North Fork Silver Creek Trail, Abercrombie Mountain Trail — Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010

Eastern Washington > Selkirk Range

The trailhead for this hike is in the same campground as the the access for the South Fork Silver Creek Trail. This is a free primitive campground, so I'd recommend staying the night in the campground and doing each trail as a dayhike. I was the only person there the weekend I did these two trails. Abercrombie is the second highest peak in Eastern Washington (by one foot!), and can be hiked from three different trailheads. This trailhead provides the easiest driving access but the longest hike to the summit. It is 7.7 miles each way, and the elevation gain is significant (3,230' at the trailhead to 7,308' at the summit of Abercrombie). The North Fork Silver Creek Trail spreads out the elevation gain through many, many switchbacks which cross Ponderosa stands and beautiful aspen groves. Do this hike in the summer for the wildflowers, and then do it again in the fall for the changing colors! Carry enough water for the day; there are only two very small streams along this route.