Little Huckleberry Mtn 28-Jul-2012
Posted: July 29th, 2012, 7:35 am
After hiking Lookout Mtn via Fret Ck, I headed over to the WA side. Having hiked Big Huckleberry twice in recent weeks, it seemed time to try Little Huckleberry, which has been turning up in more guidebooks lately. Its Hike #118 in Nelson's Dayhiking South Cascades. From Hwy 14, I went N on the Cook-Underwood Hwy, then left on the Willard Rd thru Willard (pop. 48), then left of FR 66 for about 2 mi past where it goes from paved to gravel to the TH.
The guidebook describes this short (2.5 mi) trail as '...steep, hot, and dusty..." but that didn't seem entirely accurate to me. It's certainly steep, but 99% of it is under a tall, cool forest canopy and there are only a few slightly dusty stretches lower down. However, the trail itself isn't the issue but rather the views it takes you to - huge! From the top, Adams is immensely visible to the N, with the Monte Cristo Range in the foreground.
To the left of Adams were Rainier and Sawtooth Mtn in the Indian Heaven Wilderness.
To the left of Sawtooth (s) were Bird Mtn (b), East Crater (e), Gifford Pk (g), and Berry Mtn (be), all in Indian Heaven.
On the western horizon were Three Corner Rock (tc), Birkenfeld (b), Greenleaf (g), and Table (t).
The little lookout (arrow) atop Red Mtn was also visible as was - of course - St. Helens.
A short, steep hike (5 mi RT, 1800' EG) in the trees, but well worth it for the views from the summit.
All told, a two summit, 12 mi, 3800' EG day.
The guidebook describes this short (2.5 mi) trail as '...steep, hot, and dusty..." but that didn't seem entirely accurate to me. It's certainly steep, but 99% of it is under a tall, cool forest canopy and there are only a few slightly dusty stretches lower down. However, the trail itself isn't the issue but rather the views it takes you to - huge! From the top, Adams is immensely visible to the N, with the Monte Cristo Range in the foreground.
To the left of Adams were Rainier and Sawtooth Mtn in the Indian Heaven Wilderness.
To the left of Sawtooth (s) were Bird Mtn (b), East Crater (e), Gifford Pk (g), and Berry Mtn (be), all in Indian Heaven.
On the western horizon were Three Corner Rock (tc), Birkenfeld (b), Greenleaf (g), and Table (t).
The little lookout (arrow) atop Red Mtn was also visible as was - of course - St. Helens.
A short, steep hike (5 mi RT, 1800' EG) in the trees, but well worth it for the views from the summit.
All told, a two summit, 12 mi, 3800' EG day.