Horseshoe Ridge
South CascadesBest Jul–Oct
A long, fire-scarred ridge loop in the Siouxon backcountry south of Mt. St. Helens.
About This Trail
Horseshoe Ridge connects two ridge legs above Siouxon Creek through a loop of about eighteen miles, threading the Gifford Pinchot backcountry south of Mt. St. Helens. The trail leaves a kiosk pullout on Forest Road 5701 and climbs through second-growth Douglas fir and noble fir before topping out around thirty-five hundred feet on open ridge tread. Views run east toward Mt. Adams and north toward the volcano on clear days.
Wildfires through the past decade have hammered this trail. Repeated burns, blowdown, and thin maintenance have left long sections that demand careful navigation — sun-blasted snags, chest-high brush in old burns, and rocky tread where the surface duff is gone. Huckleberries reclaim the burned slopes by mid-August, the only consistent reward through the difficult middle miles.
Water is not reliable on the ridge — Siouxon Creek and its feeders run only at the loop's low point. Plan for a long, rough day; carry the day's water in. The descent on either ridge end punishes tired knees. This is a route for hikers who want backcountry solitude over polish.
Seasonal Highlights
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
Scorecard
Difficult tread, route-finding, and length filter out casual traffic. Most weekends see no other parties.
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
Persistent Hazards
- Trail tread degraded by fire and lack of maintenance — expect blowdown and brush
- No reliable water on the ridge sections — carry full day's supply
- Knee-pounding descents at both ends of the loop
- Burn-zone snags can fall in wind — don't camp under standing dead trees
Getting There
Forest Service kiosk pullout at a hairpin on FR-5701. Northwest Forest Pass required.
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