Hadley Peak Trail

Hadley Peak Trail offers a demanding alternative to the more popular Hamilton Mountain route in Beacon Rock State Park, following a quieter ridge to outstanding views over the Columbia River Gorge. The trail climbs steeply through dense Pacific Northwest forest of Douglas fir, bigleaf maple, and vine maple, gaining elevation steadily through cool, shaded woodland. As the ridge narrows, the canopy opens to reveal progressively expanding views across the gorge and the Columbia River winding far below. The upper sections traverse open rocky ridgeline with sweeping panoramas in multiple directions. The trail connects the park's lower trails with the upper ridge system, providing a less-traveled route for hikers seeking a more solitary experience in this spectacular environment. Wildflowers including Indian paintbrush, balsamroot, and penstemon color the open ridge sections in late spring and early summer. Raptors including red-tailed hawks and Cooper's hawks hunt along the ridge, while woodpeckers work through the dead snags in the forest below. The return descent via the same route requires care on steeper sections, particularly when wet. Trekking poles are recommended. The effort is well rewarded by the comparative solitude and the dramatic gorge scenery that rivals the more accessible viewpoints in the area.