Nestor Peak Hike

Overview

The Buck Creek Trail loops for 21 miles around a large patch of Washington Department of Natural Resources forest in the Buck Creek watershed above the White Salmon River. Not all stretches of the trail make good hiking outings, but this segment, which starts in scrappy woodland, does lead up through some scenic wildflower meadows with views and eventually attains the summit of Nestor Peak, an old lookout site which continues to host a shed. There are views to Mount Hood and Mount Adams as well as various Gorge prominences. Mid-May to late June are the best times to do this hike: over 100 species will be blooming trailside. You'll be sharing the trail with mountain bikers and, yes, three Bigfoot were sighted here in the early 1980s! Note: Not all of the trail/road junctions on this route are signposted clearly, so follow directions carefully. Logging in the area may result in detours or closures. From the parking at the camping area, walk back along the road to N1000 (Nestor Peak Road) and cross it. The trail heads up in mixed woods of big-leaf maple, Douglas-fir, hazel, vine maple, and Pacific dogwood, which blooms in many places along the trail. The trail levels on a ridge crest and drops past young ponderosa pines to a small clearing. Then, traverse around the head of a small bowl in maple woods. Reenter Douglas-fir forest and drop to cross N1000. Switchback down twice in more secondary forest. A mile from the trailhead you now reach semi-abandoned forest road N1300. Go to the left and walk along the road for about 3/4 mile. After passing a short logging spur leading down to the right to a landing, find the Nestor Peak Trail leading up to the left in secondary Douglas-fir woods. The path rises steeply and switchbacks twice, then makes a traverse steeply up. Switchback again at a small creek, switchback twice more and traverse up. Pass a sign saying “3 switchbacks ahead.” Much of this area has been selectively logged, with brush piles everywhere. At 2.2 miles reach an old logging road and go right about

Trail Stats

Photos

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