K7WXW's blog

Summary - This is another one of my traverse hikes, linking 4180 (LC-071) and Big Huckleberry (LC-069) over the Pacific Crest Trail in the GPNF.  After a ninety minute drive (with a toll bridge) from Portland to the trailhead, you'll find both an easy forest road hike and bushwhack to the summit of 4180 and a PCT hike over to Big Huckleberry. You will cover about eleven miles with 1700 feet of gain, do an easy if steep bushwhack on 4180 bushwhack, and collect big views on Big Huck.

Summary - Hiking Three Corner Rock and Birkenfeld together combines good views, no views, an open summit, a forested summit, a long hike, a stiff bushwhack and decent elevation gain. You can do this TRC first or Birkenfeld first. Starting at the Rock Creek Pass trailhead (45.74910, -122.04310) follow the PCT east to (45.71410, -122.00700). From here you have a short steep bushwhack up the ridge to the summit of Birkenfeld. Come back down the same way and return to the way you came, turning off the PCT to the Three Corners Rock trail.

Summary - Sawtooth Mountain, on the north end of Indian Heaven Wilderness, is a 2.5 mile hike with 1000 feet of gain from the parking lot to the edge of the activation zone. This trip report describes getting to the summit, another hundred feet or so up, with unprotected class three and four traverses/climbing and significant exposure.

Summary - Bird Mountain, in the Indian Heaven Wilderness, combines good trails and a steep bushwhack (not for beginners).  While makes for a longish day, link it with Lemei Rock for a two summit, twelve point outing.  The trip from Portland to the Cultus Creek Campground (day fee or pass required) is about two hours on mosly paved roads.  ATT digital service is good, as is APRS.

Summary - Lemi Rock, in the Indian Heaven Wilderness, combines good trails, a steep bushwhack (not for beginners), and some optional ridge scrambling.  While makes for a longish day, link it with Bird Mountain for a two summit, twelve point outing.  The trip from Portland to the Cultus Creek Campground (day fee or pass required) is about two hours on mosly paved roads.  ATT digital service is good, as is APRS.

Summary - Gifford Peak is approached via good trails and a steepish cross country bushwhack.  From the Thomas Lake trailhead, hike both East Crater and Gifford Peak as a ten mile outing with 2500 feet of gain.  From Carson, WA take Wind River Highway up and all but the last bit of the two hour drive (from Portland) is on paved road. A NW Discover Pass is required and this is a popular area, so the parking will be tight on weekends.

Summary - East Crater is approached via good trails and a steepish bushwhack through burn terrainFrom the Thomas Lake trailhead, hike both East Crater and Gifford Peak as a ten mile outing with 2500 feet of gain.  From Carson, WA take Wind River Highway up and all but the last bit of the two hour drive (from Portland) is on paved road. A NW Discover Pass is required and this is a popular area, so the parking will be tight on weekends.

Summary - Green Mountain can be a short hike from a parking area right below the summit or a longer hike from the road below.  The drive up version is possible on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00AM to 6:00PM through a gate on NW Holly Road at (47.59245, -122.83445). The drive is Priusable, at least in good weather, and ends in a parking area with a vault toilet below the summit. A NW Discover Pass is required to park.  The vista - which is not the actual summit but in the AZ - has good views, trees to hang a wire, and picnic tables.

My three summit day plan was for naught. The road from highway 119 (47.47079, -123.21280) to Saddle, 1700, and Dow is bermed with concrete barriers.  The other potential ways in now have locked gates with no trespassing signs at (47.43676, -123.21622) and (47.42468, -123.20073), so even hiking in is out.

There might be a way in from the west side using power company roads but the sat images aren't encouraging.

My three summit day plan was for naught. The road from highway 119 (47.47079, -123.21280) to Saddle, 1700, and Dow is bermed with concrete barriers.  The other potential ways in now have locked gates with no trespassing signs at (47.43676, -123.21622) and (47.42468, -123.20073), so even hiking in is out.

There might be a way in from the west, under the power lines, but the sat images weren't encouraging.