Larch Mountain’s Incredible Sherrard Point
Mt Hood seen from Sherrard Point
You don’t need to be a mountain climber to see unbelievable views of the Cascade Mountains. Oregon’s Larch Mountain has an easily accessible overlook at Sherrard Point that offers glimpses of not one, not two, but five Cascade mountain peaks. From it, you will see, in clockwise order:
Mount St Helens - 8,363 ft
Mount Rainier - 14,410 ft
Mount Adams - 12,307 ft
Mount Hood - 11,235 ft
Mount Jefferson - 10,497 ft
While all of these peaks are visible on a clear day, Mount Hood is the star of the show. Only 22 miles away from Sherrard Point, it appears to loom over the pine forests surrounding it.
Reaching Sherrard Point can either be a 14-mile, all-day excursion if you hike up from the trailhead at Multnomah Falls or an easy, 0.6-mile stroll from the parking area near the viewpoint.
Mt Hood seen from Sherrard Point
Know before you go:
The road to the top of Larch Mountain is open seasonally. There is a gate that closes off the road when it becomes impassable due to snow, generally around late November until late May or early June.
Try to visit on a clear day so that you can see all the mountains.
There is a paved road that goes all the way to the top of Larch Mountain. It’s in good condition and accessible to low-clearance vehicles. There is a parking lot at the end of this road and I have never had trouble finding a spot to park.
The road up Larch Mountain is popular with cyclists. It’s also narrow and has no shoulder, so you’ll want to drive carefully and take it slow on the curves.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail and at the viewpoint!
The Sherrard Point viewpoint is enclosed with a fence, making it family-friendly.
There is a picnic area near the viewpoint. It’s in a scenic forested location, although you won’t have the same panoramic views there as at the Sherrard Point overlook.
There are restrooms near the parking lot.
Mt Adams from Sherrard Point
Parking and cost
There is a fee to use the parking lot at the top of Larch Mountain. Here are your options for payment:
You can use the annual NW Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. Learn more about annual recreation passes here.
A day pass is $5. There is a self-pay station at the parking lot, although it is cash only and does not give change.
You can purchase a $5 day pass online through recreation.gov and print it at home before you leave.
You can purchase a digital day pass on site, which uses your license plate number rather than a printed pass to verify payment. Keep in mind that cell phone reception is limited at the Larch Mountain parking lot, so it may be challenging to purchase a day pass once you’re there.
If you are hiking up Larch Mountain from Multnomah Falls, you do not need this day pass, although you may need a seasonal timed permit if visiting from Memorial Day - Labor Day.
Picnic area at the top of Larch Mountain
About Larch Mountain
Larch Mountain is an extinct shield volcano in the Cascade Mountains. At 4,045 feet, it may not be one of the tallest peaks there, but its summit is a great vantage point for seeing the surrounding mountain range. The Sherrard Point overlook sits on rocky outcroppings made of andesite typical of the Cascades. While it was an active volcano, Larch Mountain altered the landscape around it by erupting many of the Boring lava flows, possibly the funniest of all lava flow names.
Oddly enough, there aren’t any larches on Larch Mountain. Instead, the forest there is classic Pacific Northwest, with lots of fir trees, ferns, and hemlock. There is evidence of the 2017 Eagle Creek fire damage along the lower sections of the Larch Mountain Trail, but the area around Sherrard Point is still lushly forested and smells of fresh pine.
Last few stairs to the Sherrard Point overlook
The Sherrard Point Trail
Distance: 0.6 miles out-and-back
Elevation: 100 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass required: NW Forest Pass or America the Beautiful pass
The easiest way to see the views from Larch Mountain is to drive up to the parking area at the top and take the short, 0.3-mile trail to the viewpoint. From the parking area, head toward the self-pay station to reach the trailhead. There will be a sign at the trailhead pointing you toward either the picnic area or Sherrard Point overlook. You can reach the overlook using either trail, although the Sherrard Point trail to the right will be the most direct. The beginning of the trail is flat, shaded, and paved. You will reach a set of stairs that will take you up to the Sherrard Point overlook.
Multnomah Falls
The Larch Mountain Trail
Distance: 14 miles out-and-back
Elevation: 4,000 feet
Difficulty: Difficult
Pass required: Timed permit required seasonally to park at Multnomah Falls ($2). No pass is required after Labor Day 2022. Arrive early to make sure you get a parking space and have enough time to complete the hike before dark.
Instead of driving straight to the top, you can hike up Larch Mountain for a rewarding, day-long hike. From the trailhead at the base of Multnomah Falls, hike up the steep, paved trail about one mile to reach the top of the falls. Then, take the Larch Mountain Trail the rest of the way. This hike will take you past a few waterfalls, including lovely Ecola Falls. There are areas along the hike that reflect the fire damage from the 2017 Eagle Creek fire, but the area closer to the top of Larch Mountain is unscathed.
Although this hike is long, the most strenuous part will be at the beginning. After you pass the top of Multnomah Falls, the crowds drop off and the trail becomes unpaved and has a gentler slope. It continues as a gradual uphill climb until you reach the parking lot for Sherrard Point. From there, continue 0.3 miles on the Sherrard Point trail to the viewpoint. Return the way you came.
Mt St Helens from Sherrard Point
Getting there
To reach the parking lot at the top of Larch Mountain:
From Portland, take I-84 East until Exit 22. Turn right onto NE Corbett Hill Road, follow it for 1.5 miles, then turn left onto the Historic Columbia River Highway. Continue for 2 miles and then take a slight right onto East Larch Mountain Road. Follow East Larch Mountain Road for 14 miles. The drive will take about an hour.
From Hood River, take I-84 West to Exit 22 and continue as described above. The drive will take a little over an hour.
Make sure to stop at Vista House to see unbeatable of the Columbia River Gorge before continuing onto East Larch Mountain Road. You won’t be disappointed!
To reach the parking lot at Multnomah Falls:
From Portland, take I-84 East for about 30 minutes until Exit 31 for Multnomah Falls. The parking lot will be directly off the highway.
From Hood River, take I-84 West for about 35 minutes and take Exit 31.
Mt Adams from Sherrard Point
Enjoy the mountains!
With love,
Emma
Looking for more hiking in the area? Check out these great hikes close to Portland.
Reference:
Miller, Marli Bryant. Roadside Geology of Oregon. Missoula, Montana: Mountain Press Publishing Company, 2014.
Snow-capped summit of Mt Hood
