Stagman Ridge Trail

Washington

By Yes Mom I'm Alive

SETTING OUT

Six miles or so into the Stagman Ridge Trail is the best campsite in the Pacific Northwest. We beckoned our friend Arren down from Seattle and set out to find it.

LOOKING GLASS LAKE

After crossing the first meadow, we reached the junction to Looking Glass Lake, a popular fishing and camping spot. We stopped for a bit here before deciding to stay with our original plan to camp at Horseshoe Meadows, a few miles further.

HORSESHOE MEADOWS

After navigating through a snow field, we traversed along a lupine-lined ridge until we came to the empty Horseshoe Meadows, our final destination for the evening. We threw off our packs and made camp with an unobstructed view of Mount Adams towering over our tents.

S'MORES

Before dusk, the boys gathered dry sticks and rocks from the edge of the meadow and made a fire. We roasted S'more Pop Tarts over the fire and watched the alpine glow take over the mountain

SUNSET

Finally the sun disappeared behind the ridge behind us. We watched the last light leave the mountain before settling into our tents.

DAWN

The next morning I woke up to the heat of the sun beating into the tent. I sleepily unzipped the tent and stuck my head out to see the sun burst over the summit of Mount Adams. I've had worse wake up calls.

THE HIKE OUT

We had a quick breakfast before hiking the rest of the loop back to the car. The return went quickly. On the western side of the loop the Stagman crosses the Pacific Crest Trail and connects with the Around the Mountain Trail.

On our drive back to Portland we stopped in Husum, Washington at the roadside Big Man's Rotisserie, one of Jeff and I's favorite places to eat in the Gorge area. I would happily hike another 11 miles if it means a second serving of pulled pork.

We got back to Portland in the early afternoon and said goodbye to Arren. We hope to see him in early August for our second attempt of a loop through the Mount Margaret Backcountry.

ITINERARY & ADVICE

The Stagman Trail loop is an easy day hike or weekender. It's also one of the few places mostly free from snow during the early backpacking season.

Getting There

From Trout Lake, Washington take Mt. Adams Road north at the gas station and continue for a few miles to the fork in the road. Fork to the left on Forest Road 23 following the signs for Randle, WA. Stay on Forest Road 23 to the intersection with Forest Road 8031 about 10 miles from the gas station. Turn right on to Forest Road 8031 cross the bridge and turn left on to Spur Road 070 at the sign for the trail. Continue north on Spur 070 about 3 miles, turn right on to Spur Road 120 at the well used intersection and continue to trailhead. Parking at the trailhead is free. You'll need to fill out a free permit at the trailhead.

Trail Route

The Stagman Ridge Trail Loop is just shy of 11 miles and about as moderate as you can get.

The trail may not appear as a loop on some maps - but trust me, it all connects. This area was affected by the Cascade Creek Fire in 2012 and a good portion of the forest along the upper sections of the trail were burned, making wayfinding a bit difficult coming from the west. If you go in the later part of the backpacking season, you'll no doubt have plenty of boot marks to follow.

Here is the suggested route for the loop.

Camping

We camped at Horseshoe Meadows, about 6 miles into the loop. When you enter the meadow, continue around the small hill to your right until you come to the part of the clearing with an unobstructed view of Mount Adams. You can set up camp anywhere in this meadow. When we were there, there was nothing growing there. Take caution not to set your tent up under any of the dead trees.

We (well, Jeff and Arren) gathered some firewood from the edges of the meadow and constructed a fire pit from found rocks. For all I know, it may still be there for your own use. Enjoy it responsibly!

You can also camp at Looking Glass Lake, just half a mile east after the loop junction. However, this campsite offers very little privacy (as all the campsites face one another), the view is obstructed by large dead trees, and god help you when the mosquitos come out. It looked like most campers we saw there were there to fish, so if that's your thing make yourself at home.

Food and Water

Water is plentiful along the trail. There is also a rolling creek that runs through Horseshoe Meadows. Bring a water filter system.

On your way to and/or from the trail, you gotta stop at the roadside Big Man's Rotisserie in Husum, Washington. This is one of Jeff and I's favorite places to eat and we try to find any excuse to drive 90 minutes out of Portland to have lunch here. Big Man - an affable tall guy who's well-known in the White Salmon boating community - puts a worldly spin on barbecue. Get the pulled pork with pickled cabbage, chutney and chapati.