Parking
Mitchell Point Trailhead, reached from eastbound I-84 Exit 58. The Wygant route starts at the west end of the lot.
Overview
About Wygant Peak Trail
Why go
- Open views from two ridgeline spurs
- Meadow beyond the wooded summit
Heads up
- Long, sustained climb
- Unbridged creek crossing on a log
Wygant Peak Trail is a roughly 9-mile out-and-back from Mitchell Point Trailhead, following the old Historic Columbia River Highway grade before climbing through Perham Creek canyon and up 35 switchbacks. The wooded summit has no broad view; continue a short spur to Wygant Meadow for open west-facing views of Mount Defiance and Table Mountain. Spring flowers brighten the meadow, with the Gorge ridges beyond. Allow 5 to 6 hours for the climb and stops.
Parkwolf’s verdictThe payoff is beyond the peakMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Columbia River Gorge map
Full mapElevation98–2,185 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Columbia River Gorge alerts
- ClosureEagle Creek Fire area closureDo not enter Oneonta Gorge or the specified trail sections because hazards remain following the Eagle Creek Fire.Official details
- CautionAircraft and drone restrictions at developed recreation sitesAircraft and drone landings, drop-offs, and pickups are prohibited at six high-use developed recreation sites to protect visitor safety.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide
Your drive to Wygant Peak Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this area
Mitchell Point Tunnel0:00 / 0:31
“Up ahead is the access for Mitchell Point Tunnel, a short paved walk through the cliff rather than a drive-through tunnel. Five arched windows frame the Columbia and Washington hills.”
Plays on the road 0.1 mi from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- The Wheat on the Water
- The River After Condit
- A Nursery Behind the Dam
- How Hood River Became Pear Country
- 217 audio storiesacross Columbia River Gorge’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Bald Eagle, Black Bear, American Pika, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 111 trails, 78 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Wygant Peak Trail
A varied climbStart at the lot’s west end beneath maples and Douglas-firs, crossing Mitchell Creek on…
Start at the lot’s west end beneath maples and Douglas-firs, crossing Mitchell Creek on stepping stones. A viewpoint looks across I-84 toward Dog Mountain before the trail drops through hanging meadows to Perham Creek. Cross on a log beside the remains of the old bridge, then climb past a powerline opening and gravel maintenance track. Middle and Upper Wygant viewpoints break up the sustained switchbacks with Gorge views toward Mount Adams, Indian Point and the Washington side. Eighteen final switchbacks reach the forested summit; the meadow lies beyond.
Getting there and footingThe lot is reached from eastbound I-84 Exit 58; Wygant starts at its west end.
The lot is reached from eastbound I-84 Exit 58; Wygant starts at its west end. Restrooms and a picnic table are at the trailhead; carry water and food. Dogs are allowed on a leash up to six feet. The creek crossing has no bridge, poison oak crowds parts of the climb, and winter storms often damage area trails. Follow Wygant past the unmaintained Chetwoot junction.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Columbia River Gorge
267 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
51 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
136 sightingsAmerican PikaMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
16 sightingsWapitiMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
195 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
74 sightingsChinook SalmonMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Columbia River Gorge. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
