Bunker Hill rises above a meadow (cfm)

Take this hike after the first rains of the fall to collect chanterelles (cfm)

• Start point: Trout Creek Trailhead (WA)
• End point: Bunker Hill Summit
• Hike Type: Out and Back or Shuttle
• Distance: 6 miles
• Elevation gain: 1500 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Seasons: Year round
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: Yes
• Crowded: No

Hike Description

The Bunker Hill Trail is a short spur trail that branches off the PCT near Wind River in the small town of Hemlock. Since the PCT crosses several roads in this area, there are many options for including this in an out and back hike, a shuttle or a backpacking trip.

This description is for a 6 mile out and back trip beginning at the Trout Creek Trailhead. The starting point is where the PCT crosses FS 43. Take the trail heading east-across from the footbridge. The first half of the trail is flat and travels through an open old growth forest, passing a part of the Wind River Experimental station's field plots. After a mile and half, you cross gravel road 417 at a hairpin turn, and enter the large grassy meadows below Bunker Hill. Coyote and elk have been spotted in the meadow on early mornings.

The trail goes across the meadow into an alder woodland, and soon the elevation change begins. After a half mile, the forest is again dominated by Douglas-fir, and you will come to an unmarked fork in the trail. The left fork is the Bunker Hill Trail, the right fork is the continuation of the PCT which reaches Szydlo Road in a mile. Head left at the fork uphill for another 1.2 miles via a series of switchbacks to reach the summit of Bunker Hill.

Instead of taking the trail all the way to the top, at the last switchback, look for an obvious rock pinnacle which provides a great viewpoint to the northeast up the Wind River Valley. From here, you can easily scramble up the ridge westerly to the summit, which is completely forested. The true summit is the site of a former lookout, and 5 cement blocks remain to indicate its presence, however there are no views here.

Shuttle possibilities-Szydlo Road, Wind River Road, Panther Creek Horse staging area.

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder

Regulations or Restrictions, etc.

• None

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Contributors

• CFM (creator)