Sunset at High Rock

From Ashford travel east on highway 706 for about 2.3 miles. Turn right (south) onto Kernahan Rd East which will become Skate Creek Road. This road is also designated as Forest Road 52. Follow FR52 for about 4.7 miles and you will come to the junction with Forest Road 84. Turn right (south) onto FR84 and follow it for about 1.4 miles until you come to Forest Road 8410. Continue on FR84 for another 2.8 miles and you will come to Forest Road 8420. Continue on FR84 for another 2.5 miles and you will come to the junction of Forest Road 8440. Bear right onto FR8440 and follow it for another 2.7 miles, where you will come to a sharp right turn at a saddle on a ridge. This is where the trailhead for this hike is located.

High Rock lookout is one of the most scenic view points in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, with a 600 feet drop on the North side. On a clear day it has a commanding view of Mt Rainier to the North, Mt Adams to the East, Mt Hood and Mt St Helens to the South. I hiked up to the old fire lookout station to get a view of the NEOWISE comet. As it turned out that was a little disappointing because it was over the lights from the Seattle/Tacoma area. However there was some Northern lights showing that night, and I was able to capture this amazing view of the sunset.