Fort Columbia, Scarborough Hill

While visiting Fort Columbia State Park, don't miss the opportunity reacquaint yourself with the trail by trekking onto one of several hikes that lead up Scarborough Hill.

After departing from the highly manicured landscape of Fort Columbia, visitors will quickly immerse themselves into an old-growth forest dominated by Sitka spruce, western hemlock and a continuous sea of sword fern.  In total, the park boasts just over 4 miles of hiking trails, but the summit of Scarborough Hill can be reached with just a mile's walk via the Military Road Trail.  Along the way you'll find pocket clearings where thick undergrowth gives way to views over the Columbia River and west toward Cape Disappointment.  Unfortunately, the 590-foot climb to the top isn't rewarded by panoramic vistas, simply more dense coastal forest.  Make your way down the singletrack Scarborough Trail, however, where numerous World War II bunkers wait to be explored.