Trip Report
Day Hike - Mount Townsend
A wonderful trail in great condition with incredible 360 degree views from the summits.
Will Tooker
- Sat, Nov 8, 2025
- Day Hike - Mount Townsend
- Mount Townsend
- Day Hiking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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The roads leading to the trailhead were mostly clear of deadfall with a few minimal/small potholes. Trailhead has parking for 15-ish vehicles, depending on size and how they are parked. The trailhead vault toilet was locked.
Our small group of four car-pooled from the Tacoma Narrows park and ride. It was an easy 2 hour drive to the trailhead, after a brief stop at the Peninsula Food Store. They have a port-a-john here and with the vault toilet at the trailhead locked, this may be your last opportunity for a "sit-down", if you take the meaning.
We arrived at the trailhead and were geared up and ready to go at 7:50 AM. The trail was free and clear of any blockages, except for one fallen tree across the trail, that was easily navigated around. We did hit snow and ice about a third of the way up, in which we put on our micro-spikes. Most of the few other folks that we encountered on the trail did not have micro-spikes, so it was more of a personal preference.
When we hit the summit, the skies were mostly clear in all directions with a few gusts of winds picking up in the 5-10 mph range. Air was clear and we could see Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainer, Mt. Baker, Glacier peak, and so on.
Final trip stats: 9.32 miles, 6.5 hours, and 3,042 feet of elevation gain.