The Coyote Wall-Labyrinth Loop is a 7.7-mile (1,200' gain) hike that offers great views of the Columbia River Gorge along with enchanting stands of oak, cascading waterfalls, basalt cliffs, and profuse wildflowers in the spring. Often sunny here while raining in town, it is a great place to hike while waiting for snow to melt at higher elevations.
The Coyote Wall Trailhead is located 1.5 hours east of Portland, crossing to the Washington side of the Gorge via the Hood River toll bridge and following Highway 14 to Bingen. For a more scenic route, take Highway 14 all the way from Vancouver.
The trailhead provides access to an extensive trail network (bring a map!) suited for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The loop hike begins with a walk along an old highway to the Labyrinth Trail. Start: 10:30am.
For the next two miles, the trail weaves up though grassy plateaus, a creek with cascades and a waterfall, rocky protrusions, talus slopes, and dramatic views of the Gorge. The weather was perfect with less wind than usual.
At the top of the loop, the Upper Labyrinth Trail breaks out onto a grassy slope with unhindered views of the Columbia River. This time of year, there is a steady progression of wildflowers, including yellow balsam root. Beware, however, of rattlesnakes and poison oak on the path.
Turning left on the Atwood Road Trail, an abandoned road travels back into a grove of trees, drops slightly to cross a stream, then goes uphill to join an old Jeep road. Snowy Mt. Hood can be seen across the Gorge. **Side note from Aunt Judy: from here, follow the Upper Coyote Wall Traverse Trail to climb to an open field of wildflowers. I was trying to follow too many sets of directions and missed the turn.
At this point, the trek descends a grassy incline. Two miles later, before crossing through a gap in a barb-wire fence, it is worth taking the side trail to the right to peer over the top of Coyote Wall’s 300' rocky cliff.
Returning to the Jeep road, the path zigzags all the way down to the old highway and trailhead. End: 1:45pm.
The trailhead provides access to an extensive trail network (bring a map!) suited for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The loop hike begins with a walk along an old highway to the Labyrinth Trail. Start: 10:30am.
For the next two miles, the trail weaves up though grassy plateaus, a creek with cascades and a waterfall, rocky protrusions, talus slopes, and dramatic views of the Gorge. The weather was perfect with less wind than usual.
At the top of the loop, the Upper Labyrinth Trail breaks out onto a grassy slope with unhindered views of the Columbia River. This time of year, there is a steady progression of wildflowers, including yellow balsam root. Beware, however, of rattlesnakes and poison oak on the path.
Turning left on the Atwood Road Trail, an abandoned road travels back into a grove of trees, drops slightly to cross a stream, then goes uphill to join an old Jeep road. Snowy Mt. Hood can be seen across the Gorge. **Side note from Aunt Judy: from here, follow the Upper Coyote Wall Traverse Trail to climb to an open field of wildflowers. I was trying to follow too many sets of directions and missed the turn.
At this point, the trek descends a grassy incline. Two miles later, before crossing through a gap in a barb-wire fence, it is worth taking the side trail to the right to peer over the top of Coyote Wall’s 300' rocky cliff.
Returning to the Jeep road, the path zigzags all the way down to the old highway and trailhead. End: 1:45pm.
