Trip Report
Day Hike - Hamilton Mountain & Catherine Creek
Naturalist day hike planned for Hamilton Mountain was altered due to rainy weather during morning at Hamilton and shift to afternoon dry hike at Catherine Creek.
Linda Moore
- Mon, Apr 13, 2026
- Day Hike - Hamilton Mountain
- Hamilton Mountain
- Naturalist
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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Hamilton Mountain day hike has a temporary detour with trail start at Hadley trail until winter landslide cleared between Hamilton trailhead and Hadley trail junction (approx late April). During temporary detour, park at Hamilton Mountain lower or upper lots and walk park road .4 mile to Hadley TH (starts in campground). Early arrivals may find space in small 7-8 vehicle parking area adjacent to Hadley TH. Hadley trail is .6mi with gentle ascent vs .4mi closed section of Hamilton trail. All other trails are clear.
We hiked on Hadley detour trail and Hamilton Mountain trail beyond junction with Hadley trail through light to moderate rain while enjoying the trail side's early spring wildflowers, moss and shrubs with emerging blooms before reaching turnaround at Hardy Falls bridge where current wildflower blooms were few.
The group and leader opted to continue the wildflower day hike in better weather in the afternoon further east at Catherine Creek where we hiked the upper leg of Rock Arch Loop amid carpets of colorful spring wildflowers - camas, seablush, saxifrages and more. This second wave of spring wildflower blooms war nearing its peak display. We were treated with a few bird sightings - turkey vultures circling in aerial "kettle" display then sweeping across the windy sky, followed by a red tail hawk in flight.
Hamilton hike photo follows, contributed by Jeannette Barreca:
A few more Hamilton photos are contributed by Linda Moore:
Catherine Creek photos follow, contributed by Jeannette Barreca:
A few favorite wildflower photos of Catherine Creek follow, contributed by Linda Moore:
