Maple Mountain Hike
Hike Rating: Moderate
Hike Length: 5.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,520’
Trailhead Elevation: 3,910’
Best Season: May to September
Driving Access: Any vehicle
Plus
Points
• One of the best old-growth
forest hikes in the Highlands, with bonus views
• Trail is within the Clackamas Mtn. Roadless Area and is
closed to motorized travel
• Splendid panoramic vistas across the Highlands near the
summit of Maple Mountain
• Old-growth stands of western larch and douglas fir are
found throughout the hike
• Mule deer and elk are common in the forested and shady
mountain bench habitats
• This seldom-used trail is both an intimate forest hike
and a good view hike in one
Minus
Points
• A few steep grades on both
the developed trail and cross-country hike to the summit
• Expect some blown-down trees across the trail in the
lower, forested sections
• Lots of cow activity in the upper half of the trail
(but not on the high summit ridges)
Download
(PDF, 699 KB): Photos of Maple Mountain
Hike
Download
(PDF, 655 KB): Topo Map for Maple Mountain
Hike
Download
(GPX, 1 KB): GPS Points for Maple Mountain
Hike
Download
(PDF, 582 KB): Road Map for Maple Mountain
Hike
Trail
Notes
From the
signed trailhead on Road 2086, the trail descends gradually
north through old-growth larch and fir to a well-built
footbridge at 0.5 miles, which conveys hikers across the
marshy floodplain of Granite Creek. Past the footbridge,
after a short steep scramble up onto a stream terrace, the
trail begins a long, 0.8 mile traverse up the east-facing
side of the canyon, through immense old-growth larch and
fir stands that have never been logged. As the trail gains
elevation, one has occasional views east through the trees
of the summit ridge of Storm King Mtn.
At 1.3 miles, the trail makes a wide, steep switchback at a
downed fence, then follows this fence back uphill to the
west. Within 300 yards, the trail passes through a wire
gate (GPS Point 1 — leave the gate as you find it!), then
gains the top of the ridge and heads north. The track can
be hard to follow here, as cattle have churned and trampled
the wet meadows, but if one keeps following the fence line
north, the trail is soon regained. Despite the intensity of
cow activity in this section, the old-growth trees here are
magnificent and the hiking is easy through the shady,
grassy understory.
Leaving the
forest at 2.1 miles, the trail contours west and climbs
gradually up across the dry, rocky southwest flank of Maple
Mountain. Here the views open up to the south and one has
long vistas down the Maple Creek drainage to Fir Mountain
and points beyond. Following the trail as it climbs across
the open slope, one soon comes to a high point at 2.3 miles
(GPS Point 2), where the trail starts a descent into a
forested canyon. From this high point, the route leaves the
trail and is cross-country to the north toward the summit
of Maple Mountain. The slope is steep, but by making long
switchbacks across the grassy hillside under the scattered
firs, the hiking is relatively easy. Look for mule deer on
the shady benches as one ascends.
The actual peak of Maple Mountain is covered with thick
trees blocking the views, but the east ridge is open
grassland and rock, with spectacular views (GPS Point 3).
From this viewpoint, one has vistas north to Bodie
Mountain, east to the Kettle Range crest and wide views
south across the Okanogan Highlands. Return as you came.
Road
to the Trailhead
From downtown
Republic, WA, drive 2.4 miles west on Hwy 20, then turn
right (north) on gravel Trout Creek Road. After 0.7 miles,
turn left (northwest) on Sheridan Road. Drive 3.9 miles,
past private forest lands and homes, to the signed
trailhead on the left, just 50 yards past the cattle guard
at the Forest boundary. Park off to the side of the road,
taking care not to block passage in either direction.
The first two miles of Sheridan Road are good graded
gravel, and the last 2 miles are much narrower and rockier
— but any passenger car should be able to travel it, taking
care in the rough and rocky spots.
Camping
Options
The nearest public campground
is at the Ferry County Fairgrounds, on Hwy 20 about 2.3
miles east of its junction with Hwy 21 just south of
Republic, WA, and about 9 driving miles from the trailhead.
On a large expanse of lawn with just a few shade trees are
102 RV sites with power and water hookups, plus additional
tent-only spaces. The campground also offers restrooms and
coin-operated showers. Fees in 2015 were $5.00 per night
for tent campers and $15.00 per night for utility hookups.
The next
nearest public campground is Curlew Lake State Park, a
125-acre site on Hwy 21 about 9 miles north of Republic and
about 16 driving miles from the trailhead. Spread out over
three loop roads are 57 tent campsites and 25 utility
hookup sites. The campground has 2 restrooms, 4 showers and
a dump station, plus a park store and two boat ramps. The
campground is closed in the winter months, from late
October to late March. Reservations are recommended in
summer and can be made at the WA State Parks website or by
calling (888) 226-7688. Fees in 2015 were $12.00 per night
for primitive sites, $25.00 for standard campsites and
$30.00-$45.00 for utility hookup sites.
Agency
Contact: Colville National Forest,
Republic District, (509) 775-7400
DISCLAIMER:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this
information, but the authors do not guarantee that it is
either current or correct. The reader assumes full
responsibility for any use of this information, and is
encouraged to contact local public land agencies to inquire
about current conditions before
traveling.
Page last updated: 11/1/15