Note: The 2015 Cougar Creek Fire swept through this area. The trails here have been closed since that time with numerous downed snags and new shrubby vegetation (slide alders) obscurring the route of this and the Island Springs Trail. Some of the Hellroaring Creek trail has been cleared, but more remains to be done before this scenic and historic trail is easily hikeable again. Once it is open, it will take a season or so of hikers following the route to help trample vegetation in the trail to make it more visible to those who might get lost easily.
Access: See Bench Lake Access directions.
Permits: Carry a daily use permit available across from the Island Springs Trailhead.
Water: Carry a water bottle. Water is available in Hellroaring Creek but I would chemically treat or filter it before use.
The Hellroaring Creek Trail #110 trailhead is situated at the northeast corner of Bench Lake. It travels east through forest at about the same elevation as the lake for about one-third mile before beginning to descend gradually at first, then more steeply, passing several grassy meadows with limited views eastward towards the Klickitat River. At about one mile and a half, it curves north and somewhat west and descends through forest towards Hellroaring Creek. The trail becomes faint at this point and care must be taken to not get lost. At the creek, one will find a small camp which is often used by the local trail crew.
In dry weather, Hellroaring Creek can be crossed by wading the shallow creek or walking across downed trees. In rainy weather, one should consider not crossing the creek as it can get quite high and move pretty quickly. Once across the creek, refind the trail and then follow it westward along the base of the Ridge of Wonders. At first the the trail is located in forest but as one hikes westward you will increasingly come across openings with grassy meadows. In addition, one will encounter some large old growth trees along this section of trail, including some very large western larch as well as aspen with very thick trunks. Look for old carvings on some of the aspen, put there by Basque sheepherders and old forestry workers early last century when the land was in public ownership. The trail eventually joins the Island Springs Trail #66. One can then turn left (south) hiking into a wet meadow before crossing Hellroaring Creek on a solid wooden bridge and then ascending sharply upwards (about a 500' elevation gain) before the trail levels out and gains the Island Springs Trailhead at Bench Lake.
Fast hikers can do this trail in about an hour, but slower hikers viewing the trees, wildflowers and birds (especially good from late June until late July when the young birds fledge) will probably take up to two hours to do this hike.
July 1, 2005: Yakama Reservation: Hellroaring Creek Trail #10