Abercrombie Mountain Trail
Eastern WashingtonBest Jun–Sep
Northeast Washington's highest summit, with views stretching from the Cascades to the Rockies.
About This Trail
Abercrombie Mountain stands as the highest peak in northeast Washington, and the trail to its summit delivers on that billing. The route begins on an old roadbed through scrubby alder before entering dense lodgepole forest at the North Fork Silver Creek junction around mile 1.4. From there, it climbs steadily through open stands of whitebark pine and Douglas-fir, passing through flower-filled meadows that peak in July and early August.
The final push crosses a junction with the Flume Creek Trail at mile 3, then tackles a short, steep quarter-mile to the rocky summit. Up top, the views stretch in every direction: the Cascades to the west, British Columbia's Rossland Range to the north, Idaho's Selkirk peaks to the east, and the Columbia Plateau sprawling to the south. On clear days, you can pick out the Kettle Range and the Rocky Mountain front.
A fire lookout built here in 1952 lasted barely a decade before the Forest Service tore it down. Hikers have since stacked a rock windbreak at the summit, and it makes a fine spot to sit and take in the panorama. The access road requires some patience. FR 7078 and Road 300 are rough and narrow, and early-season debris can complicate things. High clearance is strongly recommended.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“Aferrenberg and I got to the summit of Abercrombie Mountain via the Flume Creek Trail, which is the east approach to the summit.”
Last report: Jun 13, 2026
Scorecard
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazards
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
- Trees Down
Persistent Hazards
- Rough access road with seasonal debris and logging truck traffic
- No water sources on trail
- Exposed rocky summit in lightning-prone terrain
Getting There
Small pullout at the end of Road 300. The last 3.3 miles are slow and rough. High clearance recommended. Watch for logging trucks on FR 7078.
Follow the old roadbed through alder to the North Fork Silver Creek junction at 1.4 miles. Turn left and climb through lodgepole forest to open meadows. At the Flume Creek junction (mile 3), bear left for the final steep quarter-mile to the summit.
Start early to catch clear summit views before afternoon clouds build. Morning light is best for the eastern panorama toward Idaho.
Recent Reports
Aferrenberg and I got to the summit of Abercrombie Mountain via the Flume Creek Trail, which is the east approach to the summit. The road to the trailhead has been graded down low and is fine, but is very rough and narrow about half way up in a couple of spots where they are doing some logging.
Road is in good shape. I counted 160 downed trees.
5/17/2026 started at the flume Creek trailhead from east side of Abercrombie Mountain. The road is drivable all the way to the trailhead.
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