Morrison Creek Campground, Gifford Pinchot, Washington

Located on the access road to the South Climb route of Mount Adams, in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Morrison Creek Forest Campground is remote, quiet, and primitive. Morrison Creek provides a seasonal water source, running clear and cold. There is no piped water; the creek water requires filtering. Vault toilets (2) are incredibly clean and free of odor. Crude fire pits are provided. The Forest Service claims there are 12 campsites, but that is a liberal estimate. Access to the campground is via paved, gravel, and dirt roads, all passable and well maintained. The campground road itself is unmaintained and passable by high clearance four wheel drive only. The general forest around Morrison Creek Campground has been afflicted by the Spuce Budworm, resulting in about a 50% kill of trees. The Forest Service has pro-actively cut down most of the dead or dying trees. The result looks like asset from the Ax Men – downed trees, slash piles, jumbles of logs, and general unsightliness due to deforestation. The Shorthorn Trail, providing direct access to the Around the Mountain Trail, leaves directly from the far end of the Campground. It is a beautiful trail, immediately entering wilderness.

Overall pluses of the Morrison Creek Campground are solitude, clean facilities, ample firewood, close proximity to the South Climb trail head, and trail access. Overall negatives are visual unattractiveness, lack of piped water, and no visual attractions.