North Siouxon Creek Trail

This is a mixed use trail that crosses many little creeks while paralleling the North Siouxon Creek, although there are unfortunately few views to the creek itself. The trail ultimately summits Mount Mitchell to offer amazing views of Mount Saint Helens, but many will turn around at Black Hole Falls as a nice 9 mile out and back with rolling elevation gain totaling about 1,500 feet. The gravel road leading to the trailhead should be passable by most cars. The trailhead has room for perhaps ten cars, but it's unlikely to ever be full - the solitude on the hike is one of its main benefits. The trail will quickly switchback down to get closer to the creek, and then cross a few tributary creeks on bridges fit for horses, and a few built from shingle-covered 2X4s set up for mountain bikes. However, don't expect the quality of bridges to continue: soon there are many more crossings on old rotten bridges, logs, or nothing at all over the creeks. It's worth noting that these can be very slippery when wet. You'll pass a small side trail that accesses the river. This is the only river access until Black Hole Falls. Further along you'll have a nice view of the creek from up on a bluff, but this is about the only river view you'll have unfortunately. Instead this trail benefits from nice forest regrown from the 1902 Yacolt burn, tons of ferns, and solitude. After about 4.5 miles you'll see a clear trail that leads down to Black Hole Falls. This waterfall plunges between amphitheater-like cliffs into a beautiful, deep emerald pool that some may enjoy swimming in. There are some wonderful spots to take a break along the river downstream from the falls too. The trail continues onwards and upwards to Mount Mitchell. It'd be great if another contributor could add information on this part of the trail by editing this description!