Located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge, Grassy Knoll is one of those hikes that are seldom overlooked. Getting there is part of the fun, in fact, the first time I went there; I thought I was in the right place only to find later I was a mile away from the actual trailhead. This time, knowing that good piece of information I was able to get the group to the trailhead without getting lost. Once on the trail you don’t have to wait long for the views. Soon after starting, the trail reaches the ridgeline traveling north. To the east the views are outstanding and even eerie as you see a big plain, all green, all covered in trees. It almost seems out of place to have an extension of land almost flat in the idle of the cascades. Looking at a map you realize that big expansion is the big lava bed, an ancient lava flow that leveled everything in its path. On the other side, far in the Distance, beautiful Mt Adams stands there looking at you. Not long after starting the trail makes a turn and you get some views towards the south that include Mt Hood and the Columbia River basin. And then, you get to the first destination, grassy Knoll. This flat area is where the old fire lookout tower used to be. You can still see some remnant of the tower as you enjoy the views around. From there, after a short break, we continued north towards Big Huckleberry, our second destination. The trail is not much different as it continues meandering thru the ridge until it gets to a point where a sharp turn right takes you to the summit. This summit is a bit less inspiring than Grassy Knoll as views are a bit limited. Still, it offers several spots where you can drop your pack and enjoy a nice lunch in the company of your hiking buddies.
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