Table Mountain from Bonneville Trailhead

This is the Bonneville Trailhead route to Table Mountain: a 15.5-mile out-and-back with a small summit loop, climbing West Table Mountain Trail and descending Heartbreak Ridge. The whole outing gains about 4,300 feet and takes most of a day; allow roughly 10 to 12 hours with stops. Its payoff is a broad, grass-topped summit above the raw cliffs of the Bonneville Landslide, with the Columbia Gorge, Mount Hood and higher Cascade peaks spread around it. The route reaches that view through dense forest, clearcuts, lake country and a final belt of loose rock. It is an all-day mountain hike, not a short viewpoint walk.

Pick this approach if you want a long, demanding day that builds from a river-level trailhead to a high Gorge summit. The grade is sustained over many miles, then steepens sharply near the top; rolling talus and faint junctions make the last climb slower than the mileage suggests. The south rim has sheer drops, so the summit views require care and a willingness to stay well back from the edge. Hikers looking for an easy summit stroll or a simple signed route should choose another outing. The difficulty comes from the distance, climbing, loose footing and exposure; allow time to retrace the long PCT approach after the summit loop.

Tamanous Trail #27 starts at the far end of the Bonneville parking area. It climbs on gravel and then a wooded path, with an early look toward Bonneville Lock and Dam; after about 0.6 mile, turn left on the Pacific Crest Trail. Views narrow as the PCT crosses the old landslide through forest, clearcuts and beneath power lines. Some tread is faint, and public land and private parcels are mixed together, so stay on the marked route. The trail drops to Gillette Lake, where a short spur reaches a lakeside campsite, then crosses Gillette and Greenleaf creeks before climbing to Greenleaf Viewpoint. From there it contours above Carpenters Lake and its meadow toward Table Mountain. The lake, creek crossings and viewpoint break up the long approach, but there is no food stop on the trail.

At the west side of the mountain, stay on the PCT past the Heartbreak Ridge junction and continue to West Table Mountain Trail. The climb turns sharply steeper. Crude switchbacks cross loose talus near the windbreak rocks, where stones can roll underfoot. Higher up, the path enters trees, then opens onto summit meadow and ridge. Follow the established line to the south-edge viewpoints for the landslide cliffs and Mount Hood; the rim is exposed, so frame Mount Hood above the landslide cliffs while staying well back from the rim. A short summit connector joins Heartbreak Ridge for the descent. That trail drops about 700 feet in half a mile before reaching the PCT for the return to Bonneville.

Bonneville Trailhead is on SR 14 near North Bonneville, Washington. A day-use fee or accepted recreation pass applies; the day-use lot has vault toilets but no potable water, and there are no on-trail drinking water is established, so plan to carry or treat water. The Forest Service manages the trailhead, while parts of the route cross private forest land under access easements. Keep to the trail. Dogs are allowed on leash. The upper ridge is season-sensitive: snow can linger around the summit, even though the trailhead is open year-round for day use. The landslide that left Table Mountain’s steep southern face also dammed the Columbia and formed the original Bridge of the Gods. For food after the hike, Stevenson’s restaurants and brewpubs are about five miles east by car; they are a separate stop, not on the trail.