Getting Oriented
The northern entrance leaves US-12 at Randle, three miles west of town. The southern entrance leaves SR-503 east of Cougar, near Pine Creek Information Center. Gifford Pinchot National Forest's Cowlitz Valley Ranger District covers the northern half; the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument covers the central section. Iron Creek Campground (USFS), 10 miles south of Randle on FR 25, is the standard developed base.
Trail Overview
Sixty miles, point-to-point. The northern half through Iron Creek is paved and shaded, climbing gradually along the Cispus River. Past the FR 99 junction, the road climbs more steeply over a divide and into the eastern flanks of the Mount St. Helens blast zone. McClellan Viewpoint is the highest point with views west to the volcano. The southern half drops along Pine Creek to Cougar, with the Pine Creek Information Center near the lower end. Junctions with FR 99 (Windy Ridge), FR 90 (Lewis River corridor), and FR 23 (Babyshoe Pass to Mt. Adams) make FR 25 the central axis of any extended Gifford Pinchot tour.
Points of Interest
- Iron Creek Campground. USFS developed campground on the northern half.
- FR 99 junction. Branch road to Windy Ridge Viewpoint.
- McClellan Viewpoint. High point of FR 25, west-facing view of Mount St. Helens.
- Bear Meadow. Eruption-photo viewpoint, just off FR 99.
- FR 90 junction. Branch road south to the Lewis River corridor.
- FR 23 junction. Branch road east to Babyshoe Pass and the Mt. Adams area.
- Pine Creek Information Center. USFS information stop on the southern end.
- Cougar. Southern end gateway town with limited services.
Where to Camp
Iron Creek (north end) is the main developed Forest Service campground. Other developed sites along the spur networks include Lower Falls (FR 90), Takhlakh Lake (FR 23), and a string of Cougar / Yale / Swift Reservoir campgrounds on the south. Dispersed camping is permitted on Gifford Pinchot land off side roads with the standard 14-day stay limit. Randle and Cougar have small commercial bases.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Snow closes the upper road from November through May or June most years.
- The road surface is highly variable; aired-down tires help on the patched gravel.
- A Northwest Forest Pass is required at most trailheads.
- Cell coverage drops out and stays gone for most of the route.
- Wildlife is common, especially elk and black bear.
- Active timber operations and forest road maintenance can close sections temporarily.
- The road is the standard Mount St. Helens loop connector. Plan a full day for a one-way drive with stops, or two for an out-and-back with photos.
- Wildfire smoke can affect visibility in late summer.
