Klickitat Trail — Saturday, Sep. 26, 2015

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

Started out from forest road 22 to go to Sanctuary Arch. There wasn't a lot of information on the internet and I saw that the backcountry horseman had cleared the trail a few years ago. The trail was in good shape to the top of mission mountain. Once I got to the top though I couldn't figure out the trail. I walked along the rock face and down into the woods. I located the trail but not the arch. Finally came to a lake, so I knew I had gone too far. On the way back I climbed to the top of a cliff but couldn't see an arch. Lots of signs of goats but never saw one. Then bees stung me about 10 times. Still no arch. After 2 hours looking for an arch I decided that it was just a rock with a hole in and decided to go back. I was a little worried about accidently walking off a cliff. Then magically it appeared and it was cool. It is not that far from the top of Mission Mountain. Stay high instead of going down to the trail like I did. Came out in the dark but luckily it was a full moon. Also had a nice view across to the goat rocks from the trail.