| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS | SUBSCRIBE | NEWSLETTERS | MAPS | VIDEOS | BLOGS | MARKETPLACE | CONTESTS |
 |
|
|
|
Seattle, WA: Horse Lake Mountain
The 8-mile out-and-back to Horse Lake Mountain passes pristine mountain views, vibrant wildflowers, and a diverse bird population.
Map Tools
Share Trip
- E-mail Trip
- Embed Map
- Social Bookmarks more bookmarks...
Download To
Create A Trip
Related Topics
Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.
| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Washington (WA) |
| Distance: | 3.99 mi |
| Difficulty: | 5 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Monitor |
| Rating: | Unrated |
This 8-miler starts in Number Two Canyon and climbs an old road past giant ponderosas, a willow-lined creek, and countless wildflowers. At mile 1.8, the path winds through returning forest peppered with silver snags from recent burns—watch for woodpeckers, warblers, and mountain bluebirds. The terrain levels slightly and enters a diverse ecosystem filled with pine trees and sage after 2.4 miles (where 100-foot side path diverges from the road to spectacular views above Number One Canyon).
One mile later, bear right at a fork in the road, heading north toward Horse Lake Mountain; search the skies for raptors and turkey vultures that circle overhead. After 3.8 miles, bear right at a 4-way junction, and follow the trail to a highpoint on Horse Lake Mountain with panoramic views. Before retracing your route to the trailhead, scope out Glacier Peak and the Entiat Mountains that rise in the distant northwest, and scan the southwest horizon for Mount Rainier's familiar profile.
-Mapped by Alan Bauer, Alan Bauer Photography
TO TRAILHEAD: From S. Mission St. and Orondo Ave., head southwest on Orondo Ave. In 0.7 mile, continue straight onto Cherry St. In 1.2 miles, turn left onto S. Western Ave. In 0.1 mile, bear right onto Number 2 Canyon Rd. Follow 4.3 miles to a small parking pull-out at the end of the paved road.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Horse Lake Mountain
| Distance: 3.99 mi | Points: 245 |
Points of Interest
HLM001
Location: 47.390766, -120.422844Park in the small pullout at the end of the paved road, and then hike west up the steep (and rough) 4-wheel drive road. Ahead, the road passes by giant ponderosa pine trees (look for woodpeckers) and willows that line the creek.
HLM002
Location: 47.393833, -120.430580The dirt road swings left, paralleling the creek; a moderate climb begins ahead. Pass through a gate and stay straight on Number Two Canyon road. During spring, this open area is filled with seasonal wildflowers.
HLM003
Location: 47.397369, -120.436394Follow the road around a sharp left bend, passing a well-used trail the heads up the gully to the north.
HLM004
Location: 47.398266, -120.438324A broad, grassy valley dotted with pine trees stretches out to the west. Hike northwest along the dirt road. Keep an eye our for flycatchers and warblers zipping around the landscape.
HLM005
Location: 47.403782, -120.443031Wind through a recent burn area dotted with dead trees. Next, the road switchbacks to the left, revealing the first views to the south of the Mission Ridge regions.
HLM006
Location: 47.404675, -120.442001Silver snags from recent burns pepper this returning pine forest. Watch for red-breasted sapsuckers, downey woodpeckers, and three-toed woodpeckers. You may spot passing warblers, mountain bluebirds, and western tanagers.
HLM007
Location: 47.409927, -120.440865The terrain becomes less steep as you enter a diverse ecosystem filled with pine trees and sage. Look closely for elk and deer that roam the gullies leading down through the forest. Overlook: Follow an obvious path that leads off the road (to the right) about 100 feet to spectacular views of Number One Canyon winding east toward the Columbia River and Wenatchee. Views also extend to the Waterville Plateau. Continue hiking north.
HLM008
Location: 47.416553, -120.444069Follow the sharp left bend in the road to the southwest. Pass a trail that heads northeast off the road (marked with a homemade 'Road Rage' sign.
HLM009
Location: 47.415550, -120.445236The road switchbacks to the right, revealing vast views to the south and southwest. Bear right @ Y-junction toward Horse Lake Mountain. Search the skies for groups of turkey vultures that circle overhead. Raptors use the updrafts coming out of Number One Canyon to soar over the ridgeline here (northern harriers and blue grouse are a common sight, too).
HLM010
Location: 47.420181, -120.440460You have two options: <p> 1. Bear right @ 4-way junction (as shown on map) and follow the trail heading northeast to a highpoint on Horse Lake Mountain. Early spring wildflowers (yellow bells, prairie star flowers, sage buttercups, desert bluebells, arrowleaf balsamroot, and desert parsley) bloom along this open ridge. Bluebirds and violet-green swallows zip around in the air. <p> 2. To add a quarter mile to your trip, turn left @ 4-way intersection, and follow the 650-foot trail (not mapped) west to the summit of Horse Lake Mountain. Retrace steps to Waypoint 10 and continue straight @ 4-way to a separate highpoint on Horse Lake Mountain.
HLM011
Location: 47.420712, -120.437752Views extend in every direction from this open summit. To the west is the Stuart Mountain Range. Glacier Peak and the high peaks of the Entiat Mountains rise in the distant northwest. Northeast views stretch to Chelan Butte along the Columbia River, while eastern views reach to the Columbia Basin. Mount Rainier breaks up the southwest horizon. Return to Waypoint 10 and turn left @ 4-way to reach the trailhead.
Mountain Views
Location: 47.420719, -120.437744Snow-capped peaks rise dramatically behind conifers and sagebrush. © Alan Bauer
Related Trips
Comments Post a comment
0 Trip Comments
National Parks Hall of Fame
The best videos, photos, and beta
from Denali to the Smokies.
GearFinder
Find all the outdoor equipment you need.
Photo & Video Center
Essential gear, instruction, and more.
GPS Trails App for iPhone & Android
Locate, research, plan, and save trips on your smartphone.
