Sherrard Point

Sherrard Point is a summit overlook on Larch Mountain, above the Larch Mountain Picnic Area in the Columbia River Gorge. It sits on an ancient volcanic summit, reached by a short trail from the picnic grounds. On a clear day you can pick out five Cascade peaks: Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson. That lineup is the payoff. Clouds can hide some or all of it, so treat the view as a bonus, not a guarantee.

Trail 443 is about 0.2 mile from the picnic area and paved, but the route includes 100 steps. Sherrard Point is not ADA accessible. If stairs are a problem, the picnic area itself is still a worthwhile stop, with about ten accessible picnic tables and accessible vault toilets. There is no potable water there, so bring your own.

The picnic area also starts longer hikes across Larch Mountain. A 6.75-mile loop passes through forest, along Multnomah Creek, by a marshy meadow and an old-growth grove. There are several trail junctions on the route, so take a map. If you just want the viewpoint, the short paved spur is the simpler plan; you don't need to turn the stop into a long hike.

From the Historic Columbia River Highway near Corbett, Larch Mountain Road climbs about 14 miles to the day-use area. It's narrow with limited visibility in places and popular with road cyclists, so take the bends patiently. The road typically closes at the snow gate near milepost 10 from late November until late May or early June; reopening depends on snow conditions. Check the road status before driving up. Parking is at the picnic area, then the view takes a short walk and stair climb.