Tatoosh Ridge

South Cascades

updated 3 weeks ago

The road to the Tatoosh North Trailhead is consistently described as rough but passable, with a notable rut or deep crack that requires careful navigation, though several reports indicate success in sedans and small SUVs. The trail itself is steep, especially in the first 2.5 miles, but well-maintained with minimal blowdowns. Snow is absent. Fall colors were noted as being in full swing in mid-September, but by late October, the meadow grasses were brown. Water sources are scarce, with only a dribble reported in late August. Bugs were an annoyance in late July but absent in reports from September and October. Parking at the trailhead is limited.

Generated from 20 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.

What hikers ask about Tatoosh Ridge

Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 3 weeks ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.

No trip reports on this trail in 3 weeks, so everything below is at least that old.

The road is generally rough with some significant potholes and a notable rut that requires careful driving. Most reports indicate it is passable with sedans and small SUVs, though high clearance is recommended by some. The latest report from October 19 noted the road was suitable for all vehicles, but previous reports from September suggested higher clearance was advisable.

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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.

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Sources

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

The FS road in to the north trailhead isn’t bad at all . My Outback with 200,000 miles and street tires handled it fine. Just take it slow, and you’ll be ok.No joke about the first two miles of trail ...

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

Despite all of the hype about the road to the north trailhead being uniquely bad, I'd honestly give it a 4/10 on the "bad forest road" scale. There's the noted brief rut that others have posted about ...

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

As mentioned in other reports, the road to the Tatoosh North Trailhead can be a bit of an adventure. You'll probably want a high clearance vehicle (or at least not a low clearance once), the 2007 Kia ...

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

Getting to the Tatoosh North Trailhead is the start of this adventure. I read the trip reports and I knew I would need a high clearance vehicle. There were one or two places where it was nice to have ...

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

Found a tiny bag with a knife and ear plugs. Awesome use of a Monday! Trail is steep and narrow, generally in good shape but has just a few semi-exposed narrow steps, would not be fun wet, and poles a...

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

So the road is fine as ling as you get past that one section lol. We kept to the right and had that ravine in the middle of the car and it was fine. (Shoutout to the ppl in the white truck who told us...

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

I’ve been thinking of hiking this trail for a few years, and FS5270 road and TR161 trail from recent reports looked favorable.  Most of the road can be done without a high clearance vehicle, it’s that...

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

We hiked Tatoosh Ridge on Tuesday, starting from the North Trailhead. This was my first time on the trail, and it turned out to be incredibly beautiful. The road to the trailhead has numerous potholes...

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

Tatoosh peak-earn your viewing pleasures-flowers at peak and mountains (hazy view of Adams and helens today/Rainier in your face from the top. Climb is no joke.I would recommend starting this hike at ...

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

Hiked from the NORTH trailhead. Previous reports about the degrading condition of FS Road 5270 are accurate. There is one spot where the road is already washing away and has extremely deep ruts. This ...