Augspurger Mountain Hike

Overview

The hike to Augspurger Mountain takes you away from the stressful crowds of Dog Mountain (although including that popular destination is an option) and takes you to a higher point. If you want views, however, you'll need to continue a little way down beyond the summit of Augspurger Mountain to a ridge top meadow with vistas to the Washington stratovolcanoes to the north. Note that a sign at the trailhead indicates that it is 7.5 miles to the top of Augspurger Mountain . Several GPS measurements have it at just over 6 miles, however. WARNING: You'll be sharing the trailhead with the Dog Mountain crowds, so the parking area fills early. To avoid frustration, even on weekdays, try to arrive before 8:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. between March and July. Permits for the Dog Mountain Trail System are required on Saturdays and Sundays between April 29th and June 18th, 2023, as well as Memorial Day (May 29th) and Juneteenth (June 19th). There are 90 permits available for online reservation, with some available from March 15th, while others open up three days ahead of each weekend. You can reserve your permit by visiting Dog Mountain Trail System Permits . Starting at the Dog Mountain Trailhead , take the Augspurger Trail #4407 around the west flank of Dog Mountain . The trail ascends more gradually than other Dog Mountain trails and there are views of Wind Mountain and the Columbia Gorge. After 2.8 miles and 2200 feet of climbing, you'll reach a junction with the Dog-Augspurger Tie Trail , which will switchback up to the right. Keep left to stay on the Augspurger Trail and go downhill on a narrower path into a basin. After .6 miles, the trail climbs slightly and intersects with a forest road. Take a right and head uphill another .6 miles, continuing straight through a four-way junction under powerlines. When the road takes a hairpin left turn, look for a trail to your right with a sign that says "Augspurger Mt., 2.5 mi." Continue on the Augspurger Trail as it climbs and switchbacks through the woods for 1.1 miles until y

Trail Stats

Photos

Trail photo

Map of the hike, showing the optional descent loop via Dog Mountain. Note that Augspurger Mountain is mislabeled in the topo - its summit is the high point to the right of the word "Mtn" at the end of the red line.

Trail photo

Dutchman's breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), Augspurger Mt. (bobcat)

Trail photo

Traversing Augspurger Mountain (bobcat)

Trail photo

Go straight through this road junction.

Trail photo

Mount Rainier (L) and Mount Adams, seen from the viewpoint at the end of the ridge past Augspurger Mountain.

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