Backbone Ridge
Aug 16, 2007
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Backbone Ridge
- Region: South Cascades
- Trails: Backbone Ridge (#164)
- Avg Rating: 2.50
I hiked an enjoyable portion of the backbone trail (#164, aka the Backbone Lake Trail or Backbone Ridge Trail) this Thursday, from the Stevens Canyon road in Mt. Rainier Park (10T 0607202 5173520), to the semi-bald knob above Backbone Lake, and back; about 5 miles round trip with several ups and downs. The weather was perfect for a forest walk, cool and cloudy. This segment of the trail is in good shape with only minimal blowdown that can be stepped over or around. It's a darn shame that this wonderful woodland trail, along a route once used by Taidnapam Indians, now seems to be completely abandoned from end to end. Jody's Bridge on FR 1270 was damaged in last year's storms, and the Forest Service doesn't have any funds to fix or replace it, even with a foot-log. You can swim or canoe across the swimming hole there when the water isn't running too high and fast, but crossing the bridge isn't allowed, even on foot, and can result in a ticket. The trail is no longer listed on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest web site.
The upper portion, north of Stevens Canyon road in Mt. Rainier National Park, was abandoned decades ago, and is rapidly fading away from lack of use. Last time I tried it, about a month ago, I could only follow it about a mile before it seemed to be completely gone, at 10T 0607128 5175011. There are blazes on some trees, but they are old and mostly healed. However, there is another trail segment, also abandoned, starting further east along the Stevens Canyon road, at the southern tip of a secondary ridge leading up Cowlitz divide. It's a little easier to follow, but still faint. It intersects with the old Backbone Ridge Trail, and there are still 2 trail signs at the junction (10 T 0608026 5176290). If you continue north and manage to stay on the trail you will come out on a large open rock formation (10T 0607955 5177202) with expansive views of Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier, some of the Goat Rocks, and a panorama of the Tatoosh Range (see photo). But if you stray too far to the east you will be on the wrong side of the steep edge of the formation.
A lower segment, starting at the old trailhead by the Muddy Fork, where the asphalt ends, was also abandoned when the trailhead was moved further up, to the end of the dirt road. This segment is not too difficult to follow at the present but will probably fade away now that hunters and campers can no longer easily access the area.
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Tatoosh Range from Backbone Ridge
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