Gifford Pinchot National Forest
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Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Forest Headquarters Cowlitz Valley Mt. Adams Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Monument Headquarters Johnston Ridge Observatory Mount St. Helens
TTY: Phone for the Deaf
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Trails Guide |
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SIOUXON #130Siouxon Ranger District:Mt. AdamsTrailhead:Siouxon (Lower) - There are two trailheads on Forest Road 5701. The first trailhead is at a sharp corner in the road. The most popular trailhead is at the end of the 5701 road. Siouxon (Upper) - Trailhead is on FR 58 near Sister Rock. Length:12 miles (19.3 km)Trail Uses:
Season of Use:June-NovemberElevation:High: 3,400 feet, Low: 1,200 feetVisitor Use:HighAccess:Road 57 & 5701 (lower trail) Road 58 (upper trail) Special Conditions:The trail can be accessed from two locations along Road 5701. The first entry point is at Mile Marker 1. This parking area can accommodate horse trailers. The next access point is 3 miles further, at the end of the road. The parking area is smaller and horse trailers may have difficulty finding room at this trailhead. People wanting to do a car shuttle should use the 54 road because is the best maintained road to the 58 road area. Travel the 54 road to the 5407 to the 58 road.Description:This trail can be accessed from two points on Forest Road 5701. Approximately one mile down Forest Road 5701, after the first hair-pin bend, is the first entry point. This parking area can accommodate horse trailers. The next access point is 3 miles further, at the end of the road. The parking area is smaller, and horse trailers may have trouble finding a parking space and maneuvering if many vehicles are present at the trailhead. From the second trailhead, at the end of Forest Road 5701, the trail descends to cross West Creek and then follows Siouxon Creek upstream. The trail intersects with trail #140 Horseshoe Ridge trail in approximately 1 mile. Proceeding upstream the trail intersects with trail #156 at the confluence of Siouxon and Wildcat Creeks, after two miles. A short distance away the trail intersects trail #140 again. Continuing on Siouxon trail #130 about 1/2 mile further lies trail #130A. The trail parallels Siouxon Creek for about 3 miles, until reaching Calamity Creek. Calamity Creek crosses the trail and spans about 20 feet of the trail skimming over rocks. Caution is needed as the rocks can be slippery! The trail gains 1900 feet in the final 3 miles, with steep switchbacks making the ascent easier. The trail terminates on Forest Road 58. Users who elect to begin from Forest Road 58 should be aware that the switchbacks are difficult to negotiate and one does risk falling. Walking your horse or mountain bicycle offers a safe alternative.Features:From the first trailhead, Hickman's Cabin, a moss-covered shelter offers a glimpse of the past. Fires periodically swept through the Siouxon area for 30 years after the Yacolt Burn of 1902. Hickman's Cabin, built in the 1930's, served as a base camp for fire prevention forestry workers. Cross-cut saws were sharpened and stored inside, while workers stayed in tents. Crews of sawyers cut down many highly flammable dead trees to create a fire break. Much of the downed timber is still visible today. From the trailhead at the end of Forest Road 5701 delightful waterfalls await the trail visitor. A rustic log bridge crosses West Creek after descending from the trailhead. Visitors can view the cascading Horseshoe Falls form the bridge above, or venture across the bridge and take the short .8 mile trail to get a view from the bottom. Continuing about 1 mile further on Siouxon trail #130, the surging waterfall forms a large emerald green pool with tan step-like rocks at the banks. Mosses, big clover and ferns are abundant. ZQZ |
US Forest Service
Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Vancouver, WA
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - Amboy, WA
Last Modified: Wednesday, 20 August 2008 at 16:40:18 EDT