Upper East Larch Mountain Road in the Columbia River Gorge is now open for recreational access. Every autumn the county closes the upper portion of the road by installing a snow gate near milepost 10. The closure protects the traveling public from severe weather conditions and reduces snow removal maintenance costs. The gate is opened each spring. This year, the road reopened later than normal due to heavy snowfall late into the season.
East Larch Mountain Road is the highest road in Multnomah County, reaching an altitude of 4055 feet. At the road’s summit there is a parking lot for visitors to the Sherrard Point lookout. The snow gate is at an elevation of approximately 2300 feet. Multnomah County maintains Larch Mountain Road and 269 miles of roads. For more information, visit /roads/larch-mountain-road.