Dog Mountain Wildflower Hike: 6 miles, 2800' up & down

Dog Mountain hike on Friday weather update: 70 deg F and hopefully the rain will hold-off til after our hike. 🌞 Come on out for great exercise and maybe spot some early Spring wild flowers, including the beautiful and elusive wild Trillium.

Please read all of the instructions below so that we all know the plan. Luck favors the prepared.

Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2800 feet
Pace: 1.5 mph (~1 mph up, 2 mph down)
Hike Time: 5 hr (+/-)
Rating: Moderate-strenuous
Trailhead (TH): Dog Mountain, WA.
Parking Fee: Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent, $10 (credit card only) can be paid at the TH.

Time-line:
8:30am Meet in Compass Coffee, Washougal to carpool
9:00am Carpool to Trailhead (TH)
10:00am Meet at Dog Mountain TH
3:00pm Complete hike
4:00pm Back at carpool location
4:00pm Post-hike beer/food at Trap Door Brewery (optional)

Carpool: Meet at Compass Coffee. Riders: bring $10 cash or Venmo/PayPal for gas, parking & expenses of an~ 80 mile round-trip. Anyone willing to drive for the carpool will get priority to join the hike from the waitlist.

Below the coffee shop is an underground free public parking lot. Additionally, there is a larger, free parking lot at the nearby Pendleton Store. Please meet me inside the coffee shop. Breakfast/bathrooms available there. We will leave Washougal at 9:00am.

Packing List:

• Water (at least 1 liter)
• Hiking shoes/boots, good tread
• Snacks/lunch
• Backpack w/ 1st aid kit (gauze, ace bandages, etc.)
• Light-weight clothing (weather dependent)
• $10 cash/Venmo/PayPal for carpool riders (mandatory)
• Anything you want to share with others

Clothing: There is a very high likelihood of warm sunshine so bring cool, light-weight gear with a warm layer for before/after the hike. There is no such thing as bad weather only bad gear--I think REI taught me that.

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/dog-mountain
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/dog-mountain-trail

Safety: This trail is very steep, rocky and can be an ankle/knee twister. Consider your personal health, cardiovascular fitness level and hiking ability before signing up for this hike. Bring appropriate shoes and gear for hiking.

• Always a good practice to be equipped with The 10 essentials during hikes: 1.Navigation 2.Nutrition 3.Hydration 4.Insulation 5.Illumination 6.First aid 7.Sun protection 8.Emergency shelter 9.Tool/repair kits 10.Fire kit

Completing a safe hike for everyone is my highest priority. I usually hike about 1.5 mph but change speeds depending on the group. We will always stay together--do not lose sight of the other hikers in our group at any time. If someone has a problem hiking, needs help with an obstacle or sustains an injury I expect everyone to offer help especially for the hikers nearest to you. Stronger hikers should always assist slower hikers, not leave them behind. I reserve the right to remove anyone from the hike at any time based on their fitness level, vulnerability to sustaining an injury, willingness to stay with the group, negative attitude or any other problem identified by me. I will always tell you honestly why you can't go on the hike

If you are on the going list, and decide to cancel, please change your RSVP to "Not going" ASAP. If you sign up but do not show up you will be marked as a "no-show". Please don't take a spot from someone else and then not go.

Disclaimer: Hike leaders are volunteers doing their best to make the hike a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, but assume no liability for any loss, damage or injury during the event or getting to or back from the event. Each member is required to read and approve the waiver when agreeing to become a member and are completely responsible for their own safety and well-being.