Pack Forest provides a field location where faculty, staff, and students from the University of Washington's College of Forest Resources can teach, study, conduct research, and demonstrate modern forest management.
Pack Forest also provides opportunities for the public to hike, bike, horseback ride, stroll or roll along a barrier-free self guided trail, drive the forest roads on weekdays, or hunt during hunting season.
Tacoma Eastern Railroad Grade. A 1 mile round trip walk along an abandoned railroad grade, from the Pack Forest campus to La Grande. (Easy)
Hugo Peak Trail. A 5 mile round trip hike through a variety of forest stand types and ages. Ends at Hugo Peak (1740 feet) with views of the Mashel and Ohop Valleys, the Olympic Mountains, and the Issaquah Alps. (Difficult)
Trail of the Giants. A 1 mile round trip walk through a shaded old growth Douglas-fir stand and a young Douglas-fir stand. (Moderate)
Windy Ridge Trail. A 1 mile round trip hike along the edge of a recently harvested Douglas-fir stand to an acid rain testing station. On clear days you will be treated to a spectacular view of Mt Rainier. (Moderate)
Reservoir Trail. A 2 mile round trip trail traveling through an old growth stand, into a young Douglas-fir stand, and then through a naturally seeded second growth forest ending at the old Pack Forest reservoir. (Moderate)
Falls Trail. A 1.5 mile round trip hike to three waterfalls. Winding along the Little Mashel River, the path forks, allowing you to hike to the upper falls or continue on to the middle and lower falls. (Difficult)
New Forestry/Elk Meadow Trail. A 2 mile trail taking you through stands demonstrating new ideas in forest management and an old railroad logging camp that has been converted to an elk pasture with the help of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. (Difficult)
Reservoir Trail. A one mile, one way trail, takes you to the 2.5 million gallon reservoir that fed the old Pack Forest mill. (Difficult)
Falls Trail. This 3/4 mile trail leads to two (walking only) spur trails that lead to the upper, middle, and lower falls. (Difficult)
Twelve Mile Loop. This loop uses roads and trails to pass through the most of the stand types at Pack Forest and provides some breathtaking views of Mount Rainier. (Moderate to Difficult)
Twelve Mile Loop. The same loop as used by the Mountain Bikes, this ride combines trails and logging roads to bring you through most of the stand types and some of Pack Forest's more expansive views. You can create smaller loops by using any of the logging roads. (Moderate to Difficult)
All of our self guided trails are described on our Interpretative Programs page. Four trails, ranging from quarter mile, highly accessible hikes to a difficult five mile round trip are offered.
During weekdays the gates will be open to allow you to drive around Pack Forest. Gates are closed on weekends year-round and daily during the fall hunting season or in the case of high fire or operational danger.
You can hunt during hunting season at Pack Forest with a valid license and tag. For rules regarding seasons and regulations, refer to the current Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet.
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