Purcell Lookout — Saturday, Apr. 30, 2016

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

I probed up till snow become almost continuous. 4200'? But I'll back up to the start. Eastbound on U.S. 12, go a few miles past downtown Randle (Mt Adams Cafe). At milepost 120, go about 0.9 miles more. Turn Left on Davis Creek Rd. Go 1.1 miles to ROAD CLOSED signs and barriers, and Turn Left on unsigned FS RD 63. Go 4.6 miles. Park at waterfall on right. Walk up road 150 yds to abandoned road 63-057 on your left. You've made it. Go about a quarter mile to Davis Creek. The old logging road bridge is gone. And the trail is definitely not a stock trail. You'll want a staff at the creek, and on the far side you'll just touch with your hands to climb back out. Go further on old road to next big washout. Old trail sign is on right. At first it is on an even older, less developed road. The transition to pure trail is seamless. The guide us also out of date when it says clearcut and exposed to sun. Trees are now 10-14" dbh, with a few bigger. Trail is well shaded, even in old logged areas. One gripe. When the FS walked away from roads that accessed trails why didn't they add a new sign back on the remaining road, in this case FS RD 63. On this Region they don't do this. See same issue on access to Dry Creek trail, from the S. Fk. Skok side on the Olympic Forest. OK, gripe over. Excercise caution dropping the last 100' into Davis Creek. Maintenance has used machetes. A few of the staubs on this short piece are at eye level. With that exception the local maintenance has been helpful. Back to today. A good walk, and trail is a good walk at perfect grade. I want to come back and turn south at the ridge, away from the old lookout. A place labeled Little Paradise must have great flowers.