Labyrinth Hike

Overview

The hike into the Labyrinth is one of the gems of the Washington Gorge and, while it is popular, it doesn't quite get the crowds of the Coyote Wall Hike. The Labyrinth Trail winds its way up through this maze of basalt outcroppings in a thin-soiled landscape scoured by the Missoula Floods at the end of the last ice age. Labyrinth Creek and its waterfall is one feature; spring wildflowers are another; and the hike ends at a viewpoint that takes in much of the east Gorge as well as Mount Hood. Poison oak is rampant in these environs, however, and with an official trail system now in place, make sure you stay on the designated paths. Note that dogs must be on leash in this area from December 1st to June 30th. Walk west along an abandoned section of former Highway 8 below basalt cliffs. Cross a rock slide, and pass Lower Labyrinth Falls, which splash down over the road cutting: this two-tiered falls was created when both the old and new alignments of the highway were blasted. Monkey flower, pungent desert parsley, fiddleneck, and prairie star bloom here in the spring. Approach another cutting: to the left is a grassy promontory that hosts a population of cluster lilies and offers views downriver to Mosier as well as up the rugged landscape of the Labyrinth. Just beyond the promontory is the Highway 8-Labyrinth Trail Junction. Wind up the Labyrinth Trail #4423, keeping right at a junction to enter the Labyrinth’s maze of basalt outcroppings. Pass under a ponderosa pine to drop into a hollow, and then follow Labyrinth Creek up past where it plunges through a narrow defile on the right. You’ll pass by Labyrinth Cave on your left, and then you can take a side trail to get a better view of Labyrinth Falls. Switchback up twice to get a view of Labyrinth Falls’ upper tier, and then cross Labyrinth Creek on a single plank bridge. Hike up under oaks and then through a meadow under a palisade of columnar basalt known as Accordion Rock (and to local climbers as Wankers Columns). To your left, Labyrinth Creek funnels throug

Trail Stats

Photos

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