Dog Mountain facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dog Mountain
Columbia River Gorge from Dog Mountain
Highest point
Elevation	2,948 ft (899 m)  NGVD 29
Prominence	1,148 ft (350 m)
Geography
Dog Mountain Location in Washington (state)
Location	Skamania County, Washington, U.S.
Parent range	Cascade Range
Topo map	USGS Mount Defiance

Dog Mountain is a tall peak in Washington state. It stands proudly on the north side of the Columbia River Gorge. This mountain is in Skamania County. It's about 9 miles (14 km) east of Stevenson. From its base, Dog Mountain climbs steeply. It goes from 150 feet (46 meters) all the way up to 2,948 feet (899 meters)!

Dog Mountain: A Great Hike!

Dog Mountain is well-known for its fun hiking trail. The trail starts on the north side of Route 14. It's about 6 miles (9.7 km) long. The path winds through thick forests. It then opens up into beautiful meadows.

The Trail's Path

The first part of the trail is quite steep. After about half a mile (0.8 km), the trail splits. It forms two different paths. Both of these paths meet up again at the very top of the mountain.

A Look Back: The Fire Lookout

At the summit, you can find the spot where a fire lookout once stood. This lookout was built in 1931. It was rebuilt in 1952. Its job was to watch for forest fires. These fires could happen across the river in Oregon's Mount Hood National Forest. By 1967, new ways of watching for fires came along. Airplanes and cars made the lookout less needed. So, it was taken down.

What You'll See on the Trail

Hiking Dog Mountain offers amazing sights. You can see wide views of the Columbia River Gorge. You might also spot Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens. In May, the mountain is especially colorful. Many different wildflowers bloom then.

Some of the beautiful flowers you might see include:

• Chocolate lily
• Woodland star
• Fairy slipper
• Hookspur violet
• Yellow fawn lily
• Balsamroot
• Columbia kittentails

Staying Safe and Prepared

It's important to be careful when hiking Dog Mountain. The slopes can be very steep. Some parts of the trail can be tricky. Always wear good hiking boots. Being prepared helps you have a safe and fun trip.

Trail Rules and Fees

The Dog Mountain trail is open all year. Hikers are welcome, and dogs can come too. Just make sure your dog is on a leash! In winter, the top parts of the trail might have snow.

Some activities are not allowed on the trail. You cannot ride horses or mountain bikes here. The trail is also not suitable for wheelchairs.

Starting in spring 2018, there are small fees to hike the trail. These fees are usually 1 or 2 dollars. Parking at the bottom of the mountain needs a Northwest Forest Pass. If you ride the shuttle bus, you don't have to pay the permit fee. You can get passes from many places in Oregon and Washington.

Images for kids

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  Columbia River Gorge from Dog Mountain