Summer’s over, sunsets are dipping under the 7:00 mark, and the local REI has moved its backpacking section to the back of the store to make way for winter.

Bonneville Trailhead provides PCT access on the Washington side of the Columbia River

But, far from saying farewell to the hiking season around here, we’ve moved into the sweet spot. There’s good weather left. The crowds have thinned. This is the window, in some alpine areas, in which the last snow has finally melted from the trails before the first fall snows arrive.

So get off the couch, lace up your hiking shoes, and get on the trail.

Here are some of my picks while the season lasts:

Goat Rocks Wilderness
Tucked away in Washington’s Gifford Pinchot National Forest, this is one of my all-time favorite areas to hike. September is generally a great time to go. Even in late August and early September you are likely to encounter stretches of trail underneath snow. Do Snowgrass Flats, Goat Lake, and Hawkeye Point for a great weekend backpacking experience. (Forest Service Map: Goat Rocks and Tatoosh Wilderness)

Columbia River Gorge
There are more great fall hikes in the Gorge than you can shake a stick at. Try the Pacific Crest Trail going either direction from the Columbia River. If you go north, you will get to Table Mountain (and see some pretty lakes along the way). Go south, and you will reach Wahtum Lake, or you can head down the very steep Ruckle Creek or Eagle-Benson trails. This area is great for creating a custom-made hike. (Green Trails: #429 Bonneville Dam)
If you’re in killer shape, you can try on Columbia River to Mount Defiance for size (Green Trails: #430 Hood River). When you reach the top you’ll have (besides aching legs and sweat-drenched clothes) spectacular views of the Gorge and Mount Hood from an elevation of over 4000 feet, almost every inch of which you’ll have had to gain yourself.

Mt. Hood
As with Goat Rocks, late September/early October is a great time to explore high elevations around Mt. Hood without heaps of snow. In case you haven’t seen it lately, Mount Hood is now nearly bald. Streams that must be forded along the Timberline Trail ought to be relatively low.
There are some nice, less strenuous hikes near Mt. Hood as well. Try Timothy Lake (Green Trails: #493 High Rock); the trail looping around the lake offers (what else?) nice views of a very pretty lake, but also, in places, of Mt. Hood. The trail on the eastern shore of the lake is part of the Pacific Crest Trail. Overall, trail is easy and relatively civilized, and there are some nice campsites accessible only to hikers and boaters on the north shore of the lake, far from the campgrounds for car campers and RVers. October on a weekday is a good time to go, as the bulk of the crowds will be gone.

There are many more hikes perfect for fall hiking, but I’ll stop there. No matter where you go, prepare to battle the air force, so bring lots of bug repellent.

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