Difference between revisions of "Bluff Mountain"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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[[Category:360 Degree Summits]] | [[Category:360 Degree Summits]] | ||
− | [[Category:Exposed | + | [[Category:Exposed Summits]] |
[[Category:Forest Road Access]] | [[Category:Forest Road Access]] | ||
[[Category:Gifford Pinchot National Forest]] | [[Category:Gifford Pinchot National Forest]] | ||
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[[Category:Wildflowers]] | [[Category:Wildflowers]] | ||
− | [[Image:BluffMountain.jpg|thumb|400px|Bluff Mountain and Little Baldy along the Chinook Tail ( | + | [[Image:BluffMountain.jpg|thumb|400px|Bluff Mountain and Little Baldy along the Chinook Tail ''(Don Nelsen)'']] |
− | [[Image:BluffMountain02.jpg|thumb|250px|Bluff Mountain ( | + | [[Image:BluffMountain02.jpg|thumb|250px|Bluff Mountain ''(David Koskamp)'']] |
− | [[Image:BluffMountainBluffs.jpg|thumb|250px|Bluff Mountain bluffs - St. Helens in the distance ( | + | [[Image:BluffMountainBluffs.jpg|thumb|250px|Bluff Mountain bluffs - St. Helens in the distance ''(David Koskamp)'']] |
− | * Hikes | + | * Hikes including this location: |
** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Bluff Mountain Trailhead|hike=Silver Star via Bluff Mountain Hike|log=Silver Star via Bluff Mountain Hike/Log|previous=Bluff Mountain Trailhead|next=Little Baldy Mountain}} | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Bluff Mountain Trailhead|hike=Silver Star via Bluff Mountain Hike|log=Silver Star via Bluff Mountain Hike/Log|previous=Bluff Mountain Trailhead|next=Little Baldy Mountain}} | ||
− | {{ | + | {{maplinkinfo|latitude=45.74228|longitude=-122.19107}} |
− | + | {{Elevation|3928 feet}} | |
=== Description === | === Description === | ||
− | Bluff Mountain is a partially exposed peak near [[Silver Star Mountain]] in the | + | Bluff Mountain is a partially exposed peak near [[Silver Star Mountain]] in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwest Washington. It's named for the bluffs on its southern face, hidden to most hikers in the area. There is no 'trail' per se to the top of Bluff Mountain, but the areas surrounding it are so exposed and offer such great views on their own, that summiting Bluff Mountain itself could be left to the peak-baggers and list-crossers. On a clear day, you'll see [[Mount Saint Helens]] and [[Mount Rainier|Rainier]] to the north, [[Mount Adams]] to the east, [[Mount Hood|Hood]] to the southeast and a hint of [[Mount Jefferson]], seemingly directly south. |
− | In the spring, this whole area is abundant with wildflowers, and especially rich in beargrass blooms if you get your timing right! Look for huckleberries all over this mountain in the early | + | In the spring, this whole area is abundant with wildflowers, and especially rich in beargrass blooms if you get your timing right! Look for huckleberries all over this mountain in the early fall. |
− | This whole area is sometimes referred to as the '''Yacolt Burn''', after devastating wildfire in 1902 | + | This whole area is sometimes referred to as the '''Yacolt Burn''', after a devastating wildfire in 1902. The intense heat left little in the way of living remains. Trees still struggle to return now, over a hundred years later. |
− | The Chinook Trail | + | The Chinook Trail Organization has incorporated a number of trails in the area, with the eventual hope of connecting points west, like [[Lucia Falls]] and beyond to '''Lake Vancouver''', with points east on the [[Columbia River Gorge]], including [[Three Corner Rock]], [[Table Mountain]] and as far east as [[Coyote Wall]]. Some of the plans got stalled in red-tape when the USGS refused trail building in a seven mile stretch near the Washougal River in Skamania County. |
− | Bluff Mountain is not really a destination of | + | Bluff Mountain is not really a destination of its own. Your planning should include the aforementioned Silver Star Mt. and [[Little Baldy Mountain|Little Baldy]]. You could also include a light bushwhack to the [[Silver Star Indian Pits]], and if you still have energy, make a loop around [[Pyramid Rock]] and [[Sturgeon Rock]]. There is at least one good campsite just west, below the Silver Star summit, huddled in a rare forested section. |
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=== More Links === | === More Links === | ||
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=== Page Contributors === | === Page Contributors === | ||
− | * [[user:jeffstatt]] ( | + | * [[user:jeffstatt]] (creator) |
Revision as of 00:10, 23 March 2016
- Hikes including this location:
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.74228, -122.19107
- Elevation: 3928 feet
Description
Bluff Mountain is a partially exposed peak near Silver Star Mountain in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwest Washington. It's named for the bluffs on its southern face, hidden to most hikers in the area. There is no 'trail' per se to the top of Bluff Mountain, but the areas surrounding it are so exposed and offer such great views on their own, that summiting Bluff Mountain itself could be left to the peak-baggers and list-crossers. On a clear day, you'll see Mount Saint Helens and Rainier to the north, Mount Adams to the east, Hood to the southeast and a hint of Mount Jefferson, seemingly directly south.
In the spring, this whole area is abundant with wildflowers, and especially rich in beargrass blooms if you get your timing right! Look for huckleberries all over this mountain in the early fall.
This whole area is sometimes referred to as the Yacolt Burn, after a devastating wildfire in 1902. The intense heat left little in the way of living remains. Trees still struggle to return now, over a hundred years later.
The Chinook Trail Organization has incorporated a number of trails in the area, with the eventual hope of connecting points west, like Lucia Falls and beyond to Lake Vancouver, with points east on the Columbia River Gorge, including Three Corner Rock, Table Mountain and as far east as Coyote Wall. Some of the plans got stalled in red-tape when the USGS refused trail building in a seven mile stretch near the Washougal River in Skamania County.
Bluff Mountain is not really a destination of its own. Your planning should include the aforementioned Silver Star Mt. and Little Baldy. You could also include a light bushwhack to the Silver Star Indian Pits, and if you still have energy, make a loop around Pyramid Rock and Sturgeon Rock. There is at least one good campsite just west, below the Silver Star summit, huddled in a rare forested section.
More Links
- Don Nelsen's Bluff Mountain Page on SummitPost
- Chinook Trail page on SummitPost
- Chinook Trail association
- Adam Schneider: wildflower photos
Page Contributors
- user:jeffstatt (creator)