Labyrinth-Coyote Wall Loop Hike

Overview

When it’s raining in Portland in late March, April or May, taking a drive east of Hood River is almost sure to get you beyond the tempests and into sunny climes. One of the premier spring hikes in southwestern Washington, this loop takes you through a geological wonderland, the scablands and waterfalls of the Labyrinth up to grassy meadows with views to Columbia Gorge high points and Mount Hood. Then you’ll traverse through oak woods and across meadows to reach the imposing cliffs of Coyote Wall, known to geologists as the Bingen Anticline and to mountain bikers as the Syncline (The geologists are the ones using the correct terminology). Hiking down the wall, you not only get views down to the oak/ponderosa woodland below but again obtain commanding vistas across the Columbia River to Oregon. The last leg of this outstanding loop takes you on the winding course of the Little Maui Trail as it negotiates the western edges of the Labyrinth. In spring, expert botanizers should be able to spot at least 70 species in bloom along these trails. Most junctions were officially signposted as of 2018. Note that dogs must be on leash in this area from December 1st to June 30th. Note that you can also begin this hike from the Coyote Wall Trailhead, but the loop description below begins at the Labyrinth Trailhead. 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. 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 Labyrint

Trail Stats

Photos

500px-LabyrinthCoyoteWallLoopMap

500px-LabyrinthCoyoteWallLoopMap

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250px-Naked_broomrape_%28Orobanche_uniflora%29%2C_Coyote_Wall

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250px-CoyoteWall8

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250px-Poet%27s_shooting_star_%28Dodecatheon_poeticum%29%2C_Labyrinth

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400px-Upper_falls%2C_Labyrinth

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