NORTHERN IDAHO

Summary

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Located in the Selkirk mountains, chimney rock is a lovely day hike up Mt Roothan. Considered a moderately challenging hike, there’s plenty of elevation gain and it comes complete with a bit of rock hopping along the trail.

Trail Stats

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Trail Details

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Chimney Rock Trailhead is easy to find. At least from the Eastern trailhead, I’ve never tried the Western trailhead on the Priest Lake side. Simply turn off HWY 95 onto Pack River Road. And keep driving for what feels like eternity along an often wash boarded road. It’s under 20 miles. There’s a pretty clearly marked sign directing you to the small parking area.

The trail itself is rather easy to follow as it is traversed frequent enough to keep the passage obvious. Which is to my general preference. I’ve felt lost in the woods before and did not particularly enjoy the experience.

Most of the lower trail takes you through trees with varying levels of uphill climbing. Only a few sections are brutal, though rather brief in length. We only saw a few other persons on the trail. One girl near the top stated the mountain ate her phone. Meaning she dropped it into a crack between boulders and could not retrieve it. Bummer that. Good reminder to keep ahold of your items. I notoriously drop things but made sure not to loose anything on this day.

After a while of hiking (no idea on length, I never tracked it) you’re graced with views of Chimney Rock in the distance. This 380 foot granite column stands atop the Selkirk Mountain Range ridge line and is frequently visible from Priest Lake and a variety hikes in the area. From this vantage point, you’ll notice the mostly barren rocky slope below Chimney Rock. There’s where the fun lays.

Eventually, your feet will bring you to said rocks. Many are closer to boulders that you get to hop about while crossing rock slides. I love rocks and my family used to joke that I’m part billy goat with how I’d bounce around a rocky section. Things haven’t changed. I still love it. Though, admittedly, I’m significantly less graceful or sure footed than a mountain goat.

The last slog up winds you on a narrow, uneven path along the bowl beneath the peaks. It is narrow and the trail is slanted. My least favorite thing. Narrow trails with nothing to grab onto if you fall. And I have fallen pretty epically once. Do not recommend the falling bit. When I went, the trail was clear of snow and there was no significant wind. That made my nerves happier. Go figure. Perfectly content to jump amongst boulders, squeamish on a steep, open, narrow trails. In my defense those rocks are 100% loose. Dang scree fields. They get me every time. Wind always makes me feel as if I’m to be blown off a mountain. It’d take quite the gale, but nevertheless it’s one of those ridiculous feelings I can’t quite seem to rationalize with. My brain knows I’m fine. Doesn’t prevent me from feeling panicky. Oh well. One foot in front of the other and I purposely keep my gaze slanted to the uphill side. Just. Don’t. Look. Down.

After the scree you’ll literally be at the base of Chimney rock. If you’re a climber I suppose you could summit the rock. I am not so I simply enjoyed the view, happily perched along the ridge. No wind, remember? Views are lovely in just about every direction. Perfect lunch spot. And we had it all to ourselves! Even better!

Heading back, make sure to stop and soak in the view of Chimney Rock again. It is most magnificent from the valley below.

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