Miles: 5.7 miles RT
Elevation Gain/Highest: 1125ft/1221ft
Map: Green Trails Columbia Gorge East 432s
Favorite Eats After Hike: Crush Cider, Walking Man Brewery, Backwoods Brewery, Thunder Island Brewing, Cascade Locks Ale House, Farm Stand Natural Foods, or just Pack A Cooler. You can learn more about these places in my Must Hike Must Eat Eating Out Guide.
Find out current conditions and as always, practice Leave No Trace. Pretty please.
Hike details:
The Labyrinth Loop in the Coyote Wall Trail system is a unique opportunity to wander through relatively young open geological terrain rising up from the Columbia River Gorge. Starting at the Coyote Wall parking lot, the trail follows an old road before turning up on dirt path through gnarled oak trees and lichen spotted rock. Spring brings bright yellow balsamwood and the possibility of tics while fall’s amber colors decorate the oak stands. Poison oak is also a local so know what to look for before you go.
The Labyrinth trail itself is unmarked, about .75 miles from the parking lot. It follows the Labyrinth Creek through rocky and grassy landscape with open views to a junction with Catherine Creek (another trail in the system). Making a left across the plateau, you can drop down on one of several trails (such as Coyote Wall or Old Ranch Road). A side trail like Little Moab offers views west before arriving back on the abandoned road you first walked in on. It pays to be observant of your location and have you 10 essentials, there are several side trails that could have you wandering further than anticipated. There are a few water sources and expect quite a bit of exposure to the elements.
My trip report:
3/8/2020
Another great weekend on the Gorge! We spent yesterday snowshoeing in Oregon and today was sunshine and views for miles on the Washington side.
We parked at the Coyote Wall main trailhead. The lot was full so we were just outside on a small pullout joining 2 other cars there just before 10:30am (by the time we left many more cars lined the road).
We took the old highway passing under Coyote Wall and were not surprised it was no longer in use with all the boulders strewn about at its base. And it was obvious many more would join them when peering up at the jagged wall.
We turned up at the unsigned Labyrinth Trail at .72 miles and began our ascent that joined Labyrinth Creek through the mix or rocky and grassy terrain. A few climbers were dropping lines on some basalt pillars but otherwise we had the trail to ourselves. Bright purple and yellow blooms dotted the landscape and the falls glistened at 1.25 miles in.
The higher we climbed, the more the Columbia River stretched out before us. Mt. Hood glowed white across the river, making an appearance we didn’t have yesterday when we were at her base. Ugh.
The map had a junction at 1.75 miles but we kept right as left was closed for restoration. There was another unmarked junction at 1.9 miles and we opted for left up towards Atwood Road.
Which wasn’t really a road as it was on the map but grassy trail through the oak trees. The junction was at 2.6 miles and we turned left and west at our first trail sign marked for the Upper Labyrinth #4424. The sign said that Catherine Creek was right, a trail to explore another day.
In a a few minutes the trail does become more road like, widening at a lovely view point where we stopped for a snack. There was another group a short distance off and several mountain bikers rode by remarking on the beautiful day. Gazing out at Mt. Hood, we decided we could see the ridge we had been on yesterday that took us up to the Tilly Jane shelter and across the Timberline Trail.
Continuing on, we took the Atwood to the Old Ranch Road (#4426) and headed down rather than the traverse to Coyote Wall (#4427). Mostly to avoid a group with an unleashed dog and maintain our solitude. So far we had not seen as many people as we expected for such a nice day but the further we went, the more the bikers and hikers increased.
We soon passed the junction for Coyote Wall (#4428), leaving Old Ranch to take the Little Moab (#4429) 4.11 miles into our hike. Here we met the cliff wall we had stared up at from the parking lot at the beginning of our hike. It was a stunning view with the Columbia running in the distance and blue skies above. You really get a feel for the volcanic history of this landscape from the vantage point.
The trail dropped down over the rugged terrain on tight switchbacks and I was glad we were taking this one down instead of a reverse loop up. Mountain bikes were enjoying the adrenaline and a dad was followed by a kiddo that looked like he’d rather be home playing Fortnite. Way to go, Dad!
We reconnected with the Old Ranch again at 4.73 miles and swooped down to meet the old highway in another half mile. We passed the junction for Little Maui and admired the rock formations emerging from fields of green grass. Spring is here!
We were back to the car at 5.65 miles and about 3 hours total, GAIA says we had 1,123 feet of ascent. There was a privy but no toilet paper so plan accordingly if you come on the weekend!
Directions: From Vancouver, WA, take the scenic route along SR 14 east through Stevenson and on to Bingen. From Portland, follow I-84 on the Oregon side and cross over at Hood River (toll) following the signs to White Salmon. Turn right (east) on Highway 14 to go to Bingen. No pass needed, there is a privy. The trailhead is 3.5 miles further east on SR 14, take a left on Courtney Road and the parking lot is quickly on the right.
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