Columbia River Gorge

Early summer provides an excellent opportunity for hiking in the Columbia River Gorge. Aim for a day with minimal wind and abundant sunshine. Add in the challenge of summiting two mountains and you’re in for a rewarding, albeit strenuous, day. Locals often refer to this particular trek as the “Auggie-Doggie” hike, a nod to the summits of both Augspurger and Dog Mountains.

If you are looking for similar adventures, two other hikes in the area offer comparable experiences:

1. Starvation Ridge – Mount Defiance loop hike
2. Wyeth – Green Point Mountain loop hike

These three hikes all share similar characteristics, with each being at least 12 miles in length and featuring a 5,000-foot elevation gain.

Augspurger Mountain

The trailhead begins at the base of Dog Mountain. Hike north on the Augspurger Trail. After 2.7 miles, you’ll gain about 2,100 feet in elevation, reaching the backside of Dog Mountain. If you turn right, the summit of Dog Mountain is a little over a mile away. However, turning left, the trail descends 500 feet into a small valley separating Dog and Augspurger Mountains. The route then follows an old road for a while before connecting to a trail that steeply ascends the eastern side of Augspurger Mountain to the ridge crest.

The trail heads north along the open, flower-covered ridge, offering breathtaking views of the Columbia River Gorge and the surrounding area. Two more miles brings you to the 3,700-foot summit of Augspurger Mountain, which is somewhat disappointing as it’s obscured by trees with no views.

Next, hike back down the ridge to the valley between the two mountains, and begin the 1.5-mile ascent to the 2,900-foot summit of Dog Mountain. From late spring to early summer, balsamroot and other wildflowers paint the open meadows with a vibrant array of golds, reds, whites, and purples, creating a truly spectacular sight.

At the summit, while taking a well-deserved break, reflect that the hike has already covered over 12 miles with 5,500 feet of elevation gain. After enjoying the summit views, it’s time to pack up and begin the three-mile, 2,900-foot steep descent on the mountain’s south side. If you’re lucky, stretches of the trail will be adorned with wild orchids in bloom.

As the old fisherman said: Days like these are not subtracted from your time on Earth.