Hiking, September 2026

/ margaretquilts

We had five hiking days in September.

9-1 – Mt St Helens area, Lava Canyon and Goat Marsh, WA

These were both ‘new to us’ trails. They are short, and not difficult, so we bundled them into the same day.

Hike locations, Lava Canyon and Goat Marsh, circled in pink. Gaia map.

Lava Canyon (1.8 miles, 300 feet) This trail follows both sides of Lava Canyon, on the southeast side of Mt St Helens. Even though this side of the mountain was away from the 1980 blast zone, the canyon was gouged out by a glacier meltwater/mudflow during the eruption event. It is very pretty hike, but the bridge connecting the two trails is now washed out, so we hiked both sides of the canyon.

Trail and geology information sign for Lava Canyon.
Lava Canyon Falls. Any closer view would be unsafe below this steep cliff.
Alder trees along the trail.
Closed bridge, north side. Our turnaround point.

We retraced our steps, then crossed the good bridge to the south side, and walked along the canyon there.

A small waterfall near the Lava Canyon Bridge.
Upstream from the Lava Canyon Bridge.
Scoured rocks in the canyon along Muddy Creek.
Scoured rocks along the trail on the south side of Lava Canyon.
More cascades along Muddy Creek.
And another little waterfall.
Closed bridge, from the south side, and our turnaround point. The view upstream from the bridge must be great! I hope they reopen it someday.

From here, we drove the bumpy Red Rock Pass Road to the west, to the Goat Marsh Trailhead.

Goat Marsh (2.5 miles, 120 feet) The marsh lakes reflect Mt St Helens on a clear day. We were hiking on an overcast day with no views. We walked through perfectly beautiful forest for a while before reaching the marshes.

Entering the Goat Marsh Research area
We reached an opening in the woods and could see across the first of the two “lakes” or “marshes”, This time of year it looks like a big meadow.
Somewhere in this direction one should be able to see Mt St Helens on a clear day.
The far end of the marshes still had some water and lily pads.
Lily pads

We would like to come back on a sunny spring day when the marshes have more water, and the reflection of the mountain…

9-10 – Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, OR

River Overlook and Wetland Trails (3 miles, 50 feet) We were in the neighborhood for some errands, so stopped for a walk. The lakes are not extensive right now, and there were not many birds.

Geese out in the wetland
Egret
Turtles
Tualatin River overlook
Reflections and shadows
Tualatin River

9-21 – Owl Point, Mt Hood, OR

Owl Point Trail (4.5 miles, 600 feet) It was too hot to go up Vista Ridge, where the burned trees offer no shade on a day like today. The Owl Point Trail follows the edge of Red Hill, is mostly shady, and ends at a spectacular view to Mt Hood, with some pretty fall colors in the foliage.

Along the “approach” trail through the forest.
The approach trail reaches this viewpoint – Mt Hood through the trees, with lots of fireweed seedheads in the foreground.
We take the left fork, toward Owl Point.
Fall colors – mountain ash and huckleberries along the way.

After about 2 miles, we reached the rocky outcrop known as Owl Point.

Approaching Owl Point.
Lunch stop with a view to Mt Hood.
View to the east, toward the Hood River Valley.
Lower eastern slopes of Mt Hood. The Pinnacle in the right foreground. (Midday is a difficult sun angle.)
Closer look at Cooper Spur.
Barrett Spur and the Coe Glacier.
The top of Mt Hood from the north.
Wider view
And a last view, with all the Dollar Lake Fire (2011) ghost forest spread out below.

9-23 – Lacamas Lake, WA

Heritage Trail (5 miles, 30 feet) – We joined friends who live nearby for a walk and talk visit. I hadn’t seen this much of Lacamas Lake before. Many people live nearby, and lots of them run, walk, bike, paddle, and fish in the recreation areas here.

Southern end of Lacamas Lake, near the trailhead.
The lake stretches about two and a half miles to the north.
A fancy mansion on the eastern shore.
Mt Hood, far to the south.
Lily pads back near the trailhead.

9-28 – Rock Lakes – Old Cascade Crest Loop, Indian Heaven Wilderness, WA

Thomas Lake Trail – (6.3 miles, 700 feet) Indian Heaven Wilderness is full of small lakes and huckleberry meadows and is one of our favorite fall hike destinations.

It is less than a mile up the trail to the first set of lakes.

Dee Lake
Thomas Lake
Heather Lake
Reflections

The trail ascends to a viewpoint of Mt St Helens, and more lakes and meadows.

Mt St Helens
Huckleberry meadows
Huckleberry bushes
Naja Lake is near the top of the next rise
And one more meadow to cross before our lunch stop.

We took a break at Rock Lakes.

Rock Lake
Rock Lake
When the lake level is higher, there is only one lake here. Today we can walk between two lakes.

After lunch we continued to the east, toward Junction Lake – there are a few unnamed lakes along the trail.

Unnamed Lake
View of East Crater near the junction with the Old Cascade Crest Trail.

We turned south on the Old Cascade Crest Trail. There are many unnamed lakes and huckleberry meadows – it is my favorite part of this hike!

Unnamed lake
Trail through the meadows
Another unnamed lake
Love these reflections!
Blue jays were following us in one section.
Fall color!
Southern end of this section – and a look back at East Crater.

We rejoined the Thomas Lake Trail, then hiked north, passing by Rock Lakes again, before returning to the trailhead.

Rock Lakes again.
Heather Lake has the best reflections!
Abstract reflections
Colorful reflections
And a last look at Thomas Lake.

As we returned from this hike, I took a picture of the grey tree fringe in the gorge beyond the Bridge of the Gods – It has been almost 10 years since that fire.

Bridge of the Gods

In all, September was a good month for rebuilding my leg strength and stamina. We also took several long walks at the Oregon Coast, during a few days we spent at Rockaway Beach (next post).

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