Beacon Rock State Park - Hamilton Mountain
3 weeks ago
Rocky scramble to summit, slick spots, construction
1 this month · 22 reports
Catherine Creek Loop
Southwest Washington
updated 4 months ago
The Catherine Creek Loop trail is experiencing abundant wildflower blooms, particularly balsam root, which made the Coyote Wall side crowded as of April 25. The upper trails, such as Atwood Road, offer good shade. While the lower paths like Labyrinth Trail are less crowded and provide beautiful scenery with lupines, water sources are minimal, though small streams and two waterfalls had decent flow on April 25. Bitterroot plants were observed with many buds on April 23. Hikers should be aware that mileage on the Coyote Wall side can be inaccurate in apps due to reroutes, potentially extending the loop to 13 miles as reported on April 25. Several loops exist, so carrying a map is advised, especially when parking at the upper trailhead which lacks facilities as noted on April 19.
Generated from 15 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Catherine Creek Loop
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 4 months ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 4 months, so everything below is at least that old.
Wildflowers were abundant and in their best phase in early April, with plentiful balsam root and a large variety of species reported. As of April 25, the Coyote Wall side was particularly crowded due to the balsam root, while the Catherine Creek side also had flowers, though more subtle. Bitterroot plants were observed with many buds on April 23.
The original straight path on the Coyote Wall side is blocked, leading to zigzag reroutes that add mileage as of April 25. There are also labyrinthine sections on the lower path, requiring navigation assistance like a map or trail description.
Water sources are minimal, with most streams being very tiny as of April 25. However, two waterfalls encountered on the lower path had better flow at that time.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Older4 months ago
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
Took the upper trail on a hot day. There isn't much shade on the high side, and it is a labyrinth of paths but stick mostly to the left (after crossing the footbridge) and make sure to bring any map o...
Older5 months ago
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
Started as the 4th car at 7:30, counted 55 cars by 13:30 when we finished the loop. Most of it felt quite lonely except for the coyote wall side that was very crowded, likely due to the plentiful bals...
Older5 months ago
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
After hiking Swale Canyon, we went to Catherine Creek on our way back to Maryhill SP where we are camped. We had seen a few bitterroot plants on the Universal Access Trail on Tuesday and wanted to se...
Older5 months ago
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
Wonderful meadow meandering!We parked at the upper trailhead and did the upper loop.TH:There is no bathroom at the upper trailhead.Trail:Steady grade with sweeping vistas throughout the trail. Wildflo...
Older5 months ago
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
This is a very good flower hike, in it's best phase (the thickest blooms with a large variety of species), in a very good year. The lower non-valley areas were best, especially the Catherine Creek Loo...
Older6 months ago
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
This is the perfect time of year for the gorge. Blue sky, warm breeze and flowers. The early spring flowers aren’t as showy as the balsam root and lupine that will show up in a few weeks so the crowds...
Older6 months ago
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
Hiked up to the top and back down on n this sunny beautiful day. It was about 60 degrees but in the full sun and no wind it was hot and sweaty heading up. This hike is not a typical power hike but one...
Older7 months ago
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
First, the fire closure order has been rescinded, and the trail is open.We hiked this loop clockwise, crossing the Creek near the Arch first. There is no bridge at the crossing, just some assorted pie...
Older8 months ago
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
We spent a chilly hiking day at Catherine Creek. It was 29 degrees and overcast when we started hiking.The sun was filtered by the clouds so we didn't feel much warmth from it although the air finally...
Older10 months ago
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
Since the Forest Service recently opened Catherine Creek to recreation again after the Burdoin Fire in July 2025, we hiked the Catherine Creek Arch Loop to check out the fire impacts.As soon as I got ...