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Lava Beds PCT Posted by drm (2007-07-20)

While it's not exactly spectacular, hiking right next to the lava beds does provide a different hiking experience if you want something different. This generally flat section of the PCT is right on the edge, so there is a contrast of the normal forest to your right (while hiking south) and the stunted forest to the left. The black boulder field lava beds do occasionally have outcrops sticking above the forest. If you want to clamber on them, you have to be careful as this is that highly coarse kind of rock that scrapes very easily. The trail follows the edge of the lava beds for about 3 miles. Continue on to Big Huckelberry Mtn or head back any time. I read that the lava can mess up compasses, but mine seemed to be reading fine, though I wouldn't have known if it was pulled off just a bit. To get to the trailhead at Crest Camp, go north on the Wind River Rd from Carson on Washington hwy 14. Shortly past Carson, turn right on Old State Hwy and immediately left on Panther Creek Rd. Go 12 miles on that one lane paved road (and pass Panther Creek campground, very nice for car camping) to the Four Corners Junction. Turn right for two miles on a very well graded gravel road to the trailhead. The lava beds are south and this is also the trailhead going north to the Indian Racetrack area of the Indian Heaven Wilderness. From what everybody says, it should be called Mosquito Heaven Wilderness. But there were none along the lava beds.

Re: Lava Beds PCT Posted by joerunner (2007-07-20)

The picture reminds me of sections of the Loowit trail on St Helens.  That is some fun scrambling.

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