Cook Hill Loop(edit)

Overview

This is a moderate loop trail to Cook Hill in Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

This trail goes by Dog Creek Falls and Columbia River.

Getting Started

Hiked Cook Hill 12/24/19 8.24 miles with 2860ft elevation gain.

Parking area is almost right across from Jackson Road (private property) on the side of cook-underwood road, on the right hand side. There are no signs here or on the loop trail. There are no bathrooms here. Parking free and enough for 5 to 10 vehicles.

To start trail; first road across from parking area on your right, then first road on your right with a white wooden blockade. Make sure you have a map of the area as it is easy to get lost on some areas of the trail, especially if you start in the dark.

This trail is not young children or handicap friendly if doing the loop as there is steep narrow sections, the path is uneven, there are stream crossings, poison oak and blowdowns/debris on trail.

The two stream crossings are are on the old logging road heading up. The cairn is an arrow made of sticks and stick/rock cairn for the single track trail to your right if going up counter clockwise. The single track trail was in good condition, most of the way you can tell where the trail is going till you get to the second meadow. The ground was frozen up top so make sure you carry microspikes in the winter. This trail has some steep areas till right before the first radio tower, then it evens out.

In the power line area the road you'll want to take to get back to Jackson Road is the second on the left. The old logging road is in good condition with some blowdowns and some steep areas.

Like other reviewers I'd suggest doing this trail counter clockwise your first time and would rate it as a hard to expert hike.

I will definitely be back to hike in this area So beautiful and great views in the winter.

Please remember to pack it in and pack it out.

Taking Children

This is a tough trail for children under 8, the terrain is rough and steep in places.