Road Tripping Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Viewpoint on top of Observation Peak.
St. Helens, Rainier, Goat Rocks and Adams

I had been wanting to explore the Gifford Pinchot for some time. Lots of amazing trails, waterfalls and viewpoints hidden within this national forest is SW Washington. Tucked between Mt. St. Helen's and Mt. Adam, with the Indian Heaven Wilderness smack dab in the middle, this area doesn't get a lots of press. With that in mind, Kerrie and I setoff on a weekend road trip to learn what we could about this wild country so close to the Portland area.

Like most of my trips, started this adventure with a long run in the Trapper Creek Wilderness.

From this viewpoint, I could see all of the major volcanos in the area.
Hood and Jefferson looking south.

Love the old school Basil Clark signs. They really make the area unique since not many areas have custom signs. The only other area that I know has them are the trails around Wygant Peak. What's left of them away.

Wasn't expecting this waterfall. Always love when that happens.

Back in the car and heading towards the Lewis River Area. Lunch at an awesome little viewpoint.

Curly Creek Falls

Lower Lewis River Falls

Middle Lewis River Falls. I went to the upper falls too but forgot to take a pic of that one. Guess I'll have to go back.

Shout out to Andrew Langfield 

Kerrie hates mosquitos so I thought it would be great to camp out at Big Mosquito Lake. Luckily the bugs weren't bad. It was the frogs that we had issues with.

Getting the dispersed camping thing down to a science. Gotta love the #hotelement

One of new favorite beers. Ultra Gnar Gnar by Basecamp Brewing. Great IPA, great name and great can. Well done my friends. 

Somebody never read Harry Potter. So much good stuff to come!

Hidden Lake, i think...

Where was this campsite last night? After bottoming out on a few fire roads looking for a viewpoint, we resigned to camp at Big Mosquito Lake. Only to find this pullout just down the road from Cultus Lake campground.

Met up with the family on Sunday for a little mother's day hiking.
Falls Creek Falls. 

Panther Creek Falls