Sleeping Beauty

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildlife

This is an awesome trail featuring one of the best views around of Adams, as well as great views of Helens, Hood, and the Goat Rocks. Rainier is slightly obstructed and Jefferson will only be visible on a clear day. The trail is very well built but steep - you'll be gaining about 1,400 feet in just over a mile!

The trail starts gaining a lot of elevation right away along dusty singletrack that winds through old growth (at least it is shaded). Although the surface is loose and dusty in the summer, it offers good traction going up and coming down. There are also few rocks or roots until near the top. You'll come a across a few quasi-switchbacks but overall the trail doesn't let up aside from a very short, almost flat section when you mount the ridge.

You should catch a glimpse of the imposing rock spire you're about to summit from here. The trail curves around to the north side of Sleeping Beauty and begins a sequence of switchbacks that rapidly takes you out of the forest and up against the rock face. You'll get the first of many awesome views from here. Take a moment to admire the construction of the remaining set of steep switchbacks made from stacked rocks. The footing on these last switchbacks can be a little loose.

The summit is long and narrow with lots of spots to hang out. The old fire tower was on the westernmost point (to the right as you summit), but will require an easy scramble to get to. Some eyehooks and the grounding cable are all that remain.

Mountain goats call Sleeping Beauty home, but you'll probably have to arrive early to have a chance of seeing them.