Lower Murphy's Grade–Tarbell Trail (aka Cold Creek), 6 sights
6.2 mi · ▲ 1,257 ft · 2 hr 42 min
Lower Murphy's Grade–Tarbell Trail (aka Cold Creek), 6 sights is a 6.2-mile out-and-back in Yacolt Burn State Forest near Dole, WA. It climbs 1,257 ft, with sections as steep as 25% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 83/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Lower Murphy's Grade–Tarbell Trail (aka Cold Creek), 6 sights
6.2 mi · ▲ 1,257 ft · 2 hr 42 min
Elevation 1,215–2,130 ft
Out & Back · Yacolt Burn State Forest
Trailhead: 45.75343, -122.31367
Weather Sep 4: Light drizzle, high 65°F / low 50° · precip 56% · wind 2 mph · sunrise 6:35 AM · sunset 7:44 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 0.7 miSharp left onto Tarbell Trail, heading SW.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto Tarbell Trail (aka Murphy's Grade), heading SE.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Vista Ridge Trail, heading SE.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Tarbell Trail (aka Murphy's Grade), heading S.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Lower Murphy's Grade, heading S.
- 0.7 miContinue straight onto Tarbell Trail (aka Cold Creek), heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Upper Murphy's Grade, heading SE.
- 0.5 miBear right onto Cold Creek Connector, heading S.
- 500 ftSharp right onto Tarbell Trail (aka Cold Creek), heading E.
- 100 ftReach Tarbell Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftSharp left onto Cold Creek Connector, heading SE.
- 0.1 miBear left onto Upper Murphy's Grade, heading W.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Tarbell Trail (aka Cold Creek), heading W.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Lower Murphy's Grade, heading W.
- 0.7 miContinue straight onto Tarbell Trail (aka Murphy's Grade), heading NW.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Vista Ridge Trail, heading NW.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Tarbell Trail (aka Murphy's Grade), heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Tarbell Trail, heading NW.
- 0.4 miSharp right, heading E.
- 0.7 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 2.7 mi in (~92 min). Leave by 5:52 PM for the 7:44 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
More from this trailhead
- Tarbell Trail 2.1 mi · ▲ 376 ft
- Appaloosa Trail & L-1210 Road 2.6 mi · ▲ 361 ft
- Appaloosa Trail–L-1210 Road, 3 sights 3.7 mi · ▲ 573 ft
- Tarbell Trail 4 mi · ▲ 580 ft
- Tarbell Trail 4.3 mi · ▲ 607 ft
- Sixth Sense Trail 4.7 mi · ▲ 919 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Dole, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Dole, Washington