Trail #290 Layser Cave

A map depicting trails in the Randle area within the Cowlitz Valley vicinity.

Randle area general map in the Cowlitz Valley Vicinity. Sites include:
Camp Creek Falls Trail #260
Iron Creek Campground
Kraus Ridge Trail #275
Layser Cave Trail #290
Purcell Lookout Trail #285
Tower Rock Campground
Woods Creek Watchable Wildlife Trail #247

Area Status: Open

A short .25 mile walk takes you to the entrance of Layser Cave, one of the most significant archaeological sites in western Washington. Animal bones and stone tools found on the floor of the cave and buried in the soil layers enabled experts to piece together a history of more than 7,000 years.

Layser Cave is a dark cool cave that lets you imagine what the people were like who shared this space thousands of years before us. Signs along the trail help explain how archaeologists pieced together the story of the cave's use. The trail begins and ends on Forest Road 2300.084. The parking area will accommodate buses.

Special Conditions: Forest Road 2300.084 is steep.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	10/14/2022: Trail is accessible. Road to trailhead is steep and may have some minor hazards, travel with caution. Due to elevation this site will be inaccessible due to snow in winter/spring. Contact Cowlitz Valley Ranger District for more info. 360-497--1103.
Usage:	Medium
Closest Towns:	Randle, WA; Packwood WA
Water:	No
Restroom:	No
Operated By:	Forest Service
Information Center:	Cowlitz Valley Ranger District

General Information

Directions:

From Randle, Washington travel south on State Highway 131 (Forest Roads 23 and 25). Veer left in 1 mile at the Y of Forest Road 23 and Forest Road 25. Continue to follow Forest Road 23 for about 7 miles to spur road 083. Turn left on Forest Road 083. The hard to find trailhead is on a sharp turn that goes up and to the left.

The trail begins and ends on Road 2300.084.