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A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS |
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MOVE MOUSE OVER TO VIEW QUICK-LINK MAP CLICK ON ANY HIKE ICON TO JUMP TO THAT HIKE |
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Hike Length: |
5 miles round trip |
Elev. Change: |
800' gain |
Hike Difficulty: |
Moderate |
Type of Hike: |
In and Out with Loop |
Season: |
Spring thru Fall |
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Trail Numbers: |
#228, 256, 228-A |
Trail Condition: |
Good |
Trail Access: |
Excellent |
Trail Signage: |
Good |
Features: |
Views, Wildflowers, Waterfalls |
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Pet Friendly: |
Not really |
Useage: |
Moderate |
Permit: |
NW FP NOT Required |
Horses: |
No |
Mtn Bikes: |
No |
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Summary:
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This hike is actually a series of little hikes tied
together. The area around the Cispus Learning Center
has a number of hiking opportunities, none of which
are very vigorous, except the climb of Burley
Mountain. I did not include Burley Mtn on this CD.
I parked in the Cispus Learning Center parking area
to do this hike, but you don't need to. If you do,
please let them know what you are doing, don't just
take the parking area for granted.
Walk across the road an begin the hike up Covel Creek.
The trail criss-crosses the creek with a couple of
bridges before it begins its serious climb. At
about 1.5 miles the trail splits. Take the right
turn, as you will eventually come back via the
trail to the left.
Just a few feet past this junction you will come to
the first falls, which I call Covel Creek Falls. One
of the unique things about this falls is that the
trail goes behind falls. This is a pretty little
falls and well worth the walk to see it.
The trail continues past the falls and begins a
rather serious climb up a ridge. In about a
quarter mile the trail levels out then begins
downhill.
Soon the trail meets up with the Burley Mtn Trail.
Bear left and head downhill to Angel Falls. This
is another small but beautiful falls and well
worth the effort.
Now continue on down the Burley Mtn Trail until
you come to the return trail that takes you back
toward Covel Creek Falls and the junction that
you passed just before that falls.
You will now walk below a steep cliffy area that
is unique in its own right. When you get back
to the junction you passed earlier, bear right
and head back down the mountain the way you came
up. When you come to the 1st major bridge, bear
right and cross the bridge and take an alternate
route back to the beginning of the trail.
I'm assuming that the yellow rope along this section
of the trail is for the sight impaired.
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The following images are random samples of the wildflowers found in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Mouseover image to view flower name, and click on image to jump to flower guide.
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Directions:
From Randle, travel south on State Road 131, crossing the Cowlitz River and in a mile
you will come to Cispus Road on your left. Bear left and follow Cispus Road, which become
Forest Road 23, for another 5.2 miles and you will pass Forest Road 55 on your left.
Continue on FR23 for another mile and you will pass Forest Road 083 on your left, which
is the road to Layser Cave. But you keep straight ahead on FR23 for another 1.9 miles.
You will then come to the junction of Forest Road 28. Turn right on FR28 and cross the
Cispus River. A mile from SR23 you will come to the junction of Forest Road 29.
Bear right onto FR28 and drive a short distance and you will come to Forest Road 76.
Bear right onto FR76 for another 3/4 mile to the parking area for Cispus Environmental
Learning Center. The trail is just across the road from the parking area.
Click on the link below to see a map taking you to the trailhead.
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A Virtual Hike in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
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