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Benson State Recreation Area

Cougar Rock–Lower Multnomah Falls, 5 summits

12.6 mi · ▲ 3,652 ft · 6 hr 2 min

Cougar Rock–Lower Multnomah Falls, 5 summits is a 12.6-mile out-and-back in Benson State Recreation Area near Cruzatt, WA. The route passes Wahkeena Rearing Lake, Lower Multnomah Falls and Larch Mountain Trail #441 Viewpoint before reaching Cougar Rock at the turnaround, 6.3 miles in. It climbs 3,652 ft, with sections as steep as 30% grade. It scores 42/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi33 – 2,195 ft · steepest grade: 30%13.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Benson State Park 45.57695, -122.13123
Nearest town Cruzatt, WA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Cougar Rock–Lower Multnomah Falls, 5 summits

12.6 mi · ▲ 3,652 ft · 6 hr 2 min

Elevation 33–2,194 ft

Out & Back · Benson State Recreation Area

Trailhead: Benson State Park · 45.57695, -122.13123

Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:34 AM · sunset 7:43 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading E.
  2. 50 ftPass Wahkeena Rearing Lake.
  3. 50 ftContinue straight onto Benson State Park, heading E.
  4. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  5. 0.7 miTurn right, heading E.
  6. 100 ftTurn right, heading S.
  7. 50 ftPass Lower Multnomah Falls.
  8. 50 ftPass Larch Mountain Trail #441 Viewpoint.
  9. 50 ftSharp left onto Larch Mountain Trail #441, heading S.
  10. 1.5 miSharp right onto Wahkeena Trail #420, heading S.
  11. 0.8 miSharp left onto Devils Rest Trail #420C, heading S.
  12. 0.7 miTurn left, heading S.
  13. 300 ftTurn left onto Multnomah Basin Road, heading SW.
  14. 1.5 miSharp left onto Larch Mountain Trail #441, heading E.
  15. 0.2 miSharp right onto High Water Trail, heading SW.
  16. 250 ftTurn right onto High Water - Cougar Rock Connector Trail, heading W.
  17. 150 ftTurn left onto Cougar Rock Trail, heading W.
  18. 0.9 miTurn left, heading NE.
  19. 200 ftReach Cougar Rock, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  20. 0.9 miTurn right onto High Water - Cougar Rock Connector Trail, heading S.
  21. 150 ftTurn left onto High Water Trail, heading S.
  22. 250 ftSharp left onto Larch Mountain Trail #441, heading S.
  23. 0.2 miSharp right onto Multnomah Basin Road, heading SW.
  24. 1.5 miTurn right, heading W.
  25. 300 ftTurn right onto Devils Rest Trail #420C, heading W.
  26. 0.7 miSharp right onto Wahkeena Trail #420, heading NE.
  27. 0.7 miSharp left onto Larch Mountain Trail #441, heading NE.
  28. 1.5 miSharp right, heading NE.
  29. 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  30. 100 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  31. 0.7 miTurn right onto Benson State Park, heading W.
  32. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/cougar-rock-lower-multnomah-falls-out-back-6-lakes

Trail surface

51% dirt13% paved1% gravel35% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:34 AMSunset 7:43 PM

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Benson State Park Trailhead

Hikes near Cruzatt, Washington