Trail Overview
Set within the scenic, mixed-timber environment of the Pacific Northwest's managed forestry lands, W-1090 serves as a highly rewarding out-and-back backcountry spur. Accessed via the primary regional logging network, this 1.1-mile dirt and gravel track leads travelers through vibrant evergreen stands and sun-drenched open clearings. Outdoor enthusiasts and overland campers utilize this route to reach a spectacular open space at the road's terminus, which offers a phenomenal, unobstructed valley overlook and an ideal secluded camping location. The driving surface consists of a relatively firm dirt and crushed rock base, earning an accessible Grade 2 difficulty rating and allowing for a steady average speed of 11.0 mph as the track gently weaves across the hillside. As captured in the trail photos, the route features patches of loose cobbles, grassy center medians, and minor surface undulations before coming to an abrupt halt at a massive hillside washout. This impassable dirt slide physically severs the roadway, forcing drivers to safely turn around or set up camp at the beautiful scenic clearing positioned directly before the barrier.
Difficulty
Earning an accessible Grade 2 difficulty rating, this 1.1-mile out-and-back spur features a mostly stable dirt and gravel foundation accented by mild terrain irregularities. Technical off-road challenges like deep mud pits or high-clearance boulder fields are completely absent under normal dry conditions. However, the track does present sections of loose surface rock, shallow ruts, and a grassy center median that requires mindful tire placement. The most significant hazard is the severe trail-ending washout at the 1.1-mile mark, where the hillside has collapsed and completely obliterated the pathway. Drivers should maintain a controlled momentum over the scattered cobbles, stay alert for encroaching trailside brush, and execute a careful turnaround at the scenic valley overlook clearing while staying safely back from the unstable, eroded ledge.
