Weekend Gem-The Lewis River Trail

The River flows through awesome chasms on its way to the Columbia

In my opinion, the Lewis River is the best of all the things that make an epic river valley in the Northwest, lots of old growth trees, a diverse and powerful river and isolation. All of these things with a lower trailhead that is at 1200ft. and accessible in winter makes this the best local river hike in the off season. Start by driving to the Curly Creek TH, for the best old growth section. The trail starts in second growth trees, but quickly starts going deeper into the valley reveling some giant trees in about 1.5 miles. Along the way, you pass a few camp spots scattered along the river before you get to the historic Bolt Camp Shelter at 2.5 miles. I recommend going in another mile or so where the real good camp spots can be had along with a little more isolation from day hikers. Along the way, you enter an ancient flood plain where giant cedars and doug firs can be found in all directions, some of the biggest just off the trail. In about 5 miles, the trail starts climbing away from the river, camps and most of the old growth as you cross above a waterfall and some side streams on your way to an amazing viewpoint high above the river of some huge columnar basalt cliffs, 7.5 miles from the trailhead. This makes a great spot to turn around for the day before the trail hits Route 90, I recommend making a camp past the flood plain and day hiking to viewpoint. Get back to camp and enjoy the ice cold beer that you have deposited in the river earlier and kick back for a great night.

Her is the biggest cedar I could find!

The cliffs from the viewpoint