High Rock Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

To hike the High Rock Trail northbound as shown here, its start is found at the south end of Atlas Staging Area along Allison Creek Road, on the west side of the road.

An excellent, extremely detailed description of the High Rock Trail can be found here.

From the staging area the trailheads south into the forest, swings around to the west, crosses Allison Creek and comes out on a road. Head right/north for 400 feet on the road and then turn right into the forest. Circle around the north shore of Chinook Lake to climb to a cutline on the right/east at the 2.5 mile mark.

Continuing to climb, at the 4.2 mile mark the climb eases below the rock walls of the High Rock Range/Great Divide, to the west. To the east are broad forested valleys with views of Crowsnest Mountain and Seven Sisters across them. Hiking in alpine meadows now, below the rugged peaks of the High Rock Range, after 2 more miles the climb steepens and the first high point is reached at the 7.3 mile mark.

From here the trail runs along the High Rock Range's rocky, majestic peaks, close by to the west, for its entire length. It alternates between dropping down into forested valleys with creeks flowing through them, and climbing to ridge tops and passes in alpine meadows. Eight high points are reached, all with awesome views of the forested valleys below and rocky peaks to the east and west. The trail is a mix of singletrack trail and ATV routes. It crosses various other "trails" and ATV tracks, so pay careful attention to trail markings - orange blazes, small GDT logos, and other signs. Also good to have an electronic device with the GPX track to follow.

Although there are many interesting features along the way, a few are worth noting.

Window Mountain Lake at the 10.9 mile mark, is a pretty lake set in a dramatic cirque just below peaks of the Great Divide. There is a nice campground here. The final climb to Window Mountain Lake and climb/descent out are both rather rugged. Spending a night at Window Mountain Lake is well worth the effort.

At the 12.5 mile mark, the trail heads up steep switchbacks as it begins its climb to Racehorse Shoulder. This climb, entirely in alpine meadows, has amazing views in all directions. Racehorse Shoulder, reached at the 14.2 mile mark, is the highest point along the High Rock Trail.

After crossing First Creek at the 18.4 mile mark, the trail climbs to a saddle at the 19.8 mile mark, and veers northeast to arrive on and follow Domke Ridge for 1.5 miles. This steep sided ridge provides great views of valleys below.

Good camping spots are Window Mountain Lake (10.9 mile mark), First Creek (18.4 mile mark), and North Racehorse Creek (22.7 mile mark).

The High Rock Trail ends at Dutch Creek where it meets the older GDT.

Conifer forest and some cut areas at lower elevations. Alpine meadows at higher elevations. Barren rock and rugged peaks at the highest elevations. Bears live here. So do smaller animals.