Bells Mountain Trail is a 16 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Yacolt, Washington that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, horses, and mountain biking and is best used from February until November. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail.
Note: Part of this trail area is closed Monday-Friday for logging. From Moulton Falls, the trail begins with a one mile steep incline through lush forest. Towards the top of Bell's Mountain, the trail goes through a clear cut. The trail is well marked every half mile but there is a road crossing near the top of Bell's Mountain that is a bit hard to pick up. When you hit the road, turn left and follow the road around to the right for about 100 yards. There is a cairn where the trail picks up again. The trail continues along the slopes of Bell's Mountain and Spotted Dear Mountain and and then descends and runs along or near Cedar Creek until the end, which is just South of the Cold Creek Day Use Area. Many folks hike the entire 7.7 mile trail as a point-to-point and have someone pick them up at the Cold Creek Day Use Area. Others just do an out-and-back from Moulton Falls. Either way, it's a great hike with spectacular views!
From Portland, OR, take I-205 north to exit 30b to Battle Ground. go to left lane and proceed north on SR503 for abt 10 mi to Battle Ground. Continue N on SR503 abt 5 1/2 miles further & turn right on Rock Creek Road. Follow Rock Creek Road for abt 8 1/2 mi to Moulton Falls County Park. Take the main path across the pedestrian bridge about 0.5 miles to the trailhead.
Great trail! No trouble parking at 9am. Once leaving the Moulton Falls area, saw only 5 people over 4 miles. No snow on trail, and just muddy in spots. Snow dusted the neighboring peaks adding to the beautiful views. The trail along the creek is particularly beautiful; the slopes of green ferns just come in waves. My hiking buddy is a weeny dog so we just did 10 of the out and back miles. I thought it was a good variety of up and down, treed and open. And plenty of water.
Amazing. Hit the summit from the logging road. Still a good amount of snow
Partly snow covered and muddy. Hiked out to the first big clear cut, about two miles from Moulton falls. Sustained uphill for about a mile once you hit the actual trailhead. Good workout! Partial view of St Helens and rolling hills of the surrounding area. Lots of trees, ferns, moss, and mud. Few people this morning. Very peaceful.
Trail was enjoyable. Very muddy in spots. Very few people on trail. Only saw about 6 others in the out and back. As others have said they are clear cutting and the trail is closed at another mile 2.5 or so on Monday-Friday. But is all open on Saturday and Sunday. I ended up hiking 17.5 total.
Really good condition. Wet, but not real muddy. Goal this year is 100 miles with 30k elevation. Ya Bra!
Very pretty trail even on a very foggy day with low visibility. First bit is tough. I only went to mile marker 4 and back but saw many stream crossings (all with bridges) and a cool few birds. Muddy and slick in some spots but not too bad. Not many people once on Bells Mountain Trail (9 total and some dogs) and most masked up before passing. Mounting Falls at the beginning/end was a great treat! More folks down there for sure but path is wider.
The morning was cloudy, foggy even, with mist and sprinkles at times. It rained the night before so I brought poles in case was it muddy. I hiked out to the 5 mile marker from the Moulton Falls side. Made it to the same point and past where I stopped at when starting on the YBTH side. Foggy, couldn't see anything, but it was peaceful. It's a good hike to get the blood flowing and I cruised on this one. Lots of debris on the trail after about 3 miles but all was underfoot or manageable. Some recent cuttings had taken place but more are needed. Poles came in handy both going up and coming back down the hill. Saw 6 people on the way out to my turn around point and 13 people when returning so I'd say heavily trafficked.
the initial climb is brutal! take it easy. once up top it's smooth sailing and a great hike.
I'm using this hike as a tracker for any progress I make with getting into shape. unfortunately couldnt make it too terribly far (just a mile) due to it being completely uphill and not realizing what I had gotten myself into ha. the trail it's self was beautiful, clean, and manageable. every person I had passed were friendly but the trail was empty enough to feel like you were alone with nature.
Get ready to climb!! So you can start at Moulton as listed, or you can start at Coldwater Campground. I have done both and here is what I would say. From Moulton- you get the harder uphill out of way first. It feels longer this way. If you muscle through the first 3 miles there are beautiful sections. The view at the top of first 1.5 miles is epic. There is hunting this side you will hear it. Once you get to mile 5-6 you get more rolling trial and eventually start following cold creek. There are a few spots to reach it and get water and cool off and near the top last few miles a few good swimming spots. It ends at the bridge with the best swimming by trail to campground. Way back is easy and hard on knees that last few miles on way back. It’s about 18 miles not 16. GO THIS WAY- if you want a workout, committed to full loop as last few miles are most rewarding, making it a day trip, and have the stamina. Not really any camping until campground FYI unless you make your own spot. From campground- better way to start if you are not you can do full loop . You follow Creek first few miles then start up mountain. It is overgrown for a mile just power through. Great way if you want choice to turn around sooner. More rewarding.
I didn't love this hike but I'm giving it 4 stars because it's not the trail's fault. I took my dog here looking for better air quality during the wildfires. This trail is a serious butt-burner and was much more than I bargained for. There was one other person there, a local, and he said it's nearly straight up for almost 10 miles. Thank goodness we turned around after about 1.5 miles. If you're training, trying to lose a few pounds, or need to burn off some energy - this trail is for you!
Trail is in great shape! Only made it to the 4.5 mile marker, but it was great the whole way (only recorded on the way back).