gorge trail lures variety of hikers of all agesSteve Kadel staff reporter

Walk a shaded trail just 1.25 miles to an attrac-tive, cooling waterfall with close-up views from a rustic wooden bridge. Or keep going another 2 miles, with some significant elevation gain, to emerge in an alpine wonderland with 180 degree views of the Columbia River and a riot of flowers that demand to be photographed.

Hamilton Mountain on the Washington side of the Gorge has something for everyone, from fam-ilies with young children to mountaineers train-ing to climb one of the Cascade volcanoes. It’s 3.2 miles and 2,000 feet of uphill to the top, but no matter how much of Hamilton you bite off it’s bound to be a rewarding experience.

Wildflowers were near their peak on May 17, but the show should still be dazzling for the next couple of weeks.

Hamilton is the obvious “stairstep” mountain just north of Beacon Rock. It’s not necessary to go to the top step for views that will stop you in your tracks. A side trail about two-thirds up the mountain leads to a grassy knoll perfect for a pic-nic or simply stretching out in the sun.

Those who go all the way will enjoy an airy se-ries of exposed switchbacks on a trail lined with

rocks before re-entering woods for the final run to the summit. The rocks can be unstable and many hikers like to use trekking poles here for added stability.

As with other popular Gorge hikes, don’t expect solitude here. There will be a steady procession of hikers going up and down, but almost all are pleas-ant and will ask how you’re doing or let you pet their dog. Most folks who bring canines courteous-ly keep them leashed, which is the requirement.

The actual summit is brushy but still offers a glorious glimpse of Mount Hood and Mount Ad-ams along with Table Mountain to the east. Some hikers prefer to take a slightly longer loop trail on the way down for less impact to their knees than the steeper standard trail.

To reach the trailhead, drive east on Highway 14 through Camas and Stevenson and turn left toward the parking lot upon reaching Beacon Rock State Park. A State of Washington Discov-ery Pass is required to park at the trailhead, and if you don’t have one a day pass is sold in a near-by state park office for $10 along with the annu-al pass for $30.

Plan to arrive early on a sunny weekend if you want to find space in the lower parking lot. An overflow lot is located a little higher on the en-trance road and will add about 10 minutes to your hiking time each way. There are flush toi-lets in a stone restroom at the trailhead.

Construction starts after 7 years of planning, permit acquisitionSteve Kadel staff reporter

Those who enjoy off-road vehicles will have several miles of new trails to explore before long.

Members of the Jones Creek Trail Riders As-sociation (JCTRA) of Vancouver have been working with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the past seven years to get approval to expand the motorized trail system at Yacolt Burn State Forest.

Funding of $160,800 for permitting and con-struction has come from the state Recreation Conservation Office, said Rex Hapala, DNR’s recreation and natural areas district manager.

“This is part of the 2010 Western Yacolt Burn State Forest recreation plan done in Au-gust 2010,” he said. “It lined out a series of projects over many years and part of it is mo-torized recreation.”

Members of JCTRA are clearing trees and grubbing the area to prepare for 60-inch ATV trails and 30-inch single track trails for mo-torcycles. Another group, Pistons Wild Motor-sports, is preparing the land for 4X4 trails for jeep and truck-size vehicles.

When the three-phase project is finished, there will be 35 miles of new ATV trail, 10 miles of single-track dirt bike trail, and 30 miles of 4X4 trails, said Mike Ames, president of JCTRA. Phase one will result in 10 miles of ATV trails, two miles of single-track, and 15 miles of 4X4 trails, he said.

“We are hoping to have the first section of ATV-width trail open for public use sometime in early June,” Ames said.

However, he cautioned people against riding

the trails before they are signed as open for public use.

“Riding the trails before the surfaces are pre-pared will only increase the amount of time, money, and volunteer effort it takes to get the trails completed and open for public use,” Ames said.

Both clubs have donated money to the ef-fort. Hapala said the DNR couldn’t do the proj-ect without the clubs’ help, which includes ex-pertise by some members in operating heavy equipment.

“Our recreation program relies heavily on vol-unteers,” Hapala said. “They are great people to work with and have lots of technical exper-tise from their day jobs. It’s perfect. We’re glad we can give them the opportunity to build some new trails.”

He emphasized there’s a lot of finishing work to be done, and new trails won’t be opened to riders until an entire loop or segment is ready. Otherwise, users would run into construction areas and have to turn around, Hapala said.

“I don’t want to give a false expectation to people who want to go up next month and use it,” he said. “There is a lot of finishing work to be done.”

After vegetation and stumps are removed, drainage structures and other trail features must be added.

All of the trails are being built to dimensions specified by DNR and within the tolerances dic-tated by permits from Clark County and other agencies involved, Ames noted.

He added that JCTRA is always looking for more volunteers for work parties. The next one is scheduled Thur., May 29, through Sun., June 1.

Those interested in volunteering may register on www.jctra.org for ATV/dirt bike trails or at www.pistonswild.com for 4X4 trails.

Hamilton Mountain flowers at their best

HARDY CREEK BRIDGE provides a good look at Hamilton Mountain’s biggest waterfall just 1.25 miles from the trailhead.

Photo by Steve KadelBEACON ROCK is visible near the Columbia River from the trail just below the top of Hamilton Mountain.

Photo by Steve Kadel

May 28, 2014

New off-road-vehicle trails coming soon“Our recreation program relies heavily on volunteers.

They are great people to work with.”— Rex Hapala of the Department of Natural Resources

Photos courtesy of Mike Ames

Members of the Jones Creek Trail Riders Association broke ground May 15 for construc-tion of several miles of new ATV and dirt bike trails in Yacolt Burn State Forest. Club members are working with the Department of Natural Resources on the project. Photos courtesy of JCTRA President Mike Ames.