Trail Overview
Fossil Creek is an ideal route for scenic explorers and those looking for a moderately challenging climb near Goat Mountain with stunning high-elevation views of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This unmaintained Forest Service road features a primary gravel surface, but offroaders should be prepared for deep potholes, deep ruts, and narrow single-lane sections with limited passing pullouts. A high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle, high-clearance SUV, or SxS with good approach and departure angles is highly recommended to safely navigate the rougher stretches of this trail.
Spanning approximately 8.4 miles, this trail starts at an elevation of 2,020 feet and climbs steadily up to 4,157 feet, offering an elevation gain of over 2,300 feet. The route winds through dense forest before opening up near the top to provide spectacular vistas of the surrounding peaks, including nearby Mount St. Helens and the Goat Marsh Research Natural Area. Winter weather brings deep snowpack that makes the road impassable for standard vehicles, making late spring through autumn the prime seasons for this adventure.
Difficulty
Most of the road is gravel and very easy, with just a handful of tough spots, deep ruts, and potholes. There is a lot of snow in the winter.
Access Description
This is an unmaintained Forest Service road. There are no permits required for general off-highway vehicle use, but the road is not plowed in winter and remains inaccessible under heavy snowpack until late spring.
