Update: Jan 29, 2012: A severe ice storm on Jan 20th, 2012 has devestated the entire Wind Mt. Trail and it is impassible for all but the most experienced off-trial hikers. It is also dangerous due to hundreds of uprooted large trees across the trail and much ice and snow.

Wind Mountain is the near perfect cone-shaped sentinel a couple miles west of the more popular Dog Mountain on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. The river narrows dramatically at this point and the prevailing westerlies are squeezed and accelerated as they blow upriver, resulting in the near constant wind that gives the mountain its name.

The trail is not on most maps and is relatively short, by gorge standards, but is nevertheless a rewarding and moderately challenging hike. The views of Dog Mountain to the east are as good as it gets and the summit offers unparalleled views downstream. Looking across the river, great views of Wind Mountain's twin, Shellrock Mountain, and also Mt. Defiance, are available.

About .4 miles up the trail there is a viewpoint that offers fine views to the east. This spur trail is steep and slippery but worth the trouble, in my opinion. Be careful on the ridge: The rock is mossy in places and very slippery when wet.

At the summit, numerous Indian pits are preserved as well as several terraces made by native Americans for ritual purposes. There is a sign near the top of the trail with information about this.

Getting There

From Hwy 14, about MP 51, turn north on Wind Mt. Rd. turning right after 1.4 miles on Girl Scout Rd. Another Quarter mile brings you to a small parking area on the right side of the gravel road. The unmarked trailhead is about 200 yards down this road, on the right, opposite a turnout big enough to park one vehicle. (You could park here but you can't turn around here so will either have to continue down the very steep and rough road circling the mountain back to Hwy 14 or back up the hill in reverse to get out.)

The trail is unmarked and unmaintained but used frequently enough that it is in very good shape. Elevation gain is only about 1,100 feet over the 1.05 miles to the summit from the actual trailhead, but by adding in the distance and elevations from the parking lot as well as to the viewpoint you'll end up with about 1,500' vertical and about 2.5 miles round trip.