Forum Discussion

Al_Fresco's avatar
Al_Fresco
Explorer
Aug 04, 2013

Skate Creek roads

Is the Skate Creek road (Forest Rd. 52 between Packwood and Elbe Washington) suitable for use with a small class C (25') towing a dinghy?
  • As of Friday it was, pulling a 29 ft trailer and full size pick up. Spent 4 days at Cougar Rock campground (loop D). Curvy at a lot of places and had to slow down couple times but no problems. If you made any phone calls from campground pay phone might want to check what they charged.
  • http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=74275

    This is the Forest Service current conditions page.

    I've driven it in an SUV, and thought it was an easy drive, for a paved FS road. On Google Maps terrain view, the only significant climb is a the Packwood end, with one broad hairpin curve. At the Rainier end it parallels the main access road to Longmire, but on the south side of the river just outside the park. Not many views due to the trees.

    a video
    A time-lapse 8 minute version of the drive.
  • Thanks for the input. We will be traveling to Ashford (Mounthaven RV Park) via U.S. 12. from the east. The Skate Creek road looks like a useful “shortcut.” Glad to hear that it is doable in a class C.