Gifford Pinchot National Forest High Rock Hike Hike 05
Length: 3.2 Miles round trip Elevation Change: 1365 Elevation gain Season: Mid-Summer thru Fall Difficulty: Challenging Permit: NW Forest Pass Required Features:
The hike to the top of High Rock is an unique experience.
The trail is very steep, but well defined until you reach
the top. The hike begins at Forest Road 8440 and immediately
begins a steep climb.
There are a few vistas at the very beginning of the hike,
but most of the views are at the end when you reach the top
of High Rock. For the most part the trail climbs through
forested areas. Interestingly, this hike has a couple of
wooden benches for a hiker to rest on while hiking up the
trail.
In season the flowers, especially Beargrass, are very plentiful.
Avalanche Lilies, Lupine, and Paintbrush are abundant in season.
Mosquitos are also abundant in season, which seems to last from
the beginning of January to the end of December (hee hee).
This hike is very popular and frequently hiked. Nevertheless,
it is truly worth the effort. If you can, hike the trail
during the week, and you will have a lot less company. Also,
there is a motorize vehicle season on this hike, so check
with the local forest service to learn of the dates.
High Point is only one of 3 peaks in the Gifford Pinchot NF
that has a lookout on top of it. When you approach the summit,
you must use extreme care to stay away from the cliff located
on the north side of the mountain. The trail is pretty much
obscure at this point, and cables have been installed in the
rock to give climbers a secure hold on the mountain.
The north side of the mountain has a 600 foot cliff, with another
1000 feet to bounce off on your way down, so be extremely
careful. This is no place for those afraid of heights, or
for those with immature judgement. Having said that, I must
also say that the views up there are just awesome.
Of course Mt Rainier is the main attraction. But there is also
the Sawtooth Range itself, then to the northeast, the Tatoosh
Range, and to the east-southeast are the Goat Rocks, followed to
the southeast by Mt Adams, and to the south Mt Hood, and last
but not least, to the south-southwest is Mt St Helens.
This is an arial view without the airplane.
A Virtual Hike in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
