Length
Elevation Gain
Highest Point
Natapoc Mountain is a mid-elevation peak popular with peakbaggers for being one of Washington's peaks with at least 2000 feet of prominence. With 2124' feet of clean prominence, Natapoc Mountain is the 120th-most prominent peak in Washington.
There used to be two ways to access this summit. One of those access points (the north approach) is now on private property, but the public can still access this peak from the directions listed below.
Start hiking west from the entrance gate for Road 850, at its intersection with Road 6601. After 0.3 miles, directly under power lines, Road 850 intersects with Road 810. Sharply turn right to join Road 810 heading initially south and then west.
There are two roads that sharply turn left, one lower road on the left side and one higher road on the right side. It does not matter which road to follow, as they rejoin each other on the other side of the small hill they traverse around.
A mile further, Road 810 sharply turns right at a small stream gully and heads uphill back towards the power lines. Once at the power lines, Road 810 turns sharply left. The lower end of the northeast "ridge" of Natapoc Mountain can be found at this road-bend (~2900 feet of elevation). Leave the road and begin hiking up the forested ridgeline. Keep following the northeast ridgeline, first in the forest (minimal brush) and then in very open coniferous forests, until reaching the northern end of the summit ridge (~4000 feet and 4100 feet of elevation).
The North summit is so forested that there really isn't any view, but if you take the short trail further south you will hit the South summit with southerly views. It can be a good summit option during periods of snowpack even while other more-popular summits near the area have high avalanche danger.
There is little-to-no avalanche danger on Natapoc Mountain along the standard approaches. During late spring through early autumn, the peak is generally dry and has little-to-no water sources on its upper slopes. Many animals are commonly seen on the peak, including black bears, cougars, elk, and deer. The slopes are largely coniferous, mostly comprised of fir and pine trees. In addition, Natapoc Mountain is known to have many wildflowers found on its slopes during spring and summer months.
Trailhead
