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Southwest Washington Hikes

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

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Contents

Puget Trough


Hike Difficulty Distance Elevation Change Notes
Vancouver Area
Vancouver Discovery Loop Hike Easy 4.4 130 A loop hike which traces the history of Anglo-American discovery and settlement in the area
Burnt Bridge Creek Hike Easy 8.1 180 Easy, 8-mile paved greenway in a pretty valley; described in three sections
Ellen Davis Trail Hike Easy 5.2 420 Wind up and around low hills in central Vancouver
Columbia Springs Hike Easy 3.1 165 Explore a network of trails east and west of the Vancouver Fish Hatchery
Salmon Creek Hike Moderate 9.1 185 Walk along the wetlands and up a forested stream at Salmon Creek
Cougar Trails Loop Hike Easy 2.6 230 Loop down to Mill Creek at the WSU Vancouver Campus
Whipple Creek Loop Hike Easy 3.1 300 Wind in and out of gullies in this 300-acre forest


I-5 Corridor
Paradise Point Loop Hike Easy 1.8 240 Swampy bottomland and forested slope hike on East Fork Lewis River
La Center Bottoms Hike Easy 2.2 10 Hike along the East Fork Lewis River and extensive wetlands
Lake Sacajawea Loop Hike Easy 3.6 35 Hike around a lake and arboretum in the center of Longview
Silver Lake-Seaquest Loop Hike Easy 4.5 530 Take a short loop through a wetland and then hike lush woods at Seaquest State Park
Lewis and Clark State Park Loop Hike Easy 4.8 340 Two loops through lush old-growth lowland forest
Mima Mounds Loop Hike Easy 3.2 30 Short loops around the mysterious phenomenon of symmetrical mounds in a wildflower prairie
Millersylvania Loop Hike Easy 3.9 180 State park loop along a lakeshore, through wetlands, and under towering old growth


Ridgefield Area
Gee Creek Ridge Loop Hike Easy 1.8 185 Walk along a forested path in Ridgefield that descends to Gee Creek
Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge Hike Easy 2.0 40 Easy stroll with waterfowl, deer, and wildflowers
Gee Creek Bottomland Hike Easy 3.8 85 Explore a quiet part of the Ridgefield Refuge with oak groves and scabland lakes
Kiwa Trail Loop Hike Easy 1.2 0 Short seasonal birdwatching loop around sloughs and marshes


Camas Area
Mill Ditch to Round Lake Hike Easy 6.4 685 Walk along a working aqueduct to its source at Round Lake
Lacamas Heritage Trail Hike Easy 7.0 30 Flat hike along the west shore of Lacamas Lake
Round Lake Loop Hike Easy 1.5 100 Walk around scenic Round Lake
Lacamas Park Lily Field Hike Easy 2.3 100 Camas and fawn lilies in season
Woodburn Falls Hike Easy 2.0 200 Short hike to an attractive waterfall in deep woods
Lacamas Creek Hike Easy 4.3 300 See two waterfalls and a lake without leaving town
Washougal River Greenway Loop Hike Easy 2.6 70 Loop around a section of the Washougal River using a new footbridge


Washougal Area
Columbia River Dike Hike Easy 6.4 30 Walk above the Columbia to get views and observe wildlife
Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge Hike Easy 2.8 0 Refuge hike with art and interpretive signs


Yacolt Burn


Hike Difficulty Distance Elevation Change Notes
Tarbell Trail
Tarbell Trail to Hidden Falls Hike Moderate 10.4 1415 Hike with some views of surrounding peaks to a secluded waterfall
Larch Mountain via Cold Creek Hike Moderate 11.6 2300 Ascending hike through secondary forest to Larch Mountain's summit
Larch Mountain via Grouse Vista Hike Moderate 5.4 1205 Hike to a sweeping viewpoint and then up to the top of Larch Mountain


Silver Star Mountain
Silver Star Mountain Hike Moderate 5.6 1240 Shortest climb to the summit of Silver Star using an old jeep track
Silver Star Mountain Loop Hike (via Ed's Trail) Moderate 5.7 1460 Take Ed's Trail through a natural arch to Silver Star
Silver Star Mountain via Grouse Vista Hike Moderate 6.0 2010 Most common route to Silver Star on a rubbly road track
Silver Star Mountain via Sturgeon Rock Loop Hike Moderate 7.4 2440 Loop to two summits with expansive views: Mt. Rainier to the Three Sisters!
Silver Star Mountain via Bluff Mountain Hike Difficult 12.4 1660 Longer, ridgeline hike to the summit; bursting with wildflowers in early summer
Silver Star Mountain via Starway Trail Hike Moderate 9.8 2790 Little-traveled trail up the east ridge of the Star Creek valley


Rock Creek Area
Stebbins Creek to Three Corner Rock Hike Difficult 18.2 4490 Take the Three Corner Rock Trail from the Washougal River to an expansive viewpoint
Sedum Ridge Loop Hike Moderate 12.4 3535 Hike an unmaintained trail to an old lookout site and return via the PCT
Snag Creek Loop Hike Difficult 10.4 2310 Obscure route, using an abandoned trail, a road, and then the PCT, to access views from Mowich Butte
Three Corner Rock from Snag Creek Hike Moderate 11.4 2440 Take the PCT to Three Corner Rock, crossing Snag Creek and Rock Creek
Three Corner Rock Hike Moderate 4.2 1200 Shorter hike using the PCT to get to Three Corner Rock


Wind River Area


Hike Difficulty Distance Elevation Change Notes
Wind River Area
Bunker Hill Hike Moderate 5.8 1310 Take a flat stretch of the PCT to a vigorous climb up to a former lookout site
Whistle Punk Trail Hike Easy 1.5 100 Interpretive loop trail dedicated to the logging days of old
Falls Creek Falls Loop Hike Moderate 6.2 1250 Forested hike to a thundering waterfall
McClellan Meadows Hike Moderate 6.8 815 Walk on gently sloping terrain to one of the largest meadows in the area


Big Huckleberry Mountain
Grassy Knoll Hike Moderate 4.2 1280 Hike to a spectacular wildflower meadow with expansive views
Big Huckleberry Mountain Hike Difficult 11.8 2935 Hike along a ridge of wildflower meadows to a former lookout site


Trapper Creek Wilderness
Trapper Creek Wilderness Loop Hike Difficult 14.5 3575 Loop around the wilderness that includes waterfalls, old growth, and a high viewpoint
Soda Peaks Lake via Trapper Creek Hike Difficult 10.2 3110 Steep hike through old growth to a secluded cirque lake
Observation Peak via Big Hollow Hike Moderate 10.4 2755 Hike up an old growth slope to a scenic viewpoint; extending to Sister Rocks is an option
Sister Rocks Hike Easy 3.9 750 Short hike to a rocky viewpoint over the Trapper Creek Wilderness
Observation Peak Hike Moderate 5.6 1400 Hike into this tiny wilderness from the north side for spectacular views
Observation Peak-Rim Trail Loop Hike Moderate 8.4 2680 Loop using primitive trails, sometimes hard to follow, in the Trapper Creek Wilderness
Soda Peaks Lake West Hike Moderate 4.4 1270 Longer drive and higher trailhead, but much shorter hike to this quiet wilderness lake


Lewis River Area


Hike Difficulty Distance Elevation Change Notes
East Fork Lewis River
Battle Ground Lake Loop Hike Easy 0.9 20 Popular walk around the lake
Lewisville Park Loop Hike Easy 2.8 140 Loop along the East Fork in Clark County's oldest park
Lucia Falls Loop Hike Easy 1.1 20 Lazy walk to a small waterfall
Moulton Falls Hike Easy 5.9 260 Hike up the East Fork to a gorge and a couple of waterfalls
Yacolt Falls Hike Easy 0.6 60 Short hike to a beautiful waterfall
Bells Mountain Hike Difficult 15.6 3040 Undulating hike through secondary forest and clearcuts and then along a quiet creek
Lookout and Little Lookout Mountains Hike Difficult 10.6 3050 Hike along the East Fork and then up to outstanding viewpoints


Siouxon Creek Area
Siouxon Creek Hike Moderate 8.2 1615 Lovely creek and waterfall hike in lush forest
Horseshoe Ridge Loop Hike Difficult 12.1 3405 Remote ridge loop to a stand of old growth, returning via Siouxon Creek
Huffman Peak Loop Hike Difficult 13.3 4205 Use two deep fords to access a high ridge with several viewpoints
Siouxon Peak Loop Hike Difficult 17.1 4730 Hike up to the high ridge above the Siouxon to get expansive views
Upper Siouxon Creek Loop Hike Difficult 11.9 3525 Steep descent into an uncrowded and beautiful section of Siouxon Creek


North Siouxon Creek Area
North Siouxon Creek Hike Moderate 10.4 1815 Hike to Black Hole Falls on rugged North Siouxon Creek
Featured.GIF Mount Mitchell Hike Moderate 5.0 2050 View to a rocky summit with great mountain views


Lewis River Valley
Curly Creek Falls Hike Easy 0.4 10 Easiest of strolls to two waterfall viewpoints
Lewis River Traverse Hike Moderate 10.0 1260 One-way hike through old-growth bottomlands and above a narrow gorge
Big Creek Falls Hike Easy 1.4 180 Hike gently downhill to the top of Big Creek Falls
Spencer Butte via Cussed Hollow Loop Hike Difficult 14.1 3475 Loop from the Lewis River up to Spencer Butte; descent via the obscure Bluff Trail
Featured.GIF Lewis River Waterfall Hike Moderate 6.6 320 Three wide, complicated waterfalls
Middle Lewis River Falls Loop Hike Easy 1.4 190 Easy loop viewing two small waterfalls and a major one
Wright Meadow Hike Moderate 9.6 2625 Hike up through old growth to an expansive meadow


Mount St. Helens


Hike Difficulty Distance Elevation Change Notes
Kalama River Area
Cinnamon Ridge Loop Hike Difficult 14.1 2950 Loop along river and ridge with old growth trees and then many viewpoints
Fossil Trail Loop Hike Difficult 12.4 3300 Loop into remote old growth using horse and ski trails; some unmaintained sections of trail
Goat Marsh Lake Hike Easy 1.5 80 Hike into noble fir old growth near marshy wetlands in a scientific research area
Blue Lake Horse Loop Hike Easy 5.2 560 Gentle hike taking in a lake, old growth, lush meadows, and a large debris slide
Sheep Canyon Loop Hike Moderate 11.3 2535 Classic St. Helens loop taking in alpine meadows, debris flows, and old growth forest
Mount Saint Helens via Butte Camp Hike Difficult 13.2 5305 Use the old southern ascent route to reach the high point on Mt. St. Helens


Forest Road 83
Trail of Two Forests Loop Hike Easy 0.3 30 See and even crawl through tree molds from a 2,000 year-old lava flow
Ape Cave Hike Easy 2.0 180 Exploring the Lower Cave is fun for all; the more difficult Upper Cave is a loop of 2.7 miles
Mount Saint Helens Hike Difficult 9.6 4665 Steep hike to the crater rim of Mount St. Helens.
June Lake Hike Easy 2.5 400 Short hike to a waterfall spilling into a small lake.
Pine Creek Hike Easy 0.8 90 Stroll to a restored shelter with option for a short extension
Ape Canyon Hike Moderate 11.0 2485 Magnificent hike up an old-growth ridge to the Plains of Abraham
Lava Canyon Loop Hike Easy 1.5 500 Recently re-constructed loop trail with informative signboards about the dramatic geological events that formed the canyon.
Lava Canyon from Smith Creek Hike Moderate 6.5 1500 Hike through a spectacular basalt canyon unearthed by the 1980 blast.


Coldwater Lake Area
Coldwater Lake Loop Hike Moderate 11.8 1840 Hike along this new lake's north shore and then below the spine of the South Coldwater Ridge
Hummocks Loop Hike Easy 2.7 100 Interpretive loop through revegetating area "bombed" by the 5/18/80 eruption
Coldwater Peak from South Coldwater Hike Difficult 14.0 3420 Beautiful hike through the blast zone to the top of a denuded peak
Johnston Ridge Hike Moderate 10.4 1830 Blast zone hike with two interpretive trails and views to the crater most of the way


Indian Heaven Wilderness


Hike Difficulty Distance Elevation Change Notes
Eastern Indian Heaven Trailheads
Indian Racetrack via the PCT Hike Moderate 8.0 850 Gradual hike in woods and meadows to the Racetrack
Red Mountain Add-on Hike Easy 1.6 705 Hike from the Indian Racetrack to a lookout atop a cinder cone
Tombstone Lake via the PCT Hike Difficult 16.4 2280 Walk Indian Heaven's backbone to a secluded lake; optional return via the old CCT described
Junction Lake Hike Easy 5.0 725 Short hike to a popular lake in the center of Indian Heaven
Lake Wapiki Hike Moderate 7.0 1625 Gradually rising hike through huckleberries to a beautiful lake
Lemei Rock via Lemei Trail Hike Moderate 9.2 2285 Hike to and consider scrambling up an ancient volcanic crag
Junction Lake from Cultus Creek Campground Hike Moderate 8.4 1310 Hike deeper into the heart of Indian Heaven Wilderness
Cultus Lake from Cultus Creek Campground Hike Moderate 4.8 1010 Hike into the heart of Indian Heaven Wilderness


Western Indian Heaven Trailheads
Indian Racetrack Hike Easy 4.6 760 Visit the site of an abandoned racetrack
Basin Lakes Loop Hike Moderate 9.1 1795 Take an abandoned trail to a secluded collection of lakes (experienced hikers only)
Featured.GIF Blue Lake Hike Moderate 6.6 700 Stunning hike through meadows past a half dozen lakes
Acker Lake Loop Hike Moderate 10.1 860 Use an abandoned route to make a loop taking in meadows and lakes
Chenamus Lake Hike Easy 4.1 485 Visit two lakes and gather huckleberries in late summer!
Placid Lake Loop Hike Moderate 10.1 1460 Take advantage of an abandoned trail to make a loop taking in lakes and meadows
Wood Lake via Sawtooth Mountain Hike Moderate 9.2 2190 Get views from the rugged slopes of Sawtooth Mountain before dropping to a secluded lake


White Salmon River Area


Hike Difficulty Distance Elevation Change Notes
Monte Cristo Range
Little Huckleberry Mountain Hike Moderate 5.0 1840 Hike to an old lookout site above the Big Lava Bed with views of Cascade peaks
Monte Carlo-Monte Cristo Loop Hike Difficult 11.8 4070 Loop hike on little-traveled trails to two summits in the Monte Cristo Range
Monte Carlo-Monte Cristo Hike Moderate 5.8 1940 Two wildflower summits with views on the edge of the Gifford Pinchot


Buck Creek Area
Buck Creek Falls Loop Hike Easy 2.8 1090 Short springtime loop up a creek and along wildflower slopes
Nestor Peak Hike Moderate 8.0 2980 Spring wildflower hike to a former lookout site with views
Penny Ridge to Monte Carlo Hike Difficult 15.2 3455 Hike old road beds up a ridge for wildflowers and some views
Monte Carlo via Middle Fork Grove Hike Moderate 6.3 1860 Hike through a remnant stand of old growth to a mile-long wildflower ridge


Husum Area
Weldon Wagon Road Hike Moderate 5.2 1210 Gradual hike on historic settler route across blooming slopes and into white oak woods
Rattlesnake Falls Hike Easy 2.5 525 Easy walk to one scenic waterfall and then a scramble down to another
Willard Springs Loop Hike Easy 2.3 55 Stroll through ponderosa pine woods and next to wetlands in a wildlife refuge


Mount Adams


Hike Difficulty Distance Elevation Change Notes
Trout Lake Creek Drainage
Sleeping Beauty Hike Moderate 3.0 1430 Short, steep trail up a basalt knoll with expansive views


West Mount Adams
Salt Creek Hike Moderate 8.4 730 Little-hiked trail past beaver marshes to a debris flow and view of Mount Adams
Lookingglass Lake via Stagman Ridge Hike Moderate 10.8 2415 Lollipop loop with wildflower meadows and views on the slopes of Mount Adams
Horseshoe Meadows-Lookingglass Lake Loop Hike Moderate 13.2 2000 Alpine area on southwest side of Mount Adams.
Featured.GIF Adams Glacier Meadows Hike Moderate 8.2 2250 Premier alpine area on Mount Adams. Can be busy but there's a large enough area to disperse crowds.
Foggy Flat Hike Difficult 22.2 1550 Less busy alpine area on Mount Adams. Continue an extra few miles to Devil's Garden.


South Mount Adams
Lookingglass Lake via Shorthorn Trail Hike Moderate 11.8 2495 Route across debris slide territory and through a burn to a secluded lake
Mount Adams Summit Hike Difficult 12.4 6740 Hike up steep slopes to the summit of Washington's second highest peak
A.G. Aiken Lava Bed Loop Hike Difficult 14.7 3235 Loop up around a relatively recent lava flow and descend into old growth


Mt. Adams Recreation Area (Yakama Nation)
Bird Creek Meadows Loop Hike Moderate 6.2 1000 Easy hike to subalpine meadows and a great viewpoint on southeast side of Mount Adams
Sunrise Camp Hike Difficult 10.8 3140 Take a mountain climbers' trail to over 8,000 feet on Mt. Adams
Heart Lake Hike Easy 2.0 150 Secluded lake near Hellroaring Meadows and Little Mt. Adams
Little Mount Adams Hike Difficult 6.9 2030 Follow an abandoned trail to a spectacular cinder cone


Goat Rocks Wilderness


Hike Difficulty Distance Elevation Change Notes
Goat Rocks Wilderness
Goat Rocks Traverse Difficult 25 6500 See the spectacular Goat Rocks from one end to the other
Goat Lake Loop Hike Difficult 12.8 2590 Loop hike to Goat Lake basin that makes a good overnight backpack
South Tieton Hike Difficult 17.6 1860 Back side of Goat Rocks, nice alpine area far away from Portland and Seattle


Mount Rainier Area


Hike Difficulty Distance Elevation Change Notes
Mount Rainier National Park
Spray Park Hike Moderate 7.4 2610 Hike to alpine meadows with expansive views via a spectacular waterfall
Tolmie Lookout via Eunice Lake Hike Moderate 6.6 1640 Pleasant hike to a high lake and then a lookout with views
Burroughs Mountain Hike Moderate 6.2 1300 Hike from Sunrise for expansive views of mountain and glacier


See Southwest area hikes and destinations in our Southwest Washington index

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