Columbia Falls Natural Area Preserve
Archer Falls–Archer Mountain Viewpoint Loop, 3 sights
5.3 mi · ▲ 2,138 ft · 2 hr 50 min
Archer Falls–Archer Mountain Viewpoint Loop, 3 sights is a 5.3-mile loop in Columbia Falls Natural Area Preserve near Saint Cloud, WA. The route passes Archer Mountain Viewpoint and Archer Falls. It climbs 2,138 ft, with sections as steep as 44% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 74/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Archer Falls–Archer Mountain Viewpoint Loop, 3 sights
5.3 mi · ▲ 2,138 ft · 2 hr 50 min
Elevation 679–2,257 ft
Loop · Columbia Falls Natural Area Preserve
Trailhead: High valley Trailhead · 45.61320, -122.11739
Weather Sep 4: Heavy drizzle, high 65°F / low 53° · precip 60% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:34 AM · sunset 7:43 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Archer Mountain Trail, heading N.
- 0.8 miPass Archer Mountain Viewpoint.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading SE.
- 0.9 miBear left, heading NW.
- 450 ftReach Archer Falls, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 400 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 0.3 miSharp left, heading N.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading W.
- 400 ftSharp left, heading W.
- 1.7 miSharp right, heading NE.
- 0.2 miThe loop closes back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.2 mi in (~65 min). Leave by 6:18 PM for the 7:43 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from High valley Trailhead Trailhead
- Archer Mountain–Archer Mountain Viewpoint, 3 summits 3.2 mi · ▲ 1,509 ft
- Archer Mountain Viewpoint–Quiver Point, 4 sights 3.5 mi · ▲ 1,429 ft
- Archer Falls–Archer Mountain Viewpoint, 3 sights 4.7 mi · ▲ 1,822 ft
- Indian Mary Falls–Archer Mountain Viewpoint, 3 sights 5.7 mi · ▲ 2,111 ft
- Archer Mountain–Archer Mountain Viewpoint Loop, 4 viewpoints 6 mi · ▲ 2,391 ft
- Nellie Corser Cascade–Railcar Falls, 3 falls 16.1 mi · ▲ 4,263 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Saint Cloud, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Saint Cloud, Washington