Johnson Mountain

Escape the crowds and access early season views in the Teanaway. Starting on an old forest road and ending on a climbers’ trail, this mostly exposed hike passes through wildflowers and a burn area to reach the Johnson Mountain summit with views of the Enchantments, Rainier, the Teanaway River Valley and wind farms of eastern Washington.  

This entry describes the route to Johnson Mountain via Way Creek Trail #1235. Johnson Mountain can also be accessed via 3 options: Jungle Creek #1383.1, linking Johnson Medra #1383 to Jungle Creek or extending Koppen Mountain #1225.

For the Way Creek route, start from the north end of the parking area and hike steeply uphill on an exposed old forest road, gaining 800 feet in the first 0.8 miles. 

At about 0.85 miles, the trail narrows to single-hiker width and enters a burn area caused by the Jolly Mountain Fire in 2017. Johnson Mountain summit appears ahead. Views of the surrounding Teanaway River Valley open up to the right, the historic summering lands of the Yakama, Cayuse and Nez Perce tribes. 

The trail crests a hill at about 1.1 miles and the grade eases up and becomes rolling. Keep an eye out for peekaboo views of Rainier to the southwest. 

Continue around the side of Johnson Mountain — beware of eroded sandy slopes and spiky plants growing into the trail. In late spring and early summer, the trail may be colorfully adorned with lupine, paintbrush, arrowleaf balsamroot and more. 

At about 2 miles, the trail reaches a saddle; turn right to continue towards Johnson.

After another 0.3 miles, the trail reaches another saddle and offers views of Mount Stuart and the Enchantments. Continuing straight here would take you on Koppen Mountain trail #1225 to reach Malcolm and Koppen Mountains.

Take a sharp right on the faint trail to ascend Johnson. After 0.1 miles, keep right on the climbers’ trail. The more clearly marked trail going left into the forested area is the continuation of the Way Creek trail, leading to its official end where it meets up with Jungle Creek trail #1381.1 after 1 mile. 

The next 0.3 miles ascending 300 feet up Johnson Mountain alternates between a faint climbers’ trail of dust and gravel to no defined trail through rock, passing a false summit along the way.

The small rocky summit of Johnson Mountain offers views of Stuart and the Enchantments, the Teanaway, the distant wind farms of Eastern Washington and — on a clear day — Rainier. In late spring and early summer, yellow cinquefoil and pale pink lewisia brighten the rocks.

WTA Pro Tip: Watch for ticks! They’re common on this trail and very good at climbing onto people, pets, and even under clothes. Conduct tick checks while hiking and after returning to the trailhead.