Phlox Point, a Good Workout and Beautiful Vistas


A good destination for a sweat-inducing hike close to the Portland area is Phlox Point.

It’s near the western end of the Columbia River Gorge, the trailhead is easily accessible, the rough-in-some-spots trail doesn’t see a lot of use, it provides a good workout (over eight miles with 2,400 feet of elevation gain), and the views along the top of Hardy Ridge are open and far-ranging.

Leaving home at 7 am, I was on the summit at 10:30 am. Due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, the views were limited but well worth the exertion.

In the springtime the summit is covered with large patches of purple/lavender spreading phlox (where the summit got its name). By early July the spring wildflowers are long gone. A few daisies were all that remained. It still made for a pleasant place to take a break, watch the ravens in flight and eat a snack.

Add this outing to your list of hiking favorites.

Devil's Club (look at those thorns!)

Devil’s Club (look at those thorns!)

Nice stretch of trail through the Hemlocks

Nice stretch of trail through the Hemlocks

Penstemon

Penstemon

Cloudy view across the Columbia River Gorge from Phlox Point

Cloudy view across the Columbia River Gorge from Phlox Point

Orange Columbine

Orange Columbine

Hazy view up the Columbia River Gorge

Hazy view up the Columbia River Gorge

Indian Pipe

Indian Pipe (Cadaver Plant)

Looking down Hardy Ridge

Looking down Hardy Ridge

Thimbleberry

Thimbleberry

A lonly trailhead parking area

A lonely trailhead parking area

 

 

 

Categories: Columbia River Gorge HikesTags: , ,

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