Spectacular views of the Cascade Range from Chinidere Mountain above Walupt Lake
Chinidere Mountain south of Hood River is three hours and 180 miles from the Tri-Cities.
It’s well worth the trip.
The view from the top is described in numerous books as one of the finest and most spectacular viewpoints that can be experienced in the Oregon Cascades.
My wife Nancy and I led an Intermountain Alpine Club (IMAC) hike to the top of Chinidere on July 22.
The trailhead is at the national forest campground at Wahtum Lake — a favorite resting spot for backpackers and Pacific Crest Trail hiker’s. The trail from Wahtum Lake connects to the PCT and to a network of gorge trails. You can park along the road and start hiking right behind the “wilderness entry” trailhead sign.
We chose to do the clockwise route and begin hiking by descending down 250 hand-made log- and rock-filled steps to meet up with the PCT, which you then follow around the lake. Stay to the right — the left trail goes into the Eagle Creek drainage, which was closed due to a fire started July 4 weekend.
In four-tenths of a mile, the trail begins a steady climb through a classic forest of mature noble fir, mountain hemlock and white pine; it gradually rises above the beautiful blue-green lake. At 1.2 miles, you hit a trail junction — take the left for 200 feet, then make a right turn at the Chinidere Mountain Trail sign. This trail climbs through several switchbacks in the forest and then opens up, coming out of the trees just below the rocky top of the mountain. Carefully scramble up the rocky talus and, voila, you are at the top.
On a clear day, in one sweeping 360-degree circle, you can see the high plains of eastern Oregon and Washington, the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood, Three Finger Jack, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier and a suite of other mountains and ridges. To the west, you can gaze down into the Eagle Creek drainage. The wildflowers at the top of the mountain were beautiful.
Wahtum Lake is below, and the rugged peaks of the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness Area are all around you. To the east is the rocky ridge of Tomlike Mountain. Indian Mountain is to the south, and Tanner Butte lies in the west. The Benson Plateau occupies the basin view to the north.
If you are lucky, one amazing flower you can find growing along the Chinidere Mountain trail is the Columbia Lily — Lilium columbianum. This stunning yellow spotted wildflower, native to western North America, was almost five inches across. This identification was kindly verified by Mark Turner, author of the book Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest and creator of the amazing site www.pnwflowers.com.
It’s a great spot to take lunch and, once you’ve had your fill, head back down to the trail junction and make a left. The trail goes 1.4 miles through forested land, gradually dropping as it curves back around Walupt Lake, which glistens and shimmers cool and blue as you get closer to the shore.
Once you get to the lake, there’s a delightful resting spot where you can sit by the water or take a swim. Then it’s back up the stairs to the campground and the cars.
Check the weather and depending on the forecast bring rain gear, dry shoes and clothes for the ride home, as well as the normal 10 essentials, lunch and plenty of water.
For more information http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Chinidere_Mountain_Hike
Paul Krupin is an avid local hiking enthusiast, retired environmental specialist and member of the Intermountain Alpine Club (IMAC). He has been hiking the trails of the Pacific Northwest since 1976. At least once a month, he leads a free hike to one of the local area trails. Find out more at the Intermountain Alpine Club (IMAC) Facebook or Meetup pages. He can be reached at pjkrupin@gmail.com.
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If you go
From Hood River, head south on Highway 281 for 11.3 miles. Turn right at Dee Junction, cross the East Fork of the Hood River and in 0.2 miles go left at a junction onto Lost Lake Road. Then go 15.3 miles on Lost Lake Road, and NF-13 to NF-1310. It’s paved the whole way; 380-mile round trip from Tri-Cities.
Start point: Wahtum Lake Trailhead
High Point: Chinidere Mountain (4,673 feet elevation), with a 1,140-foot gain
Distance: 4.4 miles round trip or loop trail
Difficulty: Moderate (DH-3)
Crowded: Peak summer weekends
Note: National Forest Pass required. Dogs on leash OK. Rest room facilities in the campground. Nearest services are in Odell and Parkdale.
This story was originally published July 29, 2017 at 5:07 PM with the headline "Spectacular views of the Cascade Range from Chinidere Mountain above Walupt Lake."