High Rock
Last modified
Oct 26, 2009 08:40 AM
Contributors:
mhungry, Eleanor Pachaud
On the brow of the High Rock Lookout - by el tigre
High Rock still has its tower (which is still used in season). As great as the views are, though, the mountain itself is even more astounding. High Rock is one of the more impressive stone formations on which you're ever likely to sit, not so much for its sheer height (5700 feet) but for its sheer north face (about 600 feet straight down). The trail begins near a clear-cut and rises 1400 feet through increasingly thin forest before opening to the grand spectacle at the top: a 1929-vintage fire lookout on the tip-top of what appears to be a massive, stone-walled ship's bow. Look straight ahead for one of the most magnificent views of Mount Rainier anywhere in Washington. Look straight down, about 1400 feet, for an overhead view of Cora Lake. You'll want to spend some time here watching Rainier make its own weather, which in turn performs magical shadow-and-light shows across the mountain's full south face; you see these displays in better detail here than from anywhere inside Mount Rainier National Park. High Rock is a favorite early-morning and late-afternoon hangout for nature photographers. The fire lookout, the only one left in the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District (and one of only three in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest), is staffed in the summer. Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Features:
Ripe berries
Issues:
No water source
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We drove FS 85 to FS 8440 - wrong way! Road in terrible condition, requires high clearance. Instead, drive FS...
We drove FS 85 to FS 8440 - wrong way! Road in terrible condition, requires high clearance. Instead, drive FS 52 to FS 8440. It's 3 miles longer but in great shape, even a sedan can do it.
Trail was well populated. Hucks in ultra-ripe condition, lots of eating. Climb in cool shade for most of the 1.6 miles, only a few sunny spots. The trail is in great condition with a steady 1500 feet of climbing. A warm and crystal clear day allowed for views all the way to the Olympics and Mt. Hood - ridiculous! As we were hiking down around 7 pm the photographers started heading up. A full moon night, clear skies - probably got some great ones. Day hike
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Absolutely perfect weather at the lookout station at the top, it is a very steep hike in 1.5 hours, but...
Absolutely perfect weather at the lookout station at the top, it is a very steep hike in 1.5 hours, but the views are well worth it. We left the trailhead at about 9:30 am and were at the top about 11:15, going fairly slow & taking in the views on the way up. We had the place to ourselves. The condition of the lookout is deteriorating every year. A few trees on the trail but no big deal.
High Rock #266
— Jul 12, 2008
— jackurt
Day hike
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Access to the trail was not possible with a low clearance vehicle by the ""short"" method from Ashford. (South from...
Access to the trail was not possible with a low clearance vehicle by the ""short"" method from Ashford. (South from highway to Tee, turn right) The paved road isn't too bad but the gravel road has some serious damage. Not sure how far you could actually go but we turned back when the wheels were about to drop into a ditch. You could get closer by taking the ""long"" route past the campground and the lakes. (South from highway left at Tee past campground etc.) Several cars were parked at the point where a landslide covered the road with trees and probably hiked the last 1.5 miles (or so) to the trailhead. We turned back because it was late and we needed to find a campsite for the night.
High Rock #266
— Jun 28, 2008
— bridgeburner
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail
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Tried to get to high rock as it was HOT and clear on Saturday. Unfortunately the road is STILL snowed...
Tried to get to high rock as it was HOT and clear on Saturday. Unfortunately the road is STILL snowed in about 5 miles up (approx halfway to the trailhead). With the current temps, I'd expect it to be driveable in about 2 weeks.
High Rock #266
— Jul 01, 2007
— skidad
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mudholes | Bugs
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Having seen the picture of High Rock lookout in 101 hikes years ago and having it on my to do...
Having seen the picture of High Rock lookout in 101 hikes years ago and having it on my to do list ever since, I managed to make it out there today, herding a couple of 13 year old boys. The trail was in reasonable shape: A number of downed trees to clamber over and around but nothing insurmountable. The flies made us keep going, but once up on the rock they were grounded. They were not biting, just swarming. The gravel High Rock road from the paved forest road (52?) was in pretty bad shape. Lots of potholes and minor washouts reducing speed to a crawl in many places. Bottomed out VW Eurovan a couple of times but nothing bone jarring. The look out is in need of a spring cleaning: I poked around looking for a broom to clear out mouse droppings but found nothing. If you can, carry up a broom and a dust mask and give it a sweep and the lookout itself will be much more inviting for the rest of the season. |
Driving Directions
From Tacoma, drive State Highway 7 east to Elbe and continue on Highway 706 to Ashford. Continue east and turn right onto Kernahan Road. At about 1.5 miles, turn right onto Forest Road 85. Proceed 5.8 miles to FR 8440. Turn right and continue 4.5 miles to the trailhead on the left.
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