Sleeping Beauty-Little Huckleberry Mountain hike/scramble

There will be an OPTIONAL scramble to Sleeping Beauty peak after the end of the maintained trail, adding a little more fun to these two otherwise easy (though slightly steep) day hikes that I've been wanting to explore in the vicinity of Mount Adams.

Difficulty: Moderate-Easy (Assuming you choose not to opt in for our exposed scramble to Sleeping Beauty peak, which could be slippery)

Combined hiking distance: About 8 miles

Combined elevation gain: 3230 ft.

Combined hiking time: 3.5-4.5 hours plus breaks for resting, photos, and lunch

Total driving distance: 189 miles

This will probably be an all day event, due to drive time between the Sleeping Beauty and Little Huckleberry Mountain trailheads and to/from Gateway. I work very early the next day, however, so I hope to return at a decent hour.

Our first and northernmost hike will begin at the Sleeping Beauty trailhead in the Mount Adams Wilderness. This trail has some fairly steep switchbacks but is short, thus my "Moderate-Easy" difficulty rating.

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A view of Sleeping Beauty from the southwest; photo from http://www.summitpost.org/sleeping-beauty-from-the-sw/108110

At barely 3 miles and 1430 feet of elevation gain, this up and down hike takes us through dense forest growth before revealing it’s famous view of nearby Mount Adams. If we’re lucky, maybe we’ll spot one of those resident mountain goats!

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Photo by Patrick M., from https://www.flickr.com/photos/ppix/4740976785

The trail ends at the top of Sleeping Beauty, which may allow us weather-permitting views of Mount St. Helens (wave to Rick's group of first-timers!), Mount Rainier, Indian Heaven Wilderness, and of course, Mount Adams.

Saturday looks like the “driest” day of this weekend, but it will take a LOT of positive thinking from the top of Sleeping Beauty to catch some clear views of Mount Adams like this one:

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/f/e/4/600_427420932.jpeg

Photo from http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org

Anyone who doesn’t mind a little unprotected exposure is welcome to join me on the short scramble to Sleeping Beauty's peak. But there’s no shame in opting to stay behind for a quick brunch at trail's end instead.

Here is a detailed description of the Sleeping Beauty hike: http://www.summitpost.org/sleeping-beauty/154167

After our descent of Sleeping Beauty, we’ll start driving back south through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to hike Small Huckleberry Mountain. We’ll save Big Huckleberry for a hardier day.

The 5 mile Small Huckleberry hike climbs to 1800', so it is longer and summits higher than Sleeping Beauty. But there’s nothing too difficult here.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/6/d/c/600_427445852.jpeg

Photo from http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19424&view=previous

And the panorama from the top is even more expansive.

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A view of Mt. Rainier, one of the circle of four volcanoes which can all be viewed from the summit of Little Huckleberry Mountain on a clear day; Photo from http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19424&view=previous

Clear views or not, reaching the 4,781' summit of Lil’ Huckleberry will be a nice climax to our day hike double-header.

We may not be dropping from exhaustion after we descend to our cars at the trailhead, but we'll be hungry. Let's stop for dinner on the drive home.

Here is a detailed description of the Little Huckleberry Mountain hike: http://www.nwhiker.com/GPNFHike72.html

My preferred hiking style is fairly brisk (2.5 to 3 mph), but having fun and staying safe is way more important. Members of all reasonable hiking speeds are welcome to join us. We will take short breaks as needed for snacks and photos.

Gas: 189 miles total driving; $18 to driver(s)

Bring: 2+ liters of water, food/snacks, warm layers of non-cotton clothing including rain gear, a camera, and of course, I recommend that you always carry…

The Ten Essentials:

1. Navigation (map, compass, and an awareness of our route)

2. Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)

3. Insulation (extra clothing)

4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries)

5. First-aid supplies

6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)

7. Knife/tools

8. Nutrition (extra food)

9. Hydration (extra water)

10. Emergency whistle and general preparedness in the event that you become separated from our group and/or have to spend the night in the wilderness.

PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK; Northwest Wilderness Group organizers are volunteers. We come prepared to lead you on a trail or off trail hike but assume no liability for your safety getting to or from the trail-head or on the hike. In case of accident, illness, or other incapacity, hikers must pay for their own medical and/or evacuation expenses, whether or not the hiker has specifically authorized them.