About us
Welcome to the Southwest Washington Hiking Group! This community is designed for those who love to explore the varied landscapes of our region, from serene forest walks to the challenging ascents of peaks like Mt. St. Helens.
Our Goals:
- Meet New People: Connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts and build lasting friendships.
- Share the Hiking Experience: Each trail offers unique sights and experiences, and there’s always a story to share.
- Increase Safety: Enjoy the security and camaraderie of hiking in a group.
- Learn from Each Other: Whether you’re learning trail skills or deepening your understanding of the natural world, there’s wisdom in every encounter.
- Discover New Trails: We aim to uncover the hidden and not-so-hidden treasures of SW Washington, one hike at a time.
Please note, while we strive to accommodate a wide range of hiking interests, some of our hikes will be quite strenuous and may not be suitable for all fitness levels. We encourage you to choose hikes that match your experience and physical abilities.
Join us for adventure, friendship, and the pure joy of the outdoors!
Featured event
Dog Mountain Wildflower Hike
Event Title: Dog Mountain in Peak Wildflower Season
Date and Time: Saturday, May 16th, 9:00 AM
Meeting Point: Dog Mountain Trailhead
Description:
Southwest Washington Hikers is back on trail, and we’re restarting with one of the best hikes in the Gorge: Dog Mountain during wildflower season.
Dog Mountain is famous for a reason. Expect a serious climb, sweeping Columbia River Gorge views, and if timing is on our side, hillsides covered in spring wildflowers. This is one of the signature hikes in our region and a great way to kick off a new season of group hikes.
If you’ve been waiting for the right one to come out for, this might be it.
### Hike Details:
- Distance: Approx. 6.8 miles loop (varies by route)
- Elevation Gain: Approx. 2,800+ feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Estimated Time: 4 to 6 hours
### Important: Permit Required
Dog Mountain requires permits on spring weekends. Every vehicle arriving privately must have a reservation permit for the date. This is mandatory and enforced.
Official permit page: Dog Mountain Permits
Permit release schedule:
- Main release began March 15
- Additional permits are released 4 days before each hiking date at 7:00 AM Pacific
For our May 16 hike, the next permit release should be:
Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 AM Pacific
### Parking Fee Also Required
Dog Mountain also has a $5 recreation site fee unless you have a valid pass such as:
- Northwest Forest Pass
- America the Beautiful Pass
- Certain senior / military federal passes
### Free Shuttle Option
There is also a free shuttle from Stevenson during the permit season. Shuttle riders do not need the vehicle reservation permit.
More info: Dog Mountain Shuttle
### What to Bring:
- Plenty of water
- Snacks / lunch
- Layers (Gorge weather changes fast)
- Good hiking shoes
- Trekking poles if you use them
- Camera
- Strong legs and a good attitude
### Good Fit for This Hike
This is a tough climb. You should be comfortable with sustained uphill hiking and solid exertion for several hours.
### Final Notes
If you RSVP, please understand that securing a permit is essential. I’ll do my best to help coordinate and share updates, but everyone should be prepared to obtain their own pass if needed.
Let’s get the group rolling again with a classic.
RSVP if you’re in, and comment if you plan to pursue a permit.
Upcoming events
1
Dog Mountain Wildflower Hike
Skamania County Fairgrounds, 710 SW Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson, WA, USEvent Title: Dog Mountain in Peak Wildflower Season
Date and Time: Saturday, May 16th, 9:00 AM
Meeting Point: Dog Mountain TrailheadDescription:
Southwest Washington Hikers is back on trail, and we’re restarting with one of the best hikes in the Gorge: Dog Mountain during wildflower season.
Dog Mountain is famous for a reason. Expect a serious climb, sweeping Columbia River Gorge views, and if timing is on our side, hillsides covered in spring wildflowers. This is one of the signature hikes in our region and a great way to kick off a new season of group hikes.
If you’ve been waiting for the right one to come out for, this might be it.### Hike Details:
- Distance: Approx. 6.8 miles loop (varies by route)
- Elevation Gain: Approx. 2,800+ feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Estimated Time: 4 to 6 hours
### Important: Permit Required
Dog Mountain requires permits on spring weekends. Every vehicle arriving privately must have a reservation permit for the date. This is mandatory and enforced.
Official permit page: Dog Mountain PermitsPermit release schedule:
- Main release began March 15
- Additional permits are released 4 days before each hiking date at 7:00 AM Pacific
For our May 16 hike, the next permit release should be:
Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 AM Pacific### Parking Fee Also Required
Dog Mountain also has a $5 recreation site fee unless you have a valid pass such as:
- Northwest Forest Pass
- America the Beautiful Pass
- Certain senior / military federal passes
### Free Shuttle Option
There is also a free shuttle from Stevenson during the permit season. Shuttle riders do not need the vehicle reservation permit.
More info: Dog Mountain Shuttle### What to Bring:
- Plenty of water
- Snacks / lunch
- Layers (Gorge weather changes fast)
- Good hiking shoes
- Trekking poles if you use them
- Camera
- Strong legs and a good attitude
### Good Fit for This Hike
This is a tough climb. You should be comfortable with sustained uphill hiking and solid exertion for several hours.
### Final Notes
If you RSVP, please understand that securing a permit is essential. I’ll do my best to help coordinate and share updates, but everyone should be prepared to obtain their own pass if needed.
Let’s get the group rolling again with a classic.RSVP if you’re in, and comment if you plan to pursue a permit.
4 attendees
Past events
9
