Trails for everyone, forever

Home Go Hiking Hiking Guide Pompey Peak
link

WTA is a nonprofit that depends on donations from hikers like you

To help fund resources like this hiking guide you're on right now, we're working to raise $150,000 on #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving. If everyone who visited this site this weekend gave just $5, we would hit our fundraising goal. A donation of any size helps us create the resources you depend on.

Please take 2 minutes to chip in $5.

$5 button

Thank you and stay warm out there!

Pompey Peak

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
 46.4998, -121.7832 Map & Directions
Length
14.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
2000 feet
Highest Point
5180 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty
Hard
Full-size image
  • Mountain views
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Summits

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Northwest Forest Pass

With a road washout 5 miles from the actual trailhead, this relatively short hike has been extended into a fairly substantial dayhike. But the peak, just outside of Randle, does offer commanding views of the Cowlitz River valley, and a bushwhacking exploration for more adventurous hikers. Continue reading

Rating
4.33 out of 5

(3 votes) Log in to rate

13 trip reports for this trail

Write a trip report

Hiking Pompey Peak

With a road washout 5 miles from the actual trailhead, this relatively short hike has been extended into a fairly substantial dayhike. But the peak, just outside of Randle, does offer commanding views of the Cowlitz River valley, and a bushwhacking exploration for more adventurous hikers.

Named for a mule who lost its load during the construction of the (now gone) lookout at its summit, Pompey Peak is one of the most prominent peaks south of Highway 12, about eight miles east of Randle.

If you can brave the brushy trail and long road walk, this peak might reward you with exceptional views of Rainier, Adams, and the blasted side of Mount St. Helens. From the end of the 5 mile road walk, the extremely brushy trail continues for about 1.5 miles to the top of Pompey Peak.

Hike Description Written by
Multiple authors contributed to this report, WTA Community

Pompey Peak

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 46.4998, -121.7832 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

See weather forecast

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Northwest Forest Pass

WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

From Interstate 5, drive west on Highway 12 for about 48 miles to the town of Randle. In Randle, take Highway 131 and head south across the Cowlitz River. After 2 miles, hang a left onto Cispus Road, and follow this road for 3.5 miles. Turn left onto NF-2304.

Follow NF-2034 (a dirt road) for about 3.3 miles, where you'll reach a Y. Stay to the right and continue, driving uphill for another 2 miles.

Park in the small turnout, and walk the road for 5 miles to its end and the trailhead.

More Hike Details

Trailhead

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

Pompey Peak (#128)

Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Cowlitz Valley Ranger District

Guidebooks & Maps

Day Hiking: South Cascades (Nelson - Mountaineers Books)

Green Trails No. 301 Randle

Green Trails No. 302 Packwood

Green Trails No. 334 Blue Lake

Learn

Mount St. Helens — 40 Years After the Blast

Learn

Clearing a Path to Angry Mountain

You can improve or add to this guidebook entry

Together for Trails Giving Tuesday

Pompey Peak

13 Trip Reports

Hiked here recently?

Submit a trip report!
 
Trip Reports