The trail starts out by crossing the Pack River on a newer bridge, then following old FR #2653, which is now closed to motorized traffic. The road consists of a dense bed of noxious weeds bordered on both sides by thick stands of alder and shoulder-high bracken ferns. It meanders alongside the lower flank of Silver Dollar Peak in a southwesterly direction for a couple of miles, crossing Thor Creek on a sturdy bridge, entering a cooling grove of western red cedars, then exchanging the shade and cool for heat and views of the Pack River valley and the west face of Roman Nose on the other side of the Pack River. 

Eventually you come to a fork in the road. In the hiking world, as in real life, the road less traveled involves more bushwhacking, thus choose the road more traveled, which, alas, leads westwards and uphill. It remains an old logging road all the way to Chimney Creek at the 3-mile mark. As the road ascends towards Chimney Creek the tree canopy opens somewhat and serves up views of the McCormick Ridge and Gunsight Peak. 

Shortly past Chimney Creek, the trail loses all semblance of a road, being reduced to a single-track winding its way uphill through a lush carpet of still-tart (in early August) huckleberries. Be on the lookout for Chimney Rock, with first glimpses possible near the 3.25-mile mark through the trees. Shortly afterward you’ll emerge onto a granite bench, enabling a better look at the chimney. The terrain flattens out and you’ll have to keep a sharp eye on the rock cairns signaling the route across the expansive granite slabs.

Near the 4-mile mark the route turns northwestwards toward Chimney Peak, but staying below a steep cliff of a Mount Roothaan flank. The trail here is quite overgrown and easy to lose, especially when you get into the rockier areas. We lost is more than once, but as long as you keep a sharp eye on the rock cairns you’ll find your way back to the proper route. Once the trees retreat, and Chimney Rock rises up in it full glory in front of you, the trail all but vanishes. The objective is simple, though. Cross the boulder field towards the base of Chimney Rock, then hike along its base towards the saddle to the right (eastern side). After taking in the view to the north (Eddy Peak, Silver Dollar Peak) follow the narrow and precarious footpath around Chimney Rock’s north face to the west side. The west side offers a fairly straightforward scramble up to the razor-edge saddle just below Chimney Rock. This spot provides grandiose views in every direction, including Priest Lake. The ledge is only a few feet wide though, and the drop-off on the eastern side is vertical. Be careful! 

Alternate Routes

• You can also access Chimney Rock from the Priest Lake side along Horton Ridge