Hawkins Mountain Trail

5/5 (6 reviews)
Roslyn, Washington (Kittitas County)
Last Updated: 07/04/2022

Trail Information

Highlights

The Hawkins Mountain Trail is a spur trail that starts at Gallagher Lake at the end of the Fortune Creek Trail. This trail was cut up into the upper reaches of Hawkins Mountain at the turn of the century by miners looking for gold and silver. You can still see pilings along this trail leftover from the mining operations. The trail is short but very steep and might present some challenges to vehicles with stock tires. For those brave enough is a reward with some of the most spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The Wind Turbines on I-90 can be seen 60 miles away on a clear day. The trail winds up the mountain with some twists and turns and gut-wrenching hill climbs not for the faint of heart. There are some high mountain meadows that are alive with spring flowers. Please stay on the trail and out of the meadows.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

5/5 (6 reviews)
1800
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 07/21/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

I always love hitting this little spur after making it up to Gallagher Head Lake. Amazing views of Mt Rainer and the surrounding valleys. Not too hard, really only challenging at the very beginning and the very end.
Official Crew
23300
Impassable
Rated 5/5
Visited: 06/20/2021

Was up on Fortune Creek trying to get to the lake and encountered deep snow that was too deep to be practically navigated without becoming a winch-vest. I would think this trail which is at a higher elevation would also be socked in with snow. It will be at least End of July - Early August before these trails with be open to the end.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/04/2020

If your up Fortune Creek Trail, this is a nice short one with awesome views at mile 0.38. If you want the extra challenge to drive to the end views are still awesome, but at that point your in it for the journey, not the destination. There are a few steep climbs and descents that make for some fun as well as some deep ruts that will put your suspension to work. In the last couple hundred feet of trail the mostly challenging section is a very steep section with some rather large rocks and dips. It seems to have become pretty dug out in spots and the combination of very steep and larger dips makes this section quite challenging. I'd be leery of this if your running an IFS like me with stock components. The steep incline with all the dips seems like a good way to blow up a half shaft. Luckily there is a bypass that is much more doable for most rigs, which is what I opted for.
Official Crew
23300
Partially Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 10/01/2019

I just saw on Facebook some pictures of this trail and the Fortune creek trail used to get here. The snow has come early and with that I'm pretty sure this trail is done for the season. Please take special care if you attempt it.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/13/2019

I was able to get to the end of this trail with no problems until the near the end. That's when the last hill climb got muddy and I was pulled up just enough to complete the climb. Stock tires and no lift FTW. Pictures don't do the hill justice.

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