Larch Mountain
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From Portland, take Exit 22 (Corbett) off I-84. Go right at the top of the ramp, then 1.5 miles up a steep hill on Corbett Hill Rd to Columbia River Historic Hwy. Go 2 miles and turn right onto Larch Mountain Rd.
Larch Mountain Rd goes 14 miles and ends with a parking lot; Forest Pass required). There is a gate at the 10 mile mark that is closed in winter; the timing varies with the weather but usually closes in November and opens late May or early June. From the parking area, one can walk about 0.4 miles uphill to the top called Sherrard Point where there are panoramic views of the Cascade peaks and Columbia Gorge. Before the gate opens it is possible to park by that closed gate and walk the 4 miles to the top.
Go to the Oregon Birding Trails Website. Choose the Cascades Birding Trail. Then choose the Mt. Hood Loop Guide. Section 2.
DirectionsHabitat and Birds
This sites gives opportunities for many species difficult to find elsewhere in the county. These include Hermit and MacGillivray’s Warblers, Sooty and Ruffed Grouse (former at higher elevation, latter usually lower), Northern Pygmy-Owl, Townsend’s Solitaire, Canada Jay, Evening Grosbeak, Band-tailed Pigeon and Rufous Hummingbird. Rock Wren likely visits most years. Common Nighthawks nest on Larch and can be found on summer evenings at dusk usually at lower elevations such as along SE Deverell Rd near the 4 mile mark. Rarer birds seen from Sherrard Point include Gray-crowned Rosy-finch, Northern Goshawk, Clark’s Nutcracker, Golden Eagle, Mountain Chickadee, Pine Grosbeak and White-winged Crossbill.
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