Southwest Washington Hikes
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Western Lowlands
- Yacolt Burn
- Lewis River Area
- Mount St. Helens
- Wind River Area
- Indian Heaven Wilderness
- White Salmon River Area
- Mount Adams
- Goat Rocks Wilderness
- Mount Rainier Area
- North of Rainier Area
Contents |
Western Lowlands
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Vancouver Area | |||||
Vancouver Discovery Loop Hike | Easy | 4.9 | 130 | A loop hike which traces the history of Anglo-American discovery and settlement in the area | |
Waterfront Renaissance Trail Hike | Moderate | 10.8 | 75 | Walk along the Columbia from downtown Vancouver to Wintler Park passing numerous historic locations | |
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 | 3.2 | 410 | Hike trails around a 300-acre forest on Whipple Creek near the county fairgrounds | |
Vancouver Lake-Frenchmans Bar Hike | Easy | 10.5 | 10 | Paved and gravel trails between Vancouver Lake and the Columbia River |
Ridgefield Area | |||||
Gee Creek Ridge Loop Hike | Easy | 1.8 | 185 | Walk along a forested path in Ridgefield that descends to Gee Creek | |
Oaks to Wetlands Loop Hike | Easy | 1.7 | 80 | Easy loop through a recovering oak savanna | |
Carty Lake Hike | Easy | 2.8 | 60 | Explore the west shore of Carty Lake in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge | |
Kiwa Trail Loop Hike | Easy | 1.2 | 0 | Short seasonal birdwatching loop around sloughs and marshes |
I-5 Corridor: La Center to Centralia | |||||
Paradise Point Loop Hike | Easy | 1.8 | 240 | Swampy bottomland and forested slope hike on East Fork Lewis River | |
La Center Loop Hike | Easy | 4.2 | 310 | Hike above wetlands on the East Fork Lewis River; then loop through La Center via Brezee Creek | |
Lake Sacajawea Loop Hike | Easy | 3.6 | 35 | Hike around a lake and arboretum in the center of Longview | |
Castle Rock Riverfront Hike | Easy | 3.5 | 150 | Paved trail along the Cowlitz River in Castle Rock | |
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 | |
Seminary Hill Loop Hike | Easy | 1.4 | 360 | Forested hike through a natural area in Centralia | |
Chehalis River Discovery Loop Hike | Easy | 4.0 | 10 | Level grassy walk along the Chehalis River near Centralia |
I-5 Corridor: Centralia to Nisqually | |||||
Mima Mounds Loop Hike | Easy | 3.2 | 30 | Short loops around the mysterious phenomenon of symmetrical mounds in a wildflower prairie | |
Mima Falls Loop Hike | Moderate | 6.5 | 795 | Loop in the lush lowland forest of the Black Hills to a small waterfall | |
Bob Bammert Grove Hike | Easy | 1.2 | 315 | Hike up above Mima Creek to a grove of old-growth Douglas-firs | |
Millersylvania Loop Hike | Easy | 3.9 | 180 | State park loop along a lakeshore, through wetlands, and under towering old growth | |
Tumwater Falls Loop Hike | Easy | 0.9 | 90 | Leafy loop past three waterfalls on the Deschutes River | |
Tumwater Historical Park Loop Hike | Easy | 1.8 | 45 | Visit historic buildings and follow a trail to the Middle Basin | |
Watershed Park Loop Hike | Easy | 1.5 | 85 | Forested loop around Moxlie Creek near I-5 | |
Capitol Lake Loop Hike | Easy | 2.5 | 100 | Walk around a large reflecting pool and up to Washington's Capitol Campus | |
Grass Lake Loop Hike | Easy | 1.7 | 55 | Visit a lake and marsh in suburban Olympia | |
Nisqually Wildlife Refuge Hike | Easy | 4.1 | 0 | Go birdwatching and get views of Mt. Rainier and the Olympics from the Nisqually Estuary |
Brush Prairie/Battle Ground | |||||
Groth-Norene Preserves Loop Hike | Easy | 1.8 | 30 | Two connected loops in protected patches of forest | |
Gordy Jolma Loop Hike | Easy | 4.3 | 85 | Old golf course repurposed as a natural area | |
Salmon-Morgan Creeks Loop Hike | Easy | 1.5 | 60 | Two short loops above a creek confluence in cedar forest | |
Battle Ground Lake Loop Hike | Easy | 2.1 | 205 | Walk around a small crater lake and its forested rim |
Camas | |||||
Washougal River Greenway Loop Hike | Easy | 2.6 | 70 | Loop around a section of the Washougal River using a new footbridge | |
Mill Ditch to Round Lake Hike | Moderate | 6.4 | 685 | Walk along a working aqueduct to its source at Round Lake | |
Fallen Leaf Lake Hike | Moderate | 4.1 | 600 | Hike a maze of forest trails above Fallen Leaf Lake in Camas | |
Lacamas Heritage Trail Hike | Easy | 7.0 | 30 | Flat hike along the west shore of Lacamas Lake | |
Round Lake Loop Hike | Easy | 1.4 | 140 | Loop walk around a scenic lake | |
Lacamas Creek Loop Hike | Moderate | 4.1 | 670 | Loop hike including a lovely creek, three waterfalls, an interesting gorge, and camas fields | |
Prune Hill Loop Hike | Moderate | 7.5 | 800 | Walk up, down, and around Prune Hill in Camas | |
Green Mountain West Hike | Moderate | 3.3 | 520 | Forested route up a suburban Boring volcano | |
Green Mountain East Loop Hike | Moderate | 5.6 | 645 | Old roads and trails on a legacy lands property north of Camas |
Washougal | |||||
Washougal Waterfront Hike | Easy | 2.1 | 45 | Walk under cottonwoods, get views of Mt. Hood, and visit a historic site | |
Columbia River Dike Hike | Easy | 8.2 | 30 | Walk above the Columbia to get views and observe wildlife | |
Steigerwald Lake Refuge Loop Hike | Easy | 4.0 | 30 | Take a new levee to join a loop through seasonal wetlands | |
Washougal River Park Hike | Easy | 3.3 | 305 | Leafy walk on old logging road with access to Washougal River |
Yacolt Burn
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Tarbell Trail | |||||
Tarbell Loop Hike | Difficult | 23.5 | 4095 | Take the Tarbell Trail to the top of Larch Mountain and down across Cold Creek and Rock Creek | |
Tarbell Trail to Hidden Falls Hike | Moderate | 10.4 | 1415 | Hike with some views of surrounding peaks to a secluded waterfall | |
Silver Shadow Loop Hike | Moderate | 7.2 | 1255 | Lollipop loop from Rock Creek using a new connector trail | |
Appaloosa Loop Hike | Moderate | 11.6 | 1740 | Hike up from Rock Creek to Hidden Falls and then complete a loop | |
Sixth Sense Loop Hike | Moderate | 7.0 | 1280 | Loop up along Cold Creek and down Larch Mountain's northwest ridge. | |
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 | |
Hidden Falls from Grouse Vista Hike | Moderate | 10.3 | 1845 | Hike to Hidden Falls along the west slopes of Silver Star 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 via Ed's Trail Loop Hike | Moderate | 5.7 | 1460 | Take Ed's Trail through a natural arch to Silver Star | |
Silver Star South Ridge Hike | Difficult | 8.2 | 3105 | More elevation gain on a little-followed jeep track to Silver Star's summit | |
Silver Star Mountain via Grouse Vista Hike | Moderate | 6.0 | 2010 | Most common route to Silver Star on a rubbly road track | |
Silver Star-Pyramid Rock Loop Hike | Moderate | 7.2 | 2115 | Come down from Silver Star on the east side of the ridge | |
Silver Star-Chinook Trail Loop Hike | Difficult | 13.2 | 2985 | Big loop using the summit ridge of Silver Star Mountain | |
Silver Star Mountain via Bluff Mountain Hike | Moderate | 11.6 | 2450 | Longer, open ridgeline hike to the summit; bursting with wildflowers in early summer | |
Silver Star Mountain via Starway Trail Hike | Difficult | 9.4 | 3850 | Little-traveled obscure 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 | |
Birkenfeld Mountain via Three Corner Rock Hike | Difficult | 11.4 | 2325 | Hike the PCT to Three Corner Rock and then bushwhack up Birkenfeld Mountain |
Lewis River Area
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
East Fork Lewis River | |||||
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 | 90 | Short loop to a small waterfall in a rocky gorge | |
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 | 80 | Short hike to a beautiful waterfall; loop possible in summer | |
Bells Mountain North Slope Loop Hike | Moderate | 6.8 | 700 | Loop up through secondary forest; return via Moulton Falls Trail | |
Sword Fern Way Loop Hike | Moderate | 8.4 | 1785 | A loop off the Bells Mountain Trail takes you to the summit of Bells Mountain | |
Bells Mountain Hike | Difficult | 16.3 | 3040 | Undulating hike through secondary forest and clearcuts and then along a quiet creek | |
Summit Springs Trail Hike | Moderate | 5.8 | 1750 | Uphill hike in the Yacolt Burn to a ridge top viewpoint | |
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 | 10.2 | 2995 | 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 | |
Mount Mitchell Hike | Moderate | 5.0 | 2050 | Trail closed | |
Mount Mitchell via Sugarloaf Trail Hike | Moderate | 7.9 | 1920 | Alternative trail to the views at the summit of Mount Mitchell |
Lewis River Reservoirs | |||||
Lower Marble Creek Falls Hike | Easy | 1.2 | 70 | Hike along an old road to a viewpoint of a small waterfall | |
Beaver Bay Hike | Easy | 3.9 | 195 | Hike above wetlands and the shore of Yale Lake between two campgrounds | |
Yale Reservoir IP Road Hike | Easy | 7.3 | 120 | Flat hike along the east shore of Yale Lake using an old haul road |
Upper Lewis River | |||||
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 | Moderate | 1.4 | 180 | Now abandoned trail to a view of Big Creek Falls | |
Speed Trail Hike | Easy | 2.0 | 680 | Descend to the Lewis River through lush old growth; it's all uphill on the way back! | |
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 | |
Lewis River Waterfalls Hike | Moderate | 6.6 | 500 | Hike past four wide picturesque waterfalls and two minor ones | |
Wright Meadow Hike | Moderate | 9.6 | 2625 | Hike up through old growth to an expansive meadow | |
Quartz Creek Hike | Moderate | 9.2 | 2010 | Trail with unbridged creek crossings through streamside old growth |
Mount St. Helens
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Kalama River Area | |||||
Merrill Lake Loop Hike | Easy | 0.9 | 145 | Interpretive loop through old growth on the east shore of Merrill Lake | |
Kalama Falls via Road 7500 Hike | Easy | 4.6 | 350 | Walk a road and then trails to visit Kalama Falls | |
Kalama Waterfalls Hike | Moderate | 9.9 | 790 | Gently graded trail to waterfalls on the Kalama River | |
Cinnamon Ridge Loop Hike | Difficult | 14.1 | 2950 | Loop along river and ridge with old growth trees and then many viewpoints | |
Kalama River-Goat Marsh Lake Loop Hike | Moderate | 13.9 | 1435 | Gently graded exploration of the Kalama River and two lakes | |
Fossil Trail Loop Hike | Difficult | 12.9 | 2000 | Loop into remote old growth using horse trails, ski trails, and old road beds | |
Goat Marsh Lake Hike | Easy | 1.5 | 80 | Hike into noble fir old growth near marshy wetlands in a scientific research area | |
Blue 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 | 12.1 | 2975 | Classic St. Helens loop taking in alpine meadows, debris flows, and old growth forest | |
Butte Camp Dome Loop Hike | Difficult | 14.3 | 3630 | Bigger loop on the southwest flanks of Mt. St. Helens | |
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 | |
Volcano Viewpoint Hike | Easy | 1.7 | 410 | Hike up to a view of Mt. St. Helens from the Ape Cave Trailhead | |
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 | 440 | Short hike to a small lake backed by a waterfall | |
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 | |
Upper Lava Canyon Hike | Easy | 1.2 | 330 | Informative trail about the dramatic geological events that formed Lava Canyon | |
Lava Canyon to The Ship Hike | Moderate | 3.9 | 945 | Hike down the Muddy River Gorge past six waterfalls | |
Lava Canyon-Old Road 83 Loop Hike | Moderate | 7.5 | 1320 | Loop down the spectacular Muddy River Gorge and return via an abandoned road | |
Lava Canyon from Smith Creek Hike | Moderate | 5.8 | 1240 | Hike up a spectacular basalt canyon scoured out by the 1980 blast |
Coldwater 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 | |
Harrys Ridge Hike | Moderate | 8.5 | 1830 | Hike around the Devils Elbow and over The Spillover to an expansive viewpoint | |
Coldwater Peak Hike | Difficult | 11.6 | 3160 | Hike to the top of Coldwater Peak taking in stunning views in all directions | |
Loowit Falls via Truman Trail Hike | Difficult | 14.6 | 2470 | Make your way across the Pumice Plain to a waterfall plunging over the Sasquatch Steps |
Windy Ridge | |||||
Meta Lake Hike | Easy | 0.7 | 10 | Interpretive trails to a blast zone lake and the Miner's Car | |
Spirit Lake Hike | Easy | 2.4 | 545 | Hike down to the log-choked shore of Spirit Lake | |
Plains of Abraham Loop Hike | Moderate | 8.4 | 1390 | Scenic open loop on the east side of Mt. St. Helens |
From Norway Pass | |||||
Norway Pass Hike | Easy | 4.2 | 855 | Short blast zone hike to a view of Mt. St. Helens and Spirit Lake | |
Panhandle Lake Hike | Moderate | 11.8 | 2650 | Take a trip into the Lakes Basin of the Mt. Margaret Backcountry | |
Whittier Ridge-Lakes Loop Hike | Difficult | 14.2 | 3790 | Rugged loop that visits the Lakes Basin in the Mt. Margaret Backcountry | |
Ghost Lake Hike | Easy | 5.2 | 660 | Hike the Boundary Trail to a secluded lake on the edge of the blast zone |
Wind River Area
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Lower Wind River Area | |||||
Wind River Arboretum Loop Hike | Easy | 1.4 | 135 | Walk around forestry study plantings, some over 100 years old, of many species of trees | |
Mowich Butte from Trout Creek Hike | Moderate | 11.2 | 2625 | Hike the PCT to Sedum Ridge and then take an old road to the top of Mowich Butte | |
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 Loop Hike | Easy | 1.6 | 40 | Interpretive loop trail dedicated to the heyday of logging in the area | |
Plantation Spacing Study Hike | Easy | 1.3 | 60 | Short loops around two forestry research study areas | |
Falls Creek Falls Hike | Easy | 3.4 | 850 | Lovely creek hike to a three-tiered waterfall | |
Falls Creek Falls Loop Hike | Moderate | 6.3 | 1445 | Hike to a thundering waterfall and then loop up to higher viewpoints | |
Lava Butte Hike | Moderate | 3.8 | 1020 | Ford the Wind River to hike up a little traveled trail |
Trapper Creek Wilderness | |||||
Dry Creek Hike | Moderate | 7.6 | 640 | Discover massive old-growth trees as you follow Dry Creek in a quiet bottomland | |
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 | |
Trapper Creek Primitive Trails Loop Hike | Difficult | 11.1 | 3570 | A lollipop exploring some of the "primitive" connector trails in the Trapper Creek Wilderness | |
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 | Difficult | 8.4 | 2680 | Loop using primitive trails, sometimes hard to follow, in the Trapper Creek Wilderness | |
Sister Rocks-Observation Peak Loop Hike | Moderate | 8.4 | 2280 | Go off trail from Sister Rocks to loop into the Trapper Creek Wilderness and visit Observation Peak | |
Upper Siouxon Creek Loop Hike | Difficult | 10.2 | 2995 | Descend Siouxon Creek to view a series of waterfalls | |
Soda Peaks Lake West Hike | Moderate | 4.4 | 1270 | Longer drive and higher trailhead, but much shorter hike to this quiet wilderness lake |
Panther Creek | |||||
Panther Creek Falls Hike | Easy | 0.3 | 90 | Short excursion to an intriguing and picturesque waterfall |
Upper Falls Creek | |||||
Falls Creek Trail Hike | Difficult | 17.5 | 1250 | Gradual trail that passes lava tubes and viewpoints to reach the top of Falls Creek Falls | |
McClellan Meadows Hike | Moderate | 6.8 | 815 | Walk on gently sloping terrain to one of the largest meadows in the area |
Big Huckleberry Mountain | |||||
Cedar Creek-Big Huckleberry Mountain Loop Hike | Moderate | 6.3 | 1365 | Loop using rarely used trails and a forest road | |
Grassy Knoll Hike | Moderate | 4.2 | 1280 | Hike to a spectacular wildflower meadow with expansive views | |
Big Huckleberry Mountain Hike | Difficult | 11.4 | 2435 | Hike along a ridge of wildflower meadows to a former lookout site | |
Big Huckleberry Mountain from Crest Camp Hike | Difficult | 12.6 | 1710 | Follow the western edge of the Big Lava Bed to a former lookout site |
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 Loop Hike | Moderate | 9.2 | 1680 | Loop including the Indian Racetrack and 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 | |
Junction Lake-Bear Lake Loop Hike | Moderate | 8.7 | 1220 | Lollipop loop to lakes and meadows in the heart 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 |
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) | |
Thomas Lake Hike | Easy | 2.1 | 225 | Family hike to five wilderness lakes | |
Blue Lake Hike | Moderate | 6.6 | 980 | Stunning hike through high meadows past a dozen lakes | |
Thomas Lake-Junction Lake Loop Hike | Moderate | 8.5 | 1065 | Make a loop using old and current sections of the Pacific Crest Trail | |
Acker Lake Loop Hike | Moderate | 10.1 | 1240 | Use an abandoned route to make a loop taking in meadows and lakes | |
Indian Heaven Lakes Loop Hike | Moderate | 12.2 | 1675 | Epic hike that takes in 15 named lakes plus short side options for 9 more! | |
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 |
Northern Indian Heaven Trailheads | |||||
Deep Lake Hike | Moderate | 5.4 | 1270 | Short hike to a wilderness lake with a view of Mt. Adams | |
Bird Mountain Loop Hike | Moderate | 6.8 | 1700 | Loop hike into the heart of Indian Heaven Wilderness | |
Cultus Creek to Junction Lake Loop Hike | Moderate | 9.9 | 1910 | Hike deep into the heart of the Indian Heaven Wilderness from the north | |
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 |
Mount Adams
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Trout Lake Creek Drainage | |||||
Trout Lake Preserve Hike | Easy | 1.3 | 300 | Get great views of Mt. Adams as you walk above expansive wetlands | |
Guler Ice Cave Hike | Easy | 2.2 | 80 | Walk to and crawl around an icy lava tube in early spring | |
Natural Bridges Hike | Easy | 1.8 | 80 | Explore a collapsed lava tube with caves and two natural bridges | |
Sleeping Beauty Hike | Moderate | 3.0 | 1430 | Short, steep trail up a basalt knoll with expansive views | |
Langfield Falls Hike | Easy | 0.5 | 80 | Take a short trail to a scenic waterfall; also visit the nearby peeled cedars | |
Steamboat Mountain Hike | Easy | 1.6 | 575 | Hike a short, steep trail to a summit with far-ranging 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 Meadow-Lookingglass Lake Loop Hike | Moderate | 13.2 | 2000 | Alpine meadows and lake on the southwest side of Mount Adams | |
Riley Camp-Horseshoe Meadow Loop Hike | Difficult | 15.6 | 3145 | Loop that explores the west slope of Mt. Adams using a little-hiked connector trail | |
Riley Camp to Crystal Lake Hike | Difficult | 13.2 | 2860 | Wilderness hike to a high alpine lake on the slopes of Mt. Adams |
Northwest Mount Adams | |||||
Council Bluff Hike | Moderate | 3.2 | 840 | Short hike to a former lookout site with expansive views | |
Chain of Lakes Hike | Easy | 2.7 | 180 | Fairly level hike to shallow montane lakes | |
Takhlakh Lake Loop Hike | Easy | 2.7 | 215 | Loop hike around a stunning lake and a lava flow, with Mt. Adams views | |
Divide Camp to High Camp Hike | Difficult | 13.1 | 2500 | Less traveled but scenic route to the Pacific Crest Trail and High Camp | |
Adams Glacier Meadows Hike | Moderate | 8.2 | 2315 | Premier alpine area on Mount Adams. Can be busy but there's a large enough area to disperse crowds. | |
Killen Creek Meadows Hike | Moderate | 8.6 | 2455 | Meadows above and below the Pacific Crest Trail, with campsites in the trees | |
Foggy Flat Hike | Difficult | 14.4 | 1550 | Less busy alpine area on Mount Adams. Continue an extra few miles to Devil's Garden. | |
Green Mountain Loop Hike | Moderate | 7.3 | 1420 | Hike to a summit above the Cispus River via multi-use trails | |
Muddy Meadows Loop Hike | Moderate | 12.5 | 1575 | Route up to the timberline on the northwest slope of Mt. Adams |
South Mount Adams | |||||
Buck Creek-Wicky Shelter Loop Hike | Moderate | 9.6 | 1185 | Lower level loop from White Salmon River viewpoints to a shelter and a large ponderosa | |
Crofton Ridge Loop Hike | Moderate | 12.5 | 2600 | Loop hike up to Crofton Ridge on the south slopes of Mount Adams | |
Crofton Butte Hike | Moderate | 3.3 | 1100 | Take the Crofton Ridge Trail, and then go off trail to the summit of Crofton Butte | |
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) | |||||
Mount Adams Loop Hike | Difficult | 38.4 | 8450 | Loop around Mount Adams requiring registration with the Yakama Nation | |
Pine Way to Gotchen Creek Meadows Hike | Difficult | 10.7 | 2380 | Hike a neglected trail through an intense burn and then turn up to classic mountain meadows | |
Bird Creek Meadows Loop Hike | Moderate | 6.6 | 1415 | Loop through subalpine meadows to a great viewpoint and mountain lakes | |
Sunrise Camp Hike | Difficult | 9.6 | 2860 | Take a mountain climbers' trail to a base camp 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 |
Glenwood Area | |||||
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 |
Goat Rocks Wilderness
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Goat Rocks Wilderness | |||||
Snowgrass Flat Hike | Moderate | 11.1 | 2380 | Visit a beautiful alpine meadow full of August wildflowers | |
Goat Lake Loop Hike | Difficult | 12.8 | 2590 | Loop hike to Goat Lake basin that makes a good overnight backpack | |
Goat Rocks Traverse Hike | Difficult | 28.7 | 4875 | See the spectacular Goat Rocks from Walupt Lake to White Pass | |
South Tieton Hike | Difficult | 17.6 | 1930 | 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 Loop Hike | Moderate | 6.2 | 1300 | Hike from Sunrise for expansive views of mountain and glacier |
North of Rainier Area
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Enchantment Lakes | |||||
Enchantment Lakes Thru Hike | Difficult | 21.5 | 5450 | Most spectacular hike on earth |
See Southwest area hikes and destinations in our Southwest Washington index