Beacon Rock & Pool of the Winds Hike
Open gallery
Upcoming Events
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Saturday, September 19
Registration Opens: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Pre-Trip Meeting: Tuesday September 15 at 5:15pm
Trip Fee: $35
This two-part hike showcases some of the most spectacular features of the Columbia Gorge in just a few rewarding miles, but it’s not for those who are timid of heights! First, we’ll ascend switchbacks up the basalt cliffside of Beacon Rock, gaining 845 ft to reach the peak and stunning 360 views. The moderate trail is built into the cliffside with railings. Next, we’ll cross the road to hike a well-maintained trail through lush forest to Pool of the Winds, where a waterfall creates a whirlpool that gives off a constant cool breeze, and forms a rainbow when the sun hits it just right!
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*Scholarships are automatically applied for all students with financial need as documented with the L&C financial aid office. You qualify if you have any Federal Work Study (Lewis & Clark work study does not qualify), Federally subsidized loans (unsubsidized loans do not qualify), Pell Grants, LC/UWC Grants, or International Student Grants. Merit scholarships do not qualify. If you aren’t sure whether or not you qualify, you can come into the office and we can take a look for you.
If you qualify, the trip fee is automatically cut in half thanks to scholarship funding from ASB.
How to Sign Up:
To register for a trip, use the Button above for each specific trip, or stop by the College Outdoors office in Fowler 239.
Registration is all first-paid, first-served. We accept cash, credit/debit cards, and apple/samsung/google pay.
Cancelation Policy:
If you need to cancel your registration, please do so with as much notice as possible so that others can attend the trip. You will receive a full refund if the trip sells out. You may also be eligible for a refund if you are sick or injured, if you provide an official note from a healthcare provider.
Please note that if you cancel later than midday Thursdays for trips that same weekend, any meals deducted from your meal plan for the trip cannot be returned because the food has already been picked up from Bon Appetit.
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Rigor level:
- Rigorous
No experience necessary! All of our trips are designed to teach you all the necessary skills required for this activity.
- Mellow: Outings designed for anyone who wants to get outdoors in a leisurely manner. Terrain or activity will be gentle and the energy will be more calm.
- Moderate: Trips with more physical effort and opportunities for “challenge by choice.” Build your confidence in the outdoors, pushing yourself in a supportive environment.
- Rigorous: High-energy trips, exploring varied landscapes through adventurous activities. While rigor level is high, still no experience is required!
Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
This guide outlines the minimum physical and emotional requirements that must be met by each participant on College Outdoors trips. While we aim to accommodate all students, if the Essential Eligibility Criteria are not met, your safety and overall success may be compromised. Find out more (PDF). For any questions about accommodations, please contact us at outdoors@lclark.edu.
- ☐ Sleeping indoors
- ☐ Sleeping outdoors
- ☐ Electricity
- ☐ Wifi
- ☑ Cell phone service
- ☐ Heating
- ☐ Beds
- ☑ Bathrooms
- ☐ Gender-inclusive bathrooms
- ☐ Showers
- ☐ Wheelchair accessible
- ☐ Food for any Dietary Restrictions
College Outdoors trips have a Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM) prior to the trip to help you prepare, which takes place at the Sequoia warehouse on the Graduate Campus.
At this meeting you’ll meet the trip leaders and other participants, learn more about the trip activity, location, and schedule, and be given a packing list of everything you need for your trip. The trip leaders and Sequoia staff will then help you find and borrow anything on the packing list that you’d like to borrow. We have high-quality outdoor clothing and equipment, and it’s all free to use for your trip!
If you miss a Pre-Trip Meeting, check your email for important info you missed.
Sequoia is the College Outdoors warehouse, located on the Graduate Campus. Everything you’ll need is available for free when you come on a College Outdoors Trip. At Sequoia you will find:
- Clothing needed for your trip, including any relevant outerwear and specialty items needed for the activity. Sizes range from XS - XXL and come in gendered an non-gendered designs.
- Gear needed for your trip, such as sleeping bags, backpacks, water bottles, and much much more.
- Equipment such as tents, cookware, first-aid kits, and boats, which trip leaders will pack for each trip as needed.
- Gender-neutral bathrooms, which can also be used as changing rooms.
- Staff available to answer your questions.
All trip participants and leaders are expected to follow CO policies, which you can see here. This document includes info on healthy practices, water/swimming policies, environmental safety, community standards, and leader responsibilities.
College Outdoors is located in room 239 of Fowler Student Center on the Undergraduate Campus.
email outdoors@lclark.edu
voice 503-768-7116
Director Kori Campbell
College Outdoors
Lewis & Clark
615 S. Palatine Hill Road
Portland OR 97219