Gifford Pinchot. Stretching from Mount Rainier south to the Columbia River, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is a fitting tribute to one of the visionary leaders known for his conservation ethic. Serving as U.S. Chief Forester, Pinchot was praised for the establishment, development and management of America's forestlands.
   Located in the South Cascades region and noted for its complex topography and volcanic geology, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is spread over Skamania, Clark, Lewis, Yakima, Cowlitz, and Klickitat counties. This view takes in Sturgeon Fin, a rock monolith that was once noted the high point in Clark County. Modern hand-held GPS units soon discovered that the USGS mis-mapped the location of this monolith. Corrected coordinates place the peak along the Clark and Skamania county line. Seen as a moderate climb, some climbers looking for more adventure find alternate routes with more difficulty. Some of these climbs are noted as a class 4 scramble. The cliffs of Sturgeon Fin appear as terraces or two-to-three foot stair steps. Nearing the east end, the ascent may pose more of a challenge getting to the top.

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