Sword Fern Way Trail via Bells Mountain Trail
8.6 mi · ▲ 1,627 ft · 3 hr 41 min
Sword Fern Way Trail via Bells Mountain Trail is an 8.6-mile out-and-back in Yacolt Burn State Forest near Lucia, WA. It climbs 1,627 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade. It scores 42/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Sword Fern Way Trail via Bells Mountain Trail
8.6 mi · ▲ 1,627 ft · 3 hr 41 min
Elevation 509–1,685 ft
Out & Back · Yacolt Burn State Forest
Trailhead: 45.83806, -122.43551
Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:35 AM · sunset 7:44 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading E.
- 1.2 miBear right, heading SE.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading E.
- 1.2 miTurn right, heading E.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Bells Mountain Trail, heading S.
- 0.6 miSharp right, heading SW.
- 0.6 miBear left, heading SE.
- 0.2 miBear left onto Sword Fern Way Trail, heading SE.
- 450 ftSharp left onto Bells Mountain Trail, heading S.
- 100 ftReach Sword Fern Way Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Sword Fern Way Trail, heading SE.
- 450 ftBear right, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading NW.
- 0.6 miSharp left onto Bells Mountain Trail, heading NW.
- 0.9 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 1.2 miBear right, heading W.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading NE.
- 1.1 miArrive 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 (~43 min). Leave by 6:41 PM for the 7:44 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Mr. Bojangles 3.4 mi · ▲ 494 ft
- Moulton Falls via East Fork of the Lewis River Trail 4.1 mi · ▲ 86 ft
- BG-3000 4.9 mi · ▲ 911 ft
- Bells Mountain Trail 6.8 mi · ▲ 1,424 ft
- Moulton Falls–East Fork of the Lewis River Viewpoint, 3 sights 7.7 mi · ▲ 1,461 ft
- Yacolt Falls–Moulton Falls, 3 groves 7.8 mi · ▲ 1,562 ft
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