Huffaker Mountain by Big Bottom Butte overlooks the Cowlitz River near Riffe Lake. Bluff Mountain and Kraus Ridge rise southeast above the Cispus River. Moreover, Randle, Washington, reaches these peaks directly from the north.
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Huffaker Mountain at a Glance
Environs = Bluff Mountain + Kraus Ridge
周圍地區=懸崖山+克勞斯脊
Access: NF-2505 (Huffaker); NF-2506 (Bluff/Kraus)
Round Trip: 5.6 miles; 10.2 miles
Elevation Range: 1680′-3640′
Essential Gear: none
Route Info: KJ Kodras, Daniel Coulter
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: yes
Playlist: Reels
Hiking Near Gifford Pinchot National Forest
While getting ready to leave the house, I accidentally left my pack in the carport. So today, for the first time since Cannon Mountain, I would rely on the phone for photos. At 2000′, we parked by the windfalls past Schooley Creek and soon started walking on Road 2505.
With more down trees ahead, I couldn’t have driven much farther even if I wanted to. Soon, at the end of the spur road at 3000′ was the 400′ scramble to the upper roadway. Then, it was only a short distance along the summit ridge to the overlook atop the cliffs.
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From Huffaker Mountain to Bluff Mountain
The expansive south views atop the outcrops included Mount Adams and Mount Saint Helens. Near the west and past Lake Scanewa, a sliver of Riffe Lake was also visible. After an extended break under the sun, we soon left for Bluff Mountain and Kraus Ridge.
From the gated Road 2506 at 1650′, the path would reach the summit fork in 2.5 miles. However, I wasn’t mentally ready to see NF-056, where down trees strewed the forest floor for the final bit. But we couldn’t have left any sooner after reaching the wooded summit.
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Exploring Kraus Ridge by Cispus River
At the end of Road 2506, we unexpectedly saw Burley Mountain and Tower Rock. After checking out the gorgeous Cispus River Valley, it’s a short scramble west down to Kraus Ridge Trail. The excellent path reached NF-037 in three miles, and we continued west.
After attaining the northeast ridge before the road’s end, we traversed the crest for half a mile. The direct route offered windfalls and spotty views of Mount Rainier en route. A photo of Connor on top, and we quickly backtracked on NF-037 down to the gate.
See more trip photos here.