Great Vistas from the Termination Point summit! Location: Lat: 45.9921, Long: -121.9627
Located SE of Swift Reservoir in the Gifford Pinchot NF, Termination Point was the site of a now abandoned FS lookout. Kreske's book says it was built in the 1930s but later abandoned. The view of Adams, Rainier, and St Helens are majestic and with a little hike to the south, Mt Hood. The summit is small, about 20' x 20' but with steep dropoffs to the east.
Getting There:
Driving in from the south, Wind River Rd (FR30) becomes Meadow Creek Rd near the Gov't Mineral Springs turnoff. 1) NF31 to the west is about 3.6 mi north of the Paradise Creek Campground. 2) Once on NF31, at 2.4 mi angle left on the unmarked FS Rd 110. 3) At 3.5 mi, go left at the "Y". 4) At about 3.6 mi experience the "Big Muddy", a 30 ft long and very deep mud puddle. It is about a foot deep without a rock bottom. I had to go into 4 wheel lock (4-Low) and had locking differentials and it was still sketchy. As the "Big Muddy" dries out this summer, it should be more navigable by All-Wheel drive vehicles with high clearance but if its wet and/or full of water, I'd park and walk the extra half-mile; not worth getting stuck and having to winch out. 5) The 110 road, after the "Big Muddy", is fine up to the trail head parking area, about another 1/2-mi. There is a turn-around and space for several cars to park. See map attached to this post.
First, at the trailhead, set a waypoint for your parked car. You most likely will need to navigate back to that waypoint on your return trip. The 1/2-mile uphill trail is "sketchy and barely discernible" and is crisscrossed by many game trails. I found it almost impossible to find the trail on my return trip. Returning, it's way to easy to get off track on the game trails going to the east. I had to "dead-reckon" navigate back to my waypoint.
Because of its history and views, this would be a good "Lost Trail Found" WTA project.
But the clear-day vista from the summit is fantastic! And the mystery of the "Heyer" cross is interesting. Very enjoyable site for lunch and admiring the vista.
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