スカマニア郡のおすすめランニングルート

There were no bears to be seen, and the steep forest road (partly rough gravel) was not ideal for walking—but the 180-degree panoramic view from the summit more than compensates. Four volcanoes can be seen in the immediate and wider area.

Red Mountain lookout is one of the last remaining active fire lookout stations in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It has been rebuilt twice throughout the years, and the current iteration was restored by volunteers in 2010.

The Butte Camp Trail highlights an interesting collision of geological forces: A glacier helped carve out the shape of this terrain, with the rounded shape of Butte Camp Mound visible in the near distance. But you can also see evidence of lava beds — a more recent sort of remodeling — mixed in with the forest and flowers. Better yet, if you want to camp overnight here you do not need a permit.

Small beaches on the west side of June Lake make fantastic picnic spots, with a view of the 70-foot waterfall that feeds this calm, cool lake.

The South Fork Toutle River is a reliable water source along the Loowit Trail. There are also spots to pitch your tent at the south side of the river. A rope will help you to climb over the loose rock down and up the river bank.

This is where the Ptarmigan Trail meets with the Loowit Trail and Monitor Ridge. If you plan to summit Mount Saint Helens, you continue along the rough Monitor Ridge. Keep in mind that you need a permit to do so. The Loowit Trail, however, circumfences Mount Saint Helens and leads you to the blast zone. It is 30 miles long, so it can be a great multi-day adventure. There is no permit needed to complete the Loowit Trail.

Offering one of the first good campsites on the Pacific Crest Trail heading north into Washington from Oregon, Gillette Lake is a beautiful little lake fed by Gillette Creek. Watch out for poison oak in the area as it is quite thick through this section.

At 2,488 feet, the summit of Hamilton Mountain is not the highest at Beacon Rock State Park. You'll need to climb Hardy Ridge to Phlox Point to accomplish that feat!