Читать книгу Afoot and Afield: Portland/Vancouver. A Comprehensive Hiking Guide онлайн

121 страница из 142

TRIP 8 Cold Creek Trail to Larch Mountain

Distance 12.8 miles, Out-and-back Elevation Gain 2400 feet Hiking Time 6 to 7 hours Optional Map USGS Dole, Larch Mountain Usually Open May to early November Best Time Mid-May to June Trail Use Dogs OK, mountain biking, horseback riding Agency Yacolt State Forest Difficulty Difficult

HIGHLIGHTS Located a little to the southwest of Silver Star Mountain, Larch Mountain is lower in elevation, but it features many of the same attributes of its larger neighbor: open wildflower meadows, good views, and wildlife. There are two good trails to this high point, the more interesting of which is the long climb up the valley of scenic Cold Creek.

The trails here are used mostly by mountain bikers and equestrians, but why should they have all the fun? Hikers are also welcome, and it’s high time we came to see what everybody else has kept secret. As always, be sure to give horses the right of way by stepping off the trail on the downhill side to let them pass. Motor vehicles are prohibited from most of the recommended trails, although you will cross several motorcycle tracks. Many riders seem to view the official trail restrictions as merely optional and routinely ignore the rules, so you can expect the quiet of your wilderness experience to be rudely broken by the noise of motorbikes, especially on weekends.