Coldwater Peak Trail
Strenuous · Out-and-back · 13.4 mi round trip · 3,346 ft gain · 5¼–7½ hr
Big viewsSummit or lookoutCampsites
Parkingnot reported today
A long, demanding day; experienced hikers in good shape.
No hiker reports in the last 3 days. Be the first to report here
At this trail
Dogs allowed Northwest Forest Pass
Pack it out.
Official pageForest Service › record checked 2026-10-06
Fee$5/vehicle/day
RestrictionsPets must be on leash at all times.
PermitsDay hikes: none. Overnight: wilderness permit.
AreaMount St. Helens and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest › U.S. Forest Service
Officialconditions › · roads › · fees › · permits ›
Rules, passes and closures change. Check the official Forest Service site before you go.
Getting there
Starts at South Coldwater Trailhead · 1 other trail starts here
⚠ Road closed: Upper SR 504 is closed between mileposts 45.2 and 51 by a large slide, until further notice (possible reopening in 2026). The gate is just past the Hummocks trailhead: Johnston Ridge Observatory and Loowit Viewpoint are closed to vehicles, and the South Coldwater trail is reached on foot about a mile beyond the gate. Coldwater Lake, the Hummocks trail and the Science and Learning Center are open. official status (checked 2026-10-05)
⚠ Closure: Spirit Lake tunnel project (through 2027): the Truman Trail network, trails 207, 207A, 216D and 216E and the Forest Road 99 extension are closed Monday to Friday from May 15 to October 31, open on weekends and federal holidays; the Windy Ridge contractor staging area is closed every day in that season. official status (checked 2026-10-05)
Navigate to the trailhead: Google Maps · Apple Maps · coordinates 46.28568, -122.25383
Right now
⚠ Beginning Monday, April 27th, 2026, until further notice: Both directions of SR 504 at milepost 45.0 remain CLOSED at the winter gate for construction to rebuilWSDOT · 2 km · Jul 28 · details ›
⚠ Beginning Monday, April 27, until further notice: Crews are rebuilding the SR 504 Spirit Lake Outlet Bridge over South Coldwater Creek between mileposts 49-49.2WSDOT · 4 km · May 5 · details ›
Fire RestrictionsThere are no current fire restrictions on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Even with lower fire risk please continue to practice safe fire habits: never leave a campfire unattended and make sure it is completely…Forest Service · Sep 18 · details ›
TonightPM35°5%
TueAM52°9%
TuePM45°3%
WedAM56°3%
WedPM47°
ThuAM63°
ThuPM50°
FriAM65°1%
Mostly Clear then Areas Of Frost, wind 2 mph · Full forecast ›
Daylight7:26 am 6:23 pm
Air qualityAQI 28 Good
WildfireMckinley fire, 36 km away
Snow0″ snow at Spirit Lake (3,520 ft, 6.5 km away)
Typical year: usually melted out by about Mar 22 · typical peak Mar 4
Typical year: usually melted out by about Mar 22 · typical peak Mar 4
Snow levelabout 5,100 ft now · 4,900–9,600 ft over the next three days
No reports in the last 3 days.
All conditions and reports at South Coldwater Trailhead
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