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Cowlitz Rocks is located near Paradise, not to be confused with the Cowlitz Chimneys. Cowlitz Rocks is an easy scramble that goes to a seldom-visited part of the park. It has spectacular views of Little Tahoma and the Cowlitz Glacier. This is a four-season destination, as avalanche risk is usually small. Cowlitz was the name of an Indian tribe in the area. The Cowlitz River was mentioned by the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1805–1805, when the river was called the Coweliskee. Apparently the name means “capturing the medicine spirit.”
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Driving
Drive from the Nisqually Entrance to Paradise and park 0.8 mile past the Paradise Visitor Center. Park on the right, in a parking lot just beyond the bridge over the Paradise River.
Route
The trailhead is by a red “Wrong Way” sign on the east side of the road. Hike the 4th Crossing Trail for 0.2 mile until you reach the Skyline Trail, where you turn right (the sign points to Paradise Glacier, 1 mile). Continue on the Skyline Trail until you reach the Stevens–Van Trump Monument. Fifty yards beyond the monument, follow the trail to Paradise Glacier (the sign states that the trail ends 1.5 miles ahead). Stay on this trail until it peters out, and then continue northerly with the Paradise Glacier on the left. The route takes you past the Paradise Glacier caves, although these have melted out years ago and no caves remain. Head up what appears to be a valley until you reach a col at 7200', northwest of Cowlitz Rocks. Take the ridge (staying to the right, just off the ridge), and head southeast until you reach the highest point of Cowlitz Rocks (7450'). This final ridge portion of the route goes over scree.
We consider Cowlitz Rocks to be a four-season scramble. In winter, the road is closed at the Paradise parking lot. Park in the parking lot and walk the road for approximately 0.8 mile. Just after crossing the Paradise River Bridge, turn uphill in a northwesterly direction. Depending on the amount of snow you may not be able to see the signage on the road. The avalanche risk is usually small but caution is urged following a very heavy snowfall or if conditions make for high avalanche risk.
Comments
The views from the summit are not much more dramatic than from the col, so if you are getting tired, stopping at the col is fine. By mid-July you would expect much of the route to be snow-free except for the Paradise Valley portion. Flowers are great in late July and August.
Vital Statistics: Cowlitz Rocks
Skill: Easy scramble, 50% on-trail
Beauty: 9
Effort: 3
Round-trip distance: 6 miles
Elevation gain: 2100'
Total time: 5 hours
Best season: Year-round; best July through October
Equipment: Scramble gear
Cowlitz Rocks Topo
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