9 min
Overview
Trails lead from North Bonneville around Hamilton Island, which was noted as "Strawberry Island" in the journals of Lewis and Clark, who remarked upon the abundance of strawberry runners they saw here. The current name remembers Samuel M. Hamilton, who took out a Land Claim here in 1850 and had a mountain, a creek, and an island named after him (The" island" is now connected to the mainland). This short hike is notable for its views to closeby features in the Washington Gorge, such as Beacon Rock, Hamilton Mountain, and Table Mountain, as well as some unique views across to the the Oregon side, taking in Munra Point directly across and some waterfalls not normally seen except from the Washington side of the river. Cottonwoods fringe part of the island shore, while the interior is mostly a grassy expanse. In the late summer and early fall, low river levels allow adventurous hikers to cross to Ives Island, west of Hamilton Island, and locate the remains of old fishwheels as well as make a much closer approach to Beacon Rock (see the Ives Island Add-on Hike). Also, a trail leads from the east end of the island to join the short walking circuit around the Fort Cascades site. At the parking area, which is next to a baseball diamond, a sign says “Foul balls. Park at own risk.” Pass behind the information map, and come to the junction with the loop. Make a right on a gravel track for the Rail Pond. There are splendid views of Aldrich Butte, Table Mountain and Hamilton Mountain. A line of cottonwoods and alders separates the trail from the banks of Hamilton Creek on the right. A bench offers a view of Hamilton Mountain, and looking back, Birkenfeld Mountain, South Birkenfeld Mountain, Table Mountain, Greenleaf Peak, Aldrich Butte and Cedar Mountain are all visible. There are also views to Hamilton Creek and Beacon Rock. At the next junction, keep straight, passing the Rail Pond on the left. You'll walk through a brushy area of blackberry, alder and cottonwoods, and at a junction, you can go right for Clark’s Viewpoint
Trail Stats
0.0 km
45 m
0 m
0 m
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Photos
400px-StrawberryIslandMap
400px-StrawberryIslandMap
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250px-Hamilton_Mountain_from_the_west_shore_of_Hamilton_Island
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250px-Signal_crayfish_%28Pacifastacus_leniusculus%29%2C_between_Hamilton_Island_and_Ives_Island
250px-Common_sneezeweed_%28Helenium_autumnale%29%2C_Hamilton_Island
250px-Common_sneezeweed_%28Helenium_autumnale%29%2C_Hamilton_Island
400px-Birkenfeld%2C_South_Birkenfeld%2C_Cedar_Mt
400px-Birkenfeld%2C_South_Birkenfeld%2C_Cedar_Mt