Aldrich Butte Hike

Overview

The popular hike to the top of Aldrich Butte on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge has again become an easy excursion with the reopening of the Bonneville Hot Springs Resort and Spa in February 2025. The resort allows hikers to use its back parking area as long as they pay the $10 fee (via QR code or at the reception). The former Dick Thomas Trail, which offered access to Carpenters Lake and other destinations in the area, has been rehabilitated as the Carpenters Meadow Trail. From there, you'll join old jeep roads to reach the summit of Aldrich Butte . The view from the top of Aldrich Butte is beautiful, overlooking the Columbia River and the Bonneville Dam /Eagle Creek areas of the Oregon side of the Gorge. While not a classic 360-degree panorama, it's a worthy final destination, especially if you walk out onto the vertical meadow on the front (south) face.

Trail Stats

Photos

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Bonneville Dame and Benson Plateau from Aldrich Butte (bobcat)

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The route to Aldrich Butte from the Bonneville Hot Springs Resort (bobcat) Courtesy: Gaia Topo

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Outcropping of the Eagle Creek Formation on Aldrich Butte Road (bobcat)

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Table Mountain and Sacaquawea and Pappose Rocks from Carpenters Lake (Jeff Statt)

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The footbridge over Carpenters Creek, Carpenters Meadow Trail (bobcat)

Trail photo

Looking eastward from the top of Aldrich Butte (Jeff Statt)

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