Hikes & Bikes

By Randy Gragg, Kasey Cordell, Kaitlin Johnson, and Ariel BleicherWith contribution from Brian Barker

Photo: Jessica Robinson

The perfect pit stop on the Lewis River

St. Helens

Lava Canyon

Hiking Trail

Easy with a hard option When St. Helens blew in 1980, it sent nearly four billion cubic yards of debris (enough to fill 982 Rose Garden Arenas) careening down the mountain, revealing this two-thousand-year-old canyon. Today, the route takes hikers across a suspension bridge over the Muddy River and within sixty feet of a majestic turquoise waterfall. The terrain beyond this point isn’t for the fainthearted: steep slopes, creek crossings, and narrow paths line the way to the Ship, a giant, tar-colored lava flow discarded by the volcano 3,500 years ago. —Victoria Nguyen

ROUND TRIP: Up to 5 miles NEAREST TOWN: Cougar, Wash. DISTANCE FROM DOWNTOWN: 75 miles PACK: 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Portland; Green Trails Map No. 364

UPDATE: The Lava Canyon trail is closed for maintenance for the month of July 2009, and is due to re-open in August. Contact the Forest Service at 360-247-3900 for updated information.

Silver Star Mountain

Hiking Trail

Moderate The 1902 Yacolt Burn wiped Silver Star clean of firs and pines, leaving behind enriched soil ripe for wildflowers. This month, more than a hundred varieties, such as Western buttercups and tiger lilies, line the way to the top (4,390 feet). There, you’ll trade floral splendor for an equally stunning sight: sweeping views of Gifford Pinchot National Forest and four snowcapped peaks. —VN

ROUND TRIP: 5.5 miles NEAREST TOWN: Yacolt, Wash. DISTANCE FROM DOWNTOWN: 48 miles PACK: 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Portland; Green Trails Map No. 428; a jeep (for rough roads)

Lewis River

Biking Trail

Moderate This fast, smooth single-track traces the scenic Lewis River through old-growth Douglas firs and western red cedars every bit as grand as California’s redwoods. It’s an up-and-down roller-coaster ride that will wear the winter right out of your legs, and it has five access points, so you won’t be short on out-and-back options. Most bikers start near Curly Creek Falls, where the trail is flattest and least populated with hikers. Or, for dramatic scenery, crank your gears up the northernmost stretch, where you’ll find a series of rushing waterfalls and dark pools perfect for a cool dip. —Ariel Bleicher

ROUND TRIP: Up to 26 miles NEAREST TOWN: Cougar, Wash. DISTANCE FROM DOWNTOWN: 83 miles PACK: Mountain Biking Oregon; Green Trails Map No. 365; Northwest Forest Pass ($5)

EAT, STAY, SEE

Cougar Bar & Grill
16849 Lewis River Rd Cougar, Wash; 360-238-5252

Three cougar pelts hang alongside antler racks and several sets of fossilized teeth on the walls of this rustic roadside eatery, where the food is every bit as country as the décor. Sate yourself with the gut-busting Marble Mountain burger—a quarter pound of beef topped with ham and a fried egg. Just be sure to save room for a piece of homemade cherry pie; it’ll help sweeten the drive home.

Lewis River Bed & Breakfast
2339 Lewis River Rd Woodland, Wash; 360-225-8630; lewisriverbedandbreakfast.com

There’s a reason this place was booked solid from May to October last year—and it’s not just because of owner Barb Dalby’s cooking. The quaint seven-room B&B is a mere cast’s length away from the Lewis River, and it sports a sixty-foot deck where guests can dine amid cottonwoods. Fish for steelhead from the inn’s private dock, or let local guides from Gone Catchin’ Northwest (gonecatchin.net) pick you up here for a float down the Lewis. You’ll be back in time for Barb’s complimentary happy hour—hopefully toting a couple of ten-pound trout.

Mount St. Helens Johnston Ridge Observatory

If you haven’t been to the Johnston Ridge Observatory already, go. Named after volcanologist David Johnston, who perished during the 1980 eruption, the visitors’ center provides the closest view of the crater you can get without burning through some serious shoe leather. —KC

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Published: June 2009

Comments

By Slate on Jun 01, 2009 at 5:20PM: Beautiful sights.
By Virginia Scanlon on Jun 20, 2009 at 10:02PM: you might want to let your readers know that Salmonberry Trail no longer exists – both ends of the trail are closed – I don’t know if they plan to reopen or not!
By Tony on Feb 10, 2011 at 8:02AM: Have lived in Portland all my life. The trails listed here are not even the tip of the ice burg and need updating. (Keep searching the web for more, see “Washington park portland trails” and “columbia river gorge trails” and also “Burnt bridge trail vancouver wa.” all rate well with springwater trail listed above.)
Happy trails,
T