Chimney Rock Trail #256

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Chimney Rock is found deep in the wild, scenic Idaho Selkirks backcountry, along the Selkirk Crest. Going north on US 95, about 10.5 miles north of Sandpoint and just after crossing the Pack River, is a turnoff to the left/west onto Pack River Road - take this turnoff. Once on Pack River Road, it can take up to an hour to get to the trailhead, as the last 11 miles is unpaved and gets increasingly rough. From here go:
- 17 miles on Pack River Road that becomes FSR 231
- then at a little sign for Trail #256, bear left onto FSR 2653 for about a quarter mile. There is a small parking area here and the trailhead.

Chimney Rock Trail starts by crossing the Pack River on a sturdy bridge and entering the pretty forest on an old dirt road. The trail is wide, and flat as it traverses a ridge for the first 1.7 miles. This ridge is the west side of the Pack River valley. The river is below on the left/east, but can't be seen. However, there are nice views of the forested hills that make up the far side of the Pack River valley.

After 1.7 miles the trail veers right/west and begins climbing on another forested hillside. A few small creeks are crossed. To the left/south, the hillside drops down steeply with the West Branch of the Pack River at the valley bottom. As the trail climbs, openings in the trees to the left, reveal the forested hills of the far side of this river valley. And further on nearby rugged mountains - the Selkirk Mountains, can soon be seen to the left/south.

At the 3 mile mark, now a singletrack trail, the trail begins climbing the end of a ridge to get to its ridge top. The trees thin, bright red bushes in the fall are everywhere, and the views to the north, east, and south get better and better. And a Bear lives here, undoubtedly to feast on all these berry bushes. After about a half mile more, the trail pops out of the trees onto the rock slabs that cover the broad ridge top, Many cairns guide the way over these rock slabs, although there are short stretches of dirt tread too. Views of Chimney Rock to the northwest, emerge above the rock slabs. About another quarter mile, and the climb eases on the ridge top. The views are spectacular in all directions.

At the 4 mile mark, heading northwest towards Chimney Rock, the climb steepens again, but not for long. At the 4.3 mile mark a cliff rises up ahead, nearby. Now in boulder strewn brush at the base of the cliff, the climb eases somewhat as the trail veers right to go around the cliff. Finding the trail is now hard amid the brush and boulders, and scrambling over the boulders is called for. This continues for about a quarter mile with the brush thinning and then disappearing, leaving only the boulder field of Chimney Rock's basin. And Chimney Rock looming ahead, very close by. Carefully cross this boulder field while making your way to Chimney Rock where the trail ends.

Mixed conifer forest, mostly firs and small cedars, plus lush undergrowth at lower elevations. The high country is dominated by firs, less undergrowth, and rocks - slabs and boulders. Deer are around. Bears live here.