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Cougar, Washington

Looking for the best photography in Cougar? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Cougar. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Photography Spots in and near Cougar

  • Ariel, Washington

    Kayak at Yale Lake

    5.0
    Just 55 miles northeast of Portland lies a body of water so pure you have to see it to believe it...that's right, we're talking about Yale Lake. One of three lakes beneath Washington's ever rumbling Mount St Helens, Yale offers the outdoor lover just about everything they could ask for: calm wat...
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  • Cougar, Washington

    Explore the Ape Caves

    4.0
    As if erupting volcanoes weren't awesome enough, ancient lava flows also left behind these giant, hollow tubes as they cooled. Spend all day exploring deep underground in this 2.5 mile cave.To get there, head to the SOUTH side of Mount Saint Helens. You must pass through the town of Cougar to get...
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  • Cougar, Washington

    Mount St. Helens Summit via Worm Flows

    4.8
    10.53 mi / 5725 ft gain
    The Worm Flow Route, starting at Marble Mountain Sno Park, is the most direct winter route up to the summit. You'll start at around 2,700 feet and begin a steady walk along the trail for 2 miles. Although the trail is fairly well marked well above the snow, you'll want to pay attention to the arr...
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  • Amboy, Washington

    Siouxon Trail to 14 Mile Falls

    5.0
    13.03 mi / 2310 ft gain
    When you park at the top of the trail, all you see is layers and layers of emerald trees and ground clear of any underbrush. Once on the trail, you start on a rapid decline that brings you to the first of the many streams along this hike. Cross the bridge made out of logs and head towards the ma...
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  • Cougar, Washington

    Mount St. Helens Summit via Monitor Ridge

    4.4
    8.64 mi / 4652 ft gain
    Monitor Ridge is the "easiest" of the routes one can take in order to claim that they have stood on top of the sleeping giant better known as Mount St. Helens. This route is heavily favored over Worm Flows as the starting elevation is not only an additional 1,000 feet higher but the overall asce...
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  • Cougar, Washington

    Loowit Trail Loop

    4.0
    32.46 mi / 7014 ft gain
    This is a very difficult hike. Camp sites are scarce and access to water is very limited. Overexposure is a concern so be sure to pack a hat and apply sunscreen frequently. There are sketchy sections of the trail where you will be forced to navigate steep washed out gullies that are unstable due ...
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  • Cougar, Washington

    Hike the Lava Canyon

    3.0
    6.5 mi
    Starting at the Lava Canyon Trailhead, you will walk on a paved trail down a few switchbacks until you reach the river, where you can go right or left. Either way takes you to the suspension bridge, but I recommend going right if you are following this guide. It will make more sense in a moment.A...
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  • Woodland, Washington

    Explore the Cedar Grist Mill

    3.6
    After parking in the lot near the mill, walk across the bridge. This is the first good viewpoint for photography. Next, I recommend walking under the bridge, this is my favorite spot for taking photos. The whole area is free to walk around, you can even walk in the mill and then walk up stream do...
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  • Toutle, Washington

    Loowit Viewpoint

    5.0
    From roughly May to September, both star gazers and photographers alike travel to the darkest locations in order to capture something truly magnificent- the galactic core of the milky way. The Loowit Viewpoint is unlike any around due to the perfect combination of it's remote location, higher ele...
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  • Toutle, Washington

    Hike to Coldwater Peak via Boundary Trail

    5.0
    14.8 mi / 2700 ft gain
    The Boundary trail is amazing. It's 54 miles long and runs for the most part along a ridge in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. You can climb various peaks and viewpoints right off the trail, but this trip report is for climbing Coldwater Peak and hiking up to Harry's Ridge Viewpoint on the way. H...
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  • Toutle, Washington

    Hike the Hummocks Trail

    2.4 mi / 0 ft gain
    The trail has a number of ups and downs as you pass the many ponds and ash/rock/mud hills (hummocks) on your way towards the North Fork Toutle River. There is abundant wildlife in the area including birds, beaver and elk.This is also a great place to park and extend your day of hiking on the Boun...
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  • Toutle, Washington

    Mount Margaret's Ridge Camp via Coldwater Trailhead

    3.5
    7.12 mi / 1634 ft gain
    The hike is relatively easy. I'd say intermediate due to the incline at the beginning. Also intermediate due to it being an backpacking camp adventure. A friend of mine and I backpacked in to shoot the sunset and sunrise. We went a little early in the season so it was also to scout for future ad...
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  • Toutle, Washington

    Backpack to Snow Lake by Mt. Whittier

    5.0
    16 mi / 2700 ft gain
    The Coldwater Lake Recreation Area has restrooms, telephones, and a picnic area. Make sure you have already acquired your permits for camping in the Mt. Margaret back country.Follow trail #211, which runs along the entire 4.5 mile length of Coldwater Lake. It is a beautiful and fairly flat hike w...
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  • Skamania County, Washington

    McClellan Falls

    1.0
    0.7 mi / 200 ft gain
    The trail begins at the parking for McClellan Overlook. Head out of the parking area and cross over the highway before heading onto a faint, unmarked trail. You may have to do a little routefinding, so it's best to download this map before heading out so you can make sure you stay on path.  This...
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  • Yacolt, Washington

    Hike Silver Star Mountain

    4.6
    Silver Star is simply a must-do hike for adventure lovers here in the Northwest!From the parking area, take the main trail up to the first open meadow. Eds Trail splits off here, meeting back up just before the summit. Be warned, Eds Trail is much steeper in sections and is more difficult than th...
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  • Carson, Washington

    Falls Creek Falls

    4.8
    5.82 mi / 1512 ft gain
    The trail to Falls Creek Falls is well maintained with a few short moderately steep areas. The trail hugs the creek for the first mile, and takes you through old growth trees for the second mile. Once the falls are in sight, make sure to stop and look up to see the top tier through the trees. It'...
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