North Fork Sullivan Creek
Eastern WashingtonBest Jul–Sep
A relentless Selkirk climb to Crowell Ridge through the least-visited corner of the Salmo-Priest Wilderness.
About This Trail
North Fork Sullivan Creek climbs hard out of the Sullivan Lake drainage, gaining 3,600 feet over 5.7 miles to reach Crowell Ridge in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness. There is no independent trailhead here. You reach the North Fork Sullivan junction via either the Halliday Trail (4.2 miles) or the Red Bluff Trail (5.2 miles), which means the full effort to the ridge runs somewhere around 10 miles one way.
The lower stretches pass through dense pine forest with occasional valley views opening up. A small creek ford and a wetland section (where moose sometimes browse) break up the steady climb. Above the wilderness boundary, the trail enters a rougher zone with downed trees, narrow tread, and sections that have not seen maintenance tools in years. The upper ridgeline rewards the effort with expansive views, fire-scarred standing snags, and seasonal wildflower displays of paintbrush, lupine, beargrass, and columbine.
WTA crews logged out Crowell Ridge in 2024 and made significant progress on brushing and drainage along the North Fork Sullivan approach. The trail is in the best shape it has been in years, though the section beyond the Slate Creek junction (about 2.7 miles from the three-way split) remains rough. Huckleberry patches line the upper trail in late summer. This is backcountry that asks something of you, and it delivers in proportion.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
Scorecard
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
Persistent Hazards
- no independent trailhead - requires 4+ mile approach
- trail faint and unmaintained beyond Slate Creek junction
- downed trees above wilderness boundary
Getting There
Park at the Halliday or Red Bluff trailhead. From Metaline Falls, take Highway 31 north 2.4 miles to Sullivan Lake Road, then 3.9 miles south to the trailhead. No pass required. No facilities.
The North Fork Sullivan junction sits 4.2 miles in via the Halliday Trail or 5.2 miles via Red Bluff. From the junction, the trail climbs steadily to Crowell Ridge. Route-finding required in the upper wilderness sections where tread fades.
Start early. The round trip from Halliday to Crowell Ridge and back runs around 20 miles with 4,500+ feet of gain. An overnight camp on the ridge makes this far more enjoyable.
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