Noisy Creek Tr. 588 to Hall Mtn Tr. 540

Approach

Allow 2 hours' driving time from Spokane to get to Sullivan Lake (at the base of Hall Mountain).

The trailhead is at the Noisy Creek Campground, located at the south end of Sullivan Lake and operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Look for the sign just beyond the Group Camping area. One can park on the asphalt right at the trailhead. A good restroom is located nearby.

Route Description

The Noisy Creek Trail 588 climbs up a series of switchbacks to get to a ridge east of the campground area. One can look down to Sullivan Lake before getting deep into the cedar forest around Noisy Creek itself. Crossing the 12'-wide creek is a little tricky during the spring runoff; there is a log bridge to keep your boots dry. The trail travels along the north bank of the creek, but then turns sharply away at elevation 4550'. Fill up your water bottles at this point, since no water is available on the summit (unless you can melt some snow).

The trail widens somewhat and the forest composition changes from Western Red Cedar to Subalpine Fir. Once at the saddle between Hall Mountain and Grassy Top Mountain, you intercept the Halll Mountain Trail 540. Total one-way mileage at this point is 5.3. From here, Trail 540 slices 1.8 miles up the southern part of the ridge, through grassy meadows and small patches of forest. There are excellent views of Sullivan Lake far to the west, and of the Pend Oreille River Valley. The trail passes a great campsite meadow about 200 vertical feet below the rounded summit.

For a group of Boy Scouts hiking up in the rain with 30-40 lb. backpacks, it took us 5-1/4 hours to get to the summit (not including our lunch break). In dry weather the next day, it took us 3-1/4 hours to get back down.

Essential Gear

If you have bad knees, trekking poles will help you climb and descend.

Fill your water bottles for the second half of this strenuous hike, where the trail departs from Noisy Creek at elevation ~4,550 feet. Be advised, though, that to get to the creek will require bushwacking through 100 feet of closely-spaced saplings and downed timber. If you want to get easier access to water, fill up at the elevation 4,100- foot elevation or so.

One can also melt snow higher up the mountain, but after June 1st, you're taking your chances on whether there will be any snow left at all.

Images

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