N7UN's blog

FS6801 Rd is not obscure to find and clear of windfall until about 1 mi. in.  Directions to FS6801 are available by other blog entries.  Going east on FS60, if you get to the PCT, you've gone too far.  

From where I parked (see map below), it was a 2.75 mi road hike.  Even if the windfall logs (4 of them) were cleared, the maple, alder, and doug fir are growing into the road space, meaning a few scratches on vehicles.  The road ends at a turn-around location with great views of Mt. Hood to the south.  There was a 1000 ft elev gain for this track.

Great location and good access from FS Rd 33- Agnes Rd.  Road paved for several miles then a wide, well-maintained gravel road.  Ample parking across from the road gate.  Easy 1/2-mi hike to the summit.  Old fire lookout is decommissioned but easy to hang one end of your EFHW and sit at the picnic table.  360-deg view from the bald summit.

Silver Star Mtn in southwest WA has incredible views of Portland and Vancouver, including the 5 major peaks.  On a clear day, you can easily see Saddle Mountain in the coast range.

See my trip report on the Wash Trails Assoc website, including my .gpx track.  I came in from the west from Rock Creek Camp.  Great 2wd road, good parking and a 2.0 mile hike to the summit.  Much, much better than the Sunset Falls north access road.  

This is a GPS-required hike in order to return safely to your parked vehicle.  This is a treed, non-descript summit. You can get within 1/2-mile on FR2505 then it's a bushwhack to the summit AZ.  I parked at the rusted gate just before FR2505 becomes quite narrow.  I followed the narrow road up for about 1/4-mile until it ended, then marked a waypoint and started the final 1/4-mile bushwhack to the summit.  There is a decent forest road that leads the summit but couldn't determine where that road leads coming down from the summit.

Burley Mtn is a drive-up to an open fire lookout with expansive views of Rainier, St. Helens, and Mt Adams.  You can stay overnight at the lookout on a first-come basis.  But bring some sheets as the two beds and mattresses are grundgy. There is a wood stove for heat so also bring some firewood to take the morning chill off.  This is an exposed area so it can be quite windy.  There is a picnic bench and some trees for your antennas.  Best terrain takeoffs are to the east and south...a radio repeator tower is on the west side of the peak.

Plan a clear day for this trip since the mountain views (St Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt Hood, Mt Rainier) are spectacular from the summit area.  The views of the Mt St Helens north crater and blast zone are iconic.  This hike should be on the "must do" list in order to gain insight into the blast and destruction caused by the 1980 eruption.

Access Info:  There may be other routes for this summit but I choose to park at the Stavebolt Creek gate off Logan Rd.  Gated parking for about 4 cars at 46.0828, -123.8339.  

The hike on good logging roads is about 3.5 miles to 46.0724, -123.8095.  Then a well-traveled game trail begins a bushwhack of about 200 vertical feet to the summit.  The AZ is all undergrowth with no real clear areas.  Ugly, really.

Access Info:  Take SR25 south from Randle or north from Cougar.  Head west on SR99 for 4.5 mi to the Bear Meadow Viewpoint.  Restrooms at the viewpoint parking area.  Read the interpretive signage at this viewpoint since this is where many of the iconic photographs were made of the St. Helens eruption in process by photographer Reynolds, who barely escaped with his family.

Access:  Since SR26 is closed from the north due to a washout, you must come in on SR26 from the south. Take SR25 south out of Randle then SR99 west towards Windy Ridge.  At approx 11 mi in, take SR26 north for about 1 mi to the Norway Pass TH parking area.  Restrooms are available.

Note:  The Independance Ridge trail is closed due to a washout.

Access:  Since SR26 is closed from the north due to a washout, you must come in on SR26 from the south. Take SR25 south out of Randle then SR99 west towards Windy Ridge.  At approx 7 mi in, take SR25 north to 1/4 mi past the Ryan Lake Interpretive Site road.  Take the TH road west for about 1/2 mi.