N7UN's blog

This is a GPS-required hike in order to return safely to your parked vehicle.  This is a treed, non-descript summit. You can get within 1/2-mile on FR2505 then it's a bushwhack to the summit AZ.  I parked at the rusted gate just before FR2505 becomes quite narrow.  I followed the narrow road up for about 1/4-mile until it ended, then marked a waypoint and started the final 1/4-mile bushwhack to the summit.  There is a decent forest road that leads the summit but couldn't determine where that road leads coming down from the summit.

Burley Mtn is a drive-up to an open fire lookout with expansive views of Rainier, St. Helens, and Mt Adams.  You can stay overnight at the lookout on a first-come basis.  But bring some sheets as the two beds and mattresses are grundgy. There is a wood stove for heat so also bring some firewood to take the morning chill off.  This is an exposed area so it can be quite windy.  There is a picnic bench and some trees for your antennas.  Best terrain takeoffs are to the east and south...a radio repeator tower is on the west side of the peak.

Plan a clear day for this trip since the mountain views (St Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt Hood, Mt Rainier) are spectacular from the summit area.  The views of the Mt St Helens north crater and blast zone are iconic.  This hike should be on the "must do" list in order to gain insight into the blast and destruction caused by the 1980 eruption.

Access Info:  There may be other routes for this summit but I choose to park at the Stavebolt Creek gate off Logan Rd.  Gated parking for about 4 cars at 46.0828, -123.8339.  

The hike on good logging roads is about 3.5 miles to 46.0724, -123.8095.  Then a well-traveled game trail begins a bushwhack of about 200 vertical feet to the summit.  The AZ is all undergrowth with no real clear areas.  Ugly, really.

Access Info:  Take SR25 south from Randle or north from Cougar.  Head west on SR99 for 4.5 mi to the Bear Meadow Viewpoint.  Restrooms at the viewpoint parking area.  Read the interpretive signage at this viewpoint since this is where many of the iconic photographs were made of the St. Helens eruption in process by photographer Reynolds, who barely escaped with his family.

Access:  Since SR26 is closed from the north due to a washout, you must come in on SR26 from the south. Take SR25 south out of Randle then SR99 west towards Windy Ridge.  At approx 11 mi in, take SR26 north for about 1 mi to the Norway Pass TH parking area.  Restrooms are available.

Note:  The Independance Ridge trail is closed due to a washout.

Access:  Since SR26 is closed from the north due to a washout, you must come in on SR26 from the south. Take SR25 south out of Randle then SR99 west towards Windy Ridge.  At approx 7 mi in, take SR25 north to 1/4 mi past the Ryan Lake Interpretive Site road.  Take the TH road west for about 1/2 mi.

I echo AK5SD's comments.  Don't go thru the gate but park in nearby areas at the gate.  This road is frequented by fire crews and other Rangers who may be only visiting the lookout for a few minutes.  Don't get caught behind a locked gate!   And the lookout road is mostly a one-way which would create problems if you met traffic.  It's only about a mile hike (750 ft elev gain) from the gate to the lookout.

Road Access: Good to Trailhead. The last 1/4-mi to summit is a bushwhack over steep terrain and fallen trees, undergrowth dense in areas. High-clearance 2WD okay to the recommended parking area. Access: East from Yacolt on Sunset Falls Rd which turns into FR42. Travel the pot-holed FR42 until it intersects with FR53. Then travel NW for about 1/2-mi until the next intersection and a rock quarry. FR5304 is not marked but is the eastern most road. Travel about 1/2 mi NE then park at the "Y" fork in the road.

Park at the Marple Mountain Sno Park overflow area which is on the south side of SR83. Plenty of parking room in the non-snow months.  

Follow FR8312 to the summit which is about 4 mi one way.  Easy hike up an old logging road.  The summit is a site of an old firetower but is now used as a USGS Mt St Helens monitoring site.  Enough room at the summit for an EFHW.  Good vistas of Mt Adams but St Helens is obscured by the forrested summit.