Summary - At the end of a long drive along the ridge of the Toutle Mountains, a short hike brings you to the open summit with terrific views of Mount Saint Helens and Mount Adams. Bring HF gear and assume VHF contacts will be rare. ATT service is very good, as is APRS. The roads, up to the summit drive are 2WD friendly; the last bit requires high clearance and AWD or an additional quarter-mile of hiking.
Just east of Mount Rainier National Park and north of Highway 12 is this bushwack activation.
Peak 8740 was first activated a month ago on 08 Aug 2023 by KJ7GRQ and N0DNF. This is a very straightforward “trailhead” from a rough dirt/gravel road. Definitely not Prius friendly and I wouldn’t take anything but a vehicle with more than standard clearance. Recent rains have created water channels, mud puddles and exposed rocks in places. 4WD is not required, however.
From Pocatello Idaho go South on I-15 until you reach the McCammon Idaho exit. From there take highway 30 towards Lava Hot Springs. Before you begin your accent up Fish Creek pass heading to Soda Springs Id you will see a highway sign saying Blazer Hwy on your left before you cross the Portneuf River. Take this old Hwy North approx 9 miles. You will see a FS sign saying Big Springs Camp Ground. Take a left on the Pebble Creek Rd that heads to the campground. Before you reach the campground you will see a road to your right call Long Gulch Rd on maps...
From Pocatello Idaho go South on I-15. Turn off onto Highway 30 towards Lava Hot Springs. Proceed to the Lava Hot Springs golf course and take Smith Canyon Rd South approximately 3.2 miles until you hit the Forest Service Boundry at 42.54653, -112.06385. There is no trailhead so you will have to park safely on one of the nearby pullouts.
Proceed South from Pocatello Idaho to Mink Creek Recreation area. Traavel South on the main Mink Creek Rd. which turns into South Mink Creek. On your right hand side heading south you will see a ORV turning right (42.70139 -112.43832). This ORV road is Clifton Creek which takes you to Elk Meadows. You will take this road approx. 6.2 miles. At 42.74659 -112.47098 you will come to a junction of roads. Here you will begin your hiking approach to the summit.
East Butte is a moderate hike with fairly easy access that most passenger cars would have no problem with. It has beautiful 360 views of SE Deschutes County Oregon and is very worth the drive. It would also make a great motorcycle SOTA outing when the trail to the top is open.
Full report here
2023 update: You can access North Green Mountain if you purchase a Weyerhaeuser permit https://recreation.weyerhaeuser.com. You will need the “Longview – St Helens” one.
You can access Wilkes Hills if you purchase a Weyerhaeuser permit https://recreation.weyerhaeuser.com. You will need the “Longview – St Helens” one. There is no rec permit access gate from the I5/Burma Road side. You have to go around to the East side a bit. It is about 8 miles from the intesection of Tower Road and Hwy 504.
Signal Peak is a 12.7 mile Priusable drive up with some pot holes that are easily navigated. It does not need a Weyerhaeuser permit for access. Although you traverse through Weyerhaeuser land, the road you take is designed as a “Public Access Corridor” to the state forest where the Signal Peak summit is located.