Backpacking the Northwest

Highlights:
Busy trail used by hikers, bikes, and horses. Pretty waterfalls and nice camping

Summary:
Siouxon Creek is well known in the area for having easy access, miles of nice trails, good camping spots scattered along the trail, and many options to make side trips. There are many spots to sit and reflect on the beauty around you as you are swayed by the music of the river. Be careful on the upper end of the trail as steep switchbacks make it a little risky for children. Bugs can be a problem in the summer. Make an overnight adventure for you and your friends, and explore the many side trails. Hikers be aware the many mountain bikes use the trail as well, so be advised. I like the early springtime the best as there are no bugs, and no people.

Trailhead:
Drive either north or south along Hwy 503 to the small town of Chelatchie, and turn East onto NE Healy road. Follow this route for 9.2 miles, and turn left on Rd. 57 After another mile or so, turn left again onto Rd. 5701, still following only the paved road to the trailhead in a little more than 4 miles. (Lat:45.94618 Lon:-122.17826) Some Reviews of his hike
Reviewed by Pat on 9/27/2007
Took my wife a ways up the trail. No other hikers today. Had a good time and she wants to go back.
Reviewed by Anna37 on 7/26/2007
This is a 1.5 hour drive from Portland, and can be hard to find. Once you pass Calamity Peak, it’s still a good half hour drive down 57 to the trailhead. Seems desolate at first, but we passed several couples and mtn bikers during the course of about five hours. It’s just beautiful here. The river runs all along the first few miles, with gorgeous waterfalls and swimming holes to cool off in. The trail is good for running and hiking, and is by far one of the better mountain biking trails on the area. I didn’t do this whole trail, but am excited to return and get farther out to the views of Mount St Helens. With so many options, it’s a bit like spending the day at an outdoors-themed fun park. Amazing experience.

Reviewed by Kristen on 6/25/2007
For horse users, stay at the first parking area! The second one is too narrow and almost impossible to get turned around (especially if cars are there). Also, first parking lot will only fit 3-4 rigs. Trails were okay, some creek crossings, some steep slopes on one side of the trail dropping off to the creek. Trail guide describes bridge but its for foot traffic only (not horses) and you come to it right away. Trail was a little narrow in a few spots (for horses) but in most places okay. Trails were cleared of logs and such. Lots of pretty waterfalls. Water was crystal clear. Lots of hikers on the trail. Trails were fairly well marked. Quite a bit of tree cover.

Reviewed by RT on 10/2/2006
Forest service road was being paved today (Oct 2nd). Took an hour before I could get through. Also, made it to a waterfall lookout and had something growl at me…Couldn’t see what it was, possibly a coyote??? Other than that, a peaceful hike. Tried to get up Horseshoe Ridge but it was too strenuous for me…Nothing gradual about that trail! Maybe next year!

Reviewed by tz on 8/18/2006
Great for camping with kids. It is a short hike in (about a 1/2 mile) to a place to pitch a tent. Then you can hike, swim and explore with the kidlings. This was the first backpacking trip we took our baby (6 months) on, and is a good trip for first time packers–short but big trees, a creek, waterfalls, and a sweet bridge to jump off of into icy water.

Reviewed by Zack on 5/17/2006
Me and my friends first came here on a day hike, and we’ve gone back since to camp, and just recently (5/15/2006) to do some mountain biking. Beautiful surroundings and views of Siouxon Creek as the trail snakes along the water’s path. There are several great spots to take an icey dip to cool off and eat a little snack as well!

Reviewed by Rema on 4/3/2006
What a great hike! I think my dog loved it as much as I did. Not crowded at all, only saw 4 other people. I have no complaints! Directions were good, trail was nice and all one could hear was the sound of flowing water. I will definitely return and try going further, or attempt Horseshoe Ridge. Waterfalls were very pretty!

Reviewed by Jim on 1/16/2006
Nice teaser! Limited on time, we went only two miles in from the TH to the second bridge. The hike took a mix of experienced and novice hikers less that 90 minutes roundtrip. Winter allowed us to have the extremely accessible trail virtually to ourselves. This also provided us a short, picturesque drive to and from the TH. My sister lives in Amboy so we will be back.