HellRoaring Canyon

This hike was on my list of things to do since we did the Trout Lake Ice Caves earlier this year. I learned of this hike from the Curious Gorge book. However, I don't really consider the location of this hike in the gorge. The book lists the trailhead as 2 hours from Portland, but it's really more like 2.5 hours.  The last 10 miles is on a gravel road that is in poor shape so it takes about 35 minutes to do this part alone. It's in the Yakama Nation territory so no other pass will suffice except for paying the $5 day fee. Go past Mirror Lake and park at Bird Lake. 
This is a 5.5 mile loop hike and I recommend doing it clockwise. It's less steep this way and keeps the views of Mt Adams a surprise for the end. 
The path starts by winding back and forth over a creek with an assortment of flowers. We caught the tail end of the display of wildflowers. Curious Gorge recommends going in mid-August. About a mile in you come to Crooked Creek Falls.

Mary with Crooked Creek Falls

It's a short scramble to the top where you can go behind the falls.

Continue on the trail until you come to a junction. Take a right and continue on the Around the Mountain Trail. This will meander through a few meadows and cross a few creeks with little to no effort on your part. Views of Mt Hood and eastern Washington will improve as you continue. At the next junction, take a left onto the Trail of the Flowers. Although the sign indicates there are signs to educate you on the flowers and geological features, all we found were signs telling us to stay on the path to prevent erosion.

Looking SE

After you turn left onto the Trail of the Flowers, all you have left until Hellroaring Canyon Viewpoint is about a mile and 400 feet of elevation gain. This is the most difficult part of the hike and it is really quite easy. During our hike, clouds obscured the sight of Mt Adams, but by the time we reached our destination, the clouds parted and we were able to see perfectly.

Our destination

The Ridge of Wonder with the red cylinder called, "Little Mount Adams."

Continue clockwise to complete the loop. The trail descends quickly for about a mile. When you come to a junction, turn R and then turn L onto Bluff Lake/Bird Lake Trail.  You'll arrive at Bluff Lake quickly.

Bluff Lake

Bird Lake

After passing Bluff Lake continue the half mile back to Bird Lake where you parked. There is also camping available at this lake in addition to Mirror Lake (the one you pass while driving to Bird Lake). For our drive, we made a loop out of this as well. We got there on the Washington side of the Gorge and then returned by crossing the bridge to Hood River. This makes for a nice spot for lunch or dinner. We like to stop at Double Mountain for pizza. Take 84 all the way home!


The Hike:

• Distance: 5.5 miles RT
  
• Elevation: 1,000 feet
  
• Parking: $5