And hike to the summit - Southern access
Stevenson, Washington - 10/2/10
For information about the Northern access to Archer Mountain, click HERE
The access road to the Archer Mountain Trailhead is well marked.
Traveling East on Washington route 14, turn left at milepost 29.55
and go up Smith-Cripe Road.
Follow the road for about a mile and a half to the end.
The bottom section has been recently paved. The last bit is
paved also but pretty beat up. There is a large parking area at the end.
This sign sort of implies that you are on Forest Road 1853 but I
saw nothing about it on my Gifford Pinchot Forest map.
You quickly come up on a grassy area. You will see Fletcher Flat to the left.
Note the big "T".
You soon come up on a fork that offers three choices.
The fork to the left goes to Fletcher Flat.
Straight ahead on FR 159 takes you to the now closed trail to Archer Falls.
The trail to the right, directly facing Archer Mountain is the way you want to go.
The middle trail fork choice.
The trail choice to the right, just before the 159 sign is the correct way to get
to the Archer Mountain summit.
This is a well used ATV (and presumably Hiker) trail. You start with a steady,
steep descent for about 1/2 mile or so. You can hear the rushing water from Archer
Creek almost immediately. I first visited in October and the water was COLD and
fast moving. I imagine it must be roaring in the Spring.
No bridge here and the creek is wider/deeper/faster moving than it looks.
First trip to Fort Stevens
Ride to Sisters, Oregon and McKenzie Pass
