Larch Mountain (Clark County, Washington)
Encyclopedia
Larch Mountain, elevation 3480 foot, is the highest free-standing peak in Clark County, Washington
. (The andesite
plugs Pyramid Rock and Sturgeon Rock are higher but are outcroppings on ridges of Silver Star Mountain.) It is laced by a network of gravel roads as part of the Yacolt Burn
State Forest. The eastern flank of the mountain was scorched by a gigantic forest fire in September 1902 and subsequently experienced a massive rockslide that rendered that side mostly unvegetated. The southern section of the mountain is part of the Jones Creek Off-Road Vehicle recreation area. From the picnic area at the top, the view is west toward the Vancouver, Washington
area and east to Silver Star. A minimum security prison/work camp is situated nearby, whose inmates construct fire roads, fire trails, maintain campgrounds and help fight fires in the area.
. Livingston Mountain has gained popularity in recent years with developers. However, Camp Bonneville occupies much of the North and West flanks of the mountain, limiting the development in that area. The Mountain is only 25 minutes from the Portland Airport. The Livingston and Larch area is abundant with wild life including Deer,Elk, Black Bears, Coyotes, Grouse, Bald Eagles, Bobcat and Mountain Lion. The Flora is also quite abundant tall evergreens, lush ferns, huckle berries and many more. Due to the Yacolt Burn most trees are only half of a century old but it is not uncommon to find a tree or two that escaped the burn and now towers over the surrounding trees.
Clark County, Washington
Clark County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Washington, across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon.Clark County was the first county of Washington, named after William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition...
. (The andesite
Andesite
Andesite is an extrusive igneous, volcanic rock, of intermediate composition, with aphanitic to porphyritic texture. In a general sense, it is the intermediate type between basalt and dacite. The mineral assemblage is typically dominated by plagioclase plus pyroxene and/or hornblende. Magnetite,...
plugs Pyramid Rock and Sturgeon Rock are higher but are outcroppings on ridges of Silver Star Mountain.) It is laced by a network of gravel roads as part of the Yacolt Burn
Yacolt Burn
The Yacolt Burn was the worst forest fire in the history of Washington state.Fanned by the dry "Devil Wind" from eastern Washington, the fire began in the early hours of September 12, 1902 just north of Carson, Washington. It traveled in 36 hours and destroyed 238,920 acres of timber, about 12...
State Forest. The eastern flank of the mountain was scorched by a gigantic forest fire in September 1902 and subsequently experienced a massive rockslide that rendered that side mostly unvegetated. The southern section of the mountain is part of the Jones Creek Off-Road Vehicle recreation area. From the picnic area at the top, the view is west toward the Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver is a city on the north bank of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington. Incorporated in 1857, it is the fourth largest city in the state with a 2010 census population of 161,791 as of April 1, 2010...
area and east to Silver Star. A minimum security prison/work camp is situated nearby, whose inmates construct fire roads, fire trails, maintain campgrounds and help fight fires in the area.
Livingston Mountain Washington
Livingston Mountain is Larch Mountain's sister peak. It lies North of Camas, WashingtonCamas, Washington
Camas is a city in Clark County, Washington, with a population of 19,355 at the 2010 census. Officially incorporated on June 18, 1906, the city is named after the camas lily, a plant with an onion-like bulb prized by Native Americans. At the west end of downtown Camas is a large Georgia-Pacific...
. Livingston Mountain has gained popularity in recent years with developers. However, Camp Bonneville occupies much of the North and West flanks of the mountain, limiting the development in that area. The Mountain is only 25 minutes from the Portland Airport. The Livingston and Larch area is abundant with wild life including Deer,Elk, Black Bears, Coyotes, Grouse, Bald Eagles, Bobcat and Mountain Lion. The Flora is also quite abundant tall evergreens, lush ferns, huckle berries and many more. Due to the Yacolt Burn most trees are only half of a century old but it is not uncommon to find a tree or two that escaped the burn and now towers over the surrounding trees.