Exposed Trail

This summit sits on CSKT tribal land and requires a permit for non-tribal members ($100 for one year at the time of writing), which makes access the main consideration rather than the hike itself. I chose this one specifically as my first activation report - the logistics felt important to document clearly. The route is a straightforward, trail-less ascent up an open grassy hillside, with trees at the summit and excellent views of the Mission Mountains. If you can get the permit sorted out, this is an easy and enjoyable activation.

Access & Permit

Summit #7845 is a good hike through the 2021 Trail Creek wildland fire.  The trail signed Ruby-May Creek #3102 was in great shape and being cleared by a Montana Conservation Corps crew during the activation. There are some good views of the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness summits along the trail. 

Caution: this trail and the summit have elevated snag hazard due to recent wildland fires. 

Shook Mountain is the apex on the north end of a small rib of mountains lying between the East and West Forks of the Bitterroot River, and the Idaho/Montana border to the south.  Having good views of both those valleys there are also fine views of rugged peaks in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.

Directions to Slide Rock Mountain W7M/GA-093:

From Missoula, MT 24.6 miles on I-90 East to Exit 126 (about 17 Miles)

South on Rock Creek Road for approximately 9 Miles

Turn East on Brewster Creek Road ,

Follow for 7 miles to County Road 354,

Follow for 2.6 miles to Slide Rock Mountain W7M/GA-093

This nondescript summit is almost indistinguishable from the surrounding ridges and summits.  It does have a rocky forested summit traversed by an old logging skid trail.  It also lies at the head of interestingly named creek, Dirty Ike.

Being close to Clinton, MT, just off Interstate 90 and having a logging road traversing south slopes to just below this summit makes an easy activation or possible easy winter activation.

Trees on the summit provide good support for hanging wire antennas.    

Trail Miles: 0.5 roundtrip

Dec 2025 Update: Access road to the Woodpecker Trailhead is now open. This road passes right past Forest Road 035 which is the turnoff described in the original trip report (http://www.pnwsota.org/node/681). Road 035 has been cleared of all large deadfall, but does narrow in places so suggest you walk this if you don't want paint scratches on the vehicle.

Engle Peak has spectacular views of the southern Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area. Peak access is over good roads and a lightly used trail. 

Double Peaks is a 4-point summit in the Mt. Hood National Forest, 2 miles west of Olallie Lake. The entire area is a burn scar, so expect loose dirt and rocks, burned treefall, and no shade. The area is 2 miles west of the Warm Spring Reservation and lies squarely in the National Forest.

East Canyon Ridge is a summit in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, near Mt. Adams. The summit is along a well used multi-mode trail that sees some mountain bike and moto traffic, though very light on the day of my activation. Huckleberries were ample during my visit in late summer, as well.

Getting there: I rode my mountain bike from Sherman Pass, activated Columbia Mountain, and then continued on to Wapaloosie Mountain before backtracking and descending Jungle Hill. Trails are in decent enough condition and there is nothing about the tread that would make them difficult to hike. I did drive the roads to all the trail heads and the road to this one is in good condition. I found it quite passable in my Subaru Forester.