Latch - FS 1262000

Latch (FS 1262000) comes off FS 1260000 around a bend just out of Packwood as a wide gravel spur, opening immediately to multiple dispersed campsites with fire rings, roomy enough overall for eight to ten vehicles. The road is well-traveled and smooth, beginning a gentle uphill at 0.5 miles, with another fire-ring camp and open valley views at 0.7 miles. It is a good base for exploring on foot, too, with hiking trails branching off at 1.0 and 1.3 miles and an OHV trail at 2.0 miles. Past that point, the surface turns rockier with some minor washout ruts and the grade steepens, before a 'Road Closed' gate ends the route at 2.4 miles with space to turn around. The easy, camp-lined lower section is the draw.