Ross' Grade Sunset Point–Tarbell Trail (aka Murphy's Grade), 4 sights
12.6 mi · ▲ 3,004 ft · 5 hr 42 min
Ross' Grade Sunset Point–Tarbell Trail (aka Murphy's Grade), 4 sights is a 12.6-mile out-and-back in Yacolt Burn State Forest near Creswell Heights, WA. The route reaches Ross' Grade Sunset Point. It climbs 3,004 ft, with sections as steep as 25% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 81/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Ross' Grade Sunset Point–Tarbell Trail (aka Murphy's Grade), 4 sights
12.6 mi · ▲ 3,004 ft · 5 hr 42 min
Elevation 1,030–2,890 ft
Out & Back · Yacolt Burn State Forest
Trailhead: Thrillium MTB Trail · 45.72241, -122.31364
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 58°F / low 44° · precip 17% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 6:36 AM · sunset 7:42 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Thrillium MTB Trail, heading NW.
- 0.3 miPass Ross' Grade Sunset Point.
- 2 miTurn left onto Cold Creek Trail, heading NE.
- 200 ftBear right, heading N.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Tarbell Trail (aka Murphy's Grade), heading N.
- 150 ftTurn right onto Tarbell Trail, heading NW.
- 1.6 miTurn right, heading N.
- 1.5 miSharp right onto Silver Shadow Trail, heading N.
- 0.7 miReach Ross' Grade Sunset Point, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.7 miSharp left onto Tarbell Trail, heading NW.
- 1.4 miContinue straight onto Rock Creek Campground Road, heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Tarbell Trail, heading SE.
- 1.6 miTurn left onto Tarbell Trail (aka Murphy's Grade), heading SW.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Cold Creek Trail, heading W.
- 150 ftTurn right onto Thrillium MTB Trail, heading W.
- 2.2 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 right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 7:22 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:42 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 8:12 PM.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Thrillium MTB Trail Trailhead
- Ross' Grade Sunset Point–Bear Grass Trail Loop, 8 sights 4.2 mi · ▲ 1,133 ft
- Larch Mountain–Ross' Grade Sunset Point Loop, 8 sights 4.3 mi · ▲ 1,233 ft
- L-1050 Sunset Point–Ross' Grade Sunset Point, 4 sights 4.7 mi · ▲ 992 ft
- Pyramid Rock–Larch Mountain, 4 summits 9 mi · ▲ 2,785 ft
- Silver Star Mountain–Larch Mountain, 4 summits 12.2 mi · ▲ 3,732 ft
- Sturgeon Rock–Larch Mountain, 5 sights 12.7 mi · ▲ 3,846 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Creswell Heights, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Creswell Heights, Washington