Mileage: 3.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
USGS Map: Heron
GPS: 48 03 24.8N 115 53 22.4W
Description: This trail doesn’t see a ton of traffic, with most usage coming from hunters in the fall. The trail starts out by following Blacktail Creek before it picks up some elevation and starts to switchback across a steep slope. After coming to a mid-elevation terrace, the trail winds through the trees before ending at the side of the creek. There are two creek crossings which are manageable most times of the year.
Adventurous hikers might scope out a bushwhack route to tie into Pillick Ridge Trail 1036.
Getting There: The trailhead is located at approximately milepost 9 on Highway 200. There is a short powerline access road leaving the highway that goes to the actual trailhead. However there is very limited parking at this location. Most users park on the south side of Highway 200 in a large wide area and walk across the highway to the trailhead.
Always be prepared when hiking. You’ll want to bring:
- Water. There is access to water in the creek at the beginning and near the end.
- Hiking Poles. The trial is steep in sections.
- A map. The trail can be hard to find sometimes.
- Long pants. Overgrown brush and downed trees can be abundant in early summer before our volunteer trail crew clears the path.
- A trowel to do your business and a bag for your trash. There is not bathroom at the trailhead so you’ll have to bury your business and pack out your toilet paper.
