Klickitat Trail

The Klickitat Trail has been in use for possibly 2000 years. One of a number of trails connecting villages east and west of the Cascades, the Klickitat Trail ran between the east side settlements of Yakama and Klickitat people and the west side Taitnapam (Upper Cowlitz) settlements along the Cowlitz River. Because it crosses the Cascades at the headwaters of the Klickitat River, it became known as the Klickitat Trail.

The trail travels in mostly open territory. With the addition of several other existing trails, the entire west side route can be traced.

From the Cowlitz River Valley bottom at 950 feet elevation, the Pompey Peak Trail climbs to the ridgetop near Pompey Peak, joining the Klickitat Trail after about five miles.

For nearly 15 miles, the trail stays on the ridgeline, always close to a mile high in elevation! This offers a wide variety of landscapes: deep forest, sub-alpine meadows, lakes and tarns, rocky peaks and cliffs, an abundance of wildflowers, and expansive views including Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and the Goat Rocks Wilderness.

Near the eastern terminus of the Klickitat Trail, a section of trail descends to a low pass and Hugo Lake, then on to Chambers Lake. From there, the Snowgrass Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail ascend to Cispus Pass at 6473 feet, and the crossing of the Cascades into the Klickitat River valley, where you may spot a faint trail contouring the headwaters.

After years of no maintenance, the 17 mile Klickitat Trail is benefiting from a joint effort by Washington Trails Association, Back Country Horsemen of Washington, and other volunteer groups. Locations that have been difficult to access for years are beginning to be opened up thanks to regular trail maintenance from these groups.