Three Corner Rock from Snag Creek Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Snag Creek Trailhead
- End point: Three Corner Rock
- Hike Type: In and out
- Distance: 11.4 miles
- Elevation gain: 2440 feet
- High point: 3,550 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Mid-spring to late fall
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
NOTICE: The CG 2000 Road from the Stevenson side is closed during the summer of 2023 for a [bridge replacement]. You can still access this hike from the Washougal River side.
Three Corner Rock is a rather significant knob and former lookout site on the Gorge skyline and lies half a mile off the Pacific Crest Trail as it runs between Birkenfeld Mountain and Sedum Ridge. The closest way to access it via the Pacific Crest Trail is from the north. This day hike begins near Snag Creek and crosses two other roads, both potentially closer trailheads, before rising more steeply to its destination. Along the way, in addition to DNR plantations, there is a beautiful parcel of old growth and a far-reaching viewpoint over the Rock Creek valley to Mount Adams. Wildflowers can be spectacular in the Three Corner Rock area in June, with lots of blooming bear-grass. Also, this section of the Pacific Crest Trail, especially the part below the Rock Creek Pass Trailhead, is little traveled by day hikers and only gets busy when PCT through hikers coming marching along later in the summer.
Important note: If creek levels are high, you may not be able to cross Snag Creek and you should begin this hike at one of the higher trailheads.
Hike west along a slope planted with Douglas-firs and western hemlock in 1975 but infiltrated by many big-leaf maples and red alders. There is a crowded carpet of Oregon grape, sword fern, and salal. Reach Snag Creek, where the old bridge is gone and a new one (perhaps in 2016?) is in the making. The crossing here is very slippery if you want to keep your feet dry, so take care. Notice the large old growth Douglas-firs in the vicinity. After crossing the creek, reach the Pacific Crest-Snag Creek Trail Junction: the Snag Creek Trail was repaired by a Boy Scout troop in 1981 but once more has been abandoned. Hike along a slope below a clearcut and drop to pass a spring and reach the large footbridge over Rock Creek.
Cross the footbridge and notice the layer of greenish-blue tuff which the creek has cut into downstream. Head up a slope in 100-year forest regenerating since the 1902 Yacolt Burn. Switchback up and make a traverse to reach and cross Road CG 2000 at the PCT Red Bluff Road Trailhead, another option for beginning this hike.
Pass the plantation sign and undulate along a hillside before dropping to cross a small creek, where you are back in 100-year forest. Cross a second burbling creek and traverse up in denser woods. Notice a couple of clearcuts below. Drop to cross a steep scree slope and then gradually rise, cross a creek, and traverse below mossy cliffs. Switchback to enter a 1975 plantation, join an old road bed briefly, and then hike steadily up along a shallow gully. Reach a road at the Rock Creek Pass Trailhead and cross it.
The PCT signs at the trailhead have long since disappeared although there is an unofficial one on a tree. Behind it, there's a large cautionary sign warning hikers about logging trucks on the road. Hike uphill on a wide trail before you switchback and make a long traverse. Blooming avalanche lilies and trillium abound here in late spring. Round a corner and get your first glimpse of Mount Adams. Switchback twice in stunted silver fir/noble fir/ Douglas-fir woods with a bear-grass carpet. A spur to the left leads to a commanding viewpoint with views to Mount Adams and the summits of Mount Saint Helens, Mount Rainier, and Goat Rocks. Past the viewpoint, the trail levels and reaches the Pacific Crest-Three Corner Rock Trail Junction.
The large sign here was restored in 2016. Go right and soon see a spur leading right to a rusting horse trough with a pipe bringing in spring water. On the main trail, walk on the level to reach an abandoned four-wheel drive road. Hike up this rubbly, deeply gullied track to a ridge crest of bear-grass with a sprinkling of baby noble firs. Three Corner Rock is the pyramidal basalt pile on your right. The remains of the concrete lookout path will take you to the summit, which catches ferocious wind blasts at times. However, the views are expansive and stunning. Look south beyond the communications tower to Birkenfeld Mountain, South Birkenfeld Mountain, Table Mountain, Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson. Wind Mountain and Dog Mountain can be seen beyond Birkenfeld Mountain. To the southwest is the forested Stebbins Creek valley (see the Stebbins Creek to Three Corner Rock Hike), which leads to the Washougal River. To the west is Silver Star Mountain, and the northern skyline presents the massive humps of the three southern Washington stratovolcanoes, with Mount Rainier rising directly behind Mowich Butte and Mount Saint Helens behind Lookout Mountain to the northwest.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Green Trails Maps: Bridal Veil, OR #428 and Lookout Mtn., WA #396
- Washington Department of Natural Resources: Three Corner Rock and Vicinity Trail Systems
- Washington Department of Natural Resources: The Yacolt Burn State Forest Map
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Pacific Crest Trail, Cascade Series – Southern Washington (Map #9)
- Halfmile Pacific Crest Trail Map: Washington Section H — Cascade Locks to Highway 12 (near White Pass)
- U.S. Depart of Agriculture: Gifford Pinchot National Forest: Mt. Adams Ranger District
- U.S. Depart of Agriculture: Gifford Pinchot National Forest: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument & Administrative Area
- U.S. Depart of Agriculture: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Regulations or restrictions, etc
- Discover Pass required at trailhead
- $3 toll each way at the Bridge of the Gods
- Bridge gone at Snag Creek: do not attempt at high water
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Three Corner Rock from Snag Creek Hike
- Three Corner Rock from Snag Creek
- Three-Corner Rock via PCT 12-12-2011
- Three Corners Rock from the PCT - 3/20/2010
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Three Corner Rock from Snag Creek Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain (from Rock Creek Pass)
- Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Washington by Tami Asars
- 33 Hiking Trails: Southern Washington Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Pacific Crest Trail: Oregon & Washington by Jordan Summers
- Day Hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail: Oregon & Washington by George & Patricia Semb
- Best Trail Runs: Portland, Oregon by Adam W. Chase, Nancy Hobbs, and Yassine Dibboun
More Links
- Three Corner Rock (Washington Trails Association)
- Map of Snag Creek Detour (Pacific Crest Trail Association)
- Three Corner Rock – Mud and Fog (Linda’s Lens)
- Three Corner Rock (Summit Post)
- Three Corner Rock Lookout (Fire Lookouts in the Pacific Northwest)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)