In anticipation of yet another atmospheric river, I escaped to explore this new trail in the Yacolt Burn State Forest. Beginning from the upper trailhead at Moulton Falls County Park, I crossed the East Fork Lewis River, and then took the Bells Mountain Trail about 2 1/4 miles to the south junction with the new Sword Fern Way. Clouds were low so I could see Yacolt and the snowy bottom of Silver Star but neither Sturgeon Rock nor Mt. St. Helens.
Sword Fern Way is a 2 ½ mile trail that ascends the east slope of Bells Mountain in a series of biker loops. This is mostly approx. 40-year Douglas-fir plantation spaced exactly right to allow only a dim understory with maximum potential for timber harvest. Near the high point of the trail, an unmarked spur spins off to enter a clearcut and rise to the summit of Bells Mountain, where there’s an enclosure that cages a communications tower. The views here are restricted except towards the east, and there are better vistas to be had from the Bells Mountain Trail clearcuts. The descent is also via looping switchbacks to join an old logging spur about 30 yards from the Bells Mountain Trail.
There were a surprising number of people out. One group of ladies, obviously on a standard outing for them, told me they had never seen anyone else up on the trail. Then I ran into the same hunter three times; the third time he also almost ran over me on his bike. The hike was about 8 ½ miles total with 1,785 feet elevation gain.
Sword Fern Way 11-10-21
Re: Sword Fern Way 11-10-21
I was excited to see a new trail, but at some point in this TR a had a deja vu moment.
Yep, done it, once when it was almost done, and then again when it was all finished.
I'm glad you posted this though. It's fun to see another report on an obscure trail.
Yep, done it, once when it was almost done, and then again when it was all finished.
I'm glad you posted this though. It's fun to see another report on an obscure trail.