Tongue Mountain

One of several gorgeous peaks in the Dark Divide, Tongue Mountain offers a lovely walk through second-growth forest on a multi-use trail before branching off to a hiker-only trail to access the summit, which is the core of an ancient volcano.

From the trailhead at the saddle, the Tongue Mountain trail climbs Forest Road 2904 for 1 mile to the junction with Tongue Mountain Lookout Trail #294A. Veer right and navigate a 0.7-mile trail to the summit; a core of an extinct volcano.

The hiker-only section of this hike can be pretty steep and almost a scramble near the summit. Hikers who prefer to stay on trail can still get excellent views from the saddle without hiking to the summit.

The Tongue Mountain trail continues past the spur trail to the summit and there are two other ways to access the Tongue Mountain Trail. There is another trailhead at the north end of the trail, on Forest Road 2801, which offers a 4.20 mile approach hike and 2,723 feet of elevation gain. Or, try taking the High Bridge trail, which offers a short, very steep and somewhat rugged approach off the 29 road.

Whichever route you take, the 4,838 foot summit offers excellent views of the Cowlitz Valley District and south to Mount Adams.