Bypass Trail

This connector trail links Snowgrass Trail 96 with the Pacific Crest Trail. From the Snowgrass Trail, turn onto the signed Bypass Trail. Walk through stands of firs and mountain hemlocks alternating with subalpine meadows of lupine, paintbrush, arnica, valerian, bistort and sego lilies.

In less than a half-mile, cross rushing Snowgrass Creek with a mix of rock-hopping and log-walking. Once across the creek, avoid dead-end paths that lead to several campsites by looking for signs and the most-used trail.

The trail climbs through more colorful meadows alternating with shady forest and passing several smaller stream crossings to the junction with the PCT. Turn left (north) on the PCT and climb towards the junction with the Snowgrass Trail and the return portion of the loop. Your other option is to turn right (south) on the PCT and hike high above the Cispus River towards it headwaters in the Cispus Basin.

The Bypass Trail is a segment of the Klickitat Trail, the historic Native American ridgetop route between the Cowlitz River and Klickitat River crossing the Cascades Mountains at Cispus Pass.