Rock Peak

Overview

Rock Peak is located within the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness of northwestern Montana. The views of close-by peaks and lakes will be an inspiration and motivator for many other trips into this area. Perhaps the generally crumbly nature of the rock on this mountain is the reason that even with a short approach and fantasic views, you are not likely to see others on its remote summit.

Getting There

From Priest River Idaho, follow highway 2/200 to Montana, at about mile marker 17 (a few miles past Noxon) turn left of a gravel road marked with a forect service access sign. Follow the road to a 'Y' at .2 miles and veer right under the power lines. Forest road 150 goes both left and right at the 'Y' so be sure to go right and under the power lines. Follow this road for about 5.3 miles and veer left at another 'Y' (right turn goes to the Rock Lake trailhead). Continue on this road for about 3 more miles till you reach another road the goes right. This road should be mark with a sign (St. Paul Peak/Chicago Peak). Turn right here and continue to the trailhead at about 16 miles from the highway. There are one or two spur roads along the way, each of which deadends. When in doubt stay on the most travelled road. This road becomes abusive in a few spots and requires high ground clearance.

Approach via Cliff Lake trailhead. The drive to the trailhead involves 16 miles of vehicle abuse (high clearance required), which gains much elevation but makes for a relatively easy day climb with pretty obvious route finding.

Red Tape

No permits are required for backcountry camping, parking at the trailhead, or day hiking. Apart from standard wilderness regulations, there are no special rules or restrictions for this peak.

Camping

The trailhead at Cliff Lake has some flat spots where you can car camp (stone table too!) and Cliff Lake has a several nice spots reachable with just a short and easy hike.


If you don't mind the long (1 hour) drive to the trailhead on climb day, there is an established, pay camping area several miles inside the Montana border on highway 200 and west of the gravel road to the TH.

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