Few times in life do hikers get the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful hiking adventure along a high, alpine ridge in a stunning wilderness area without first having to climb that ridge under their own steam. This is one of those rare opportunities. This route starts high from a road-end trailhead just outside the wilderness boundary, then rambles along the ridgeline of Burnt Mountain, onto the shoulder of Shellrock Peak, and then under the summit of Ironstone Mountain. Along the way, you'll explore wonderful ancient forests, cool forest glades, and flower-filled alpine meadows, and have ample opportunities to see wildlife and wide wilderness vistas-all without the thigh-burning ascents and knee-grinding descents that usually are the prices paid for such stellar scenery.

The Cash Prairie Trail rolls west through fragrant old forests and sun-dappled clearings for more than 1.7 miles to reach the lower flank of Burnt Mountain. From the east shoulder, the trail hooks around the meadows along the southside of the mountain, and a small scramble path leads hikers to the 6596-foot summit in less than 0.1 mile. This short off-trail excursion is generally worth the effort since the views from the summit are unmatched-you'll have a 360-degree view of all of the southern William O. Douglas Wilderness as well as south to the Goat Rocks and Mount Adams.After leaving Burnt Mountain, the trail descends gradually into the forest, dropping to 5850 feet in a shallow saddle (2.7 miles out) between Burnt Mountain and Shellrock Peak. From here, the trail climbs once more, winding upward through the timber country to the southern shoulder of Shellrock Peak (6350 feet) at mile 3.5. You'll find some broken views to the south, and nice looks north to the craggy summit of Shellrock, but push on for better scenery and more open vistas.The trail descends gradually from this point on, rolling down the ridgeline through pretty forests to the south face of Ironstone Mountain. Here, at about 6 miles out, you'll break out into the broad expanse of Fox Meadow below the summit of Ironstone Mountain. Turn around in this wildflower field for the long, gradual climb back to the trailhead.