PARKVIEW MOUNTAIN (12,303’)

August 24, 2024

By Tim Briese

6.3 miles, 2100’ elevation gain, 4:50 roundtrip time

 

Parkview Mountain is an impressive high peak with commanding views, located a few miles up the ridge west of Willow Creek Pass. Trip reports we looked at described approach routes via a long trail from the pass or via a 4WD road south of the pass, but we decided to check out FR 730 that paralleled the ridge on its north side. We turned onto this road off Highway 125 just north of the pass and followed it for 2.8 miles west as it climbed to a junction with FR 151. It was narrow and steep in places but otherwise quite reasonable. I would certainly recommend this approach.

driving on fr 730

 

we parked here near the junction of fr 730 and fr 151

 

From the junction we walked 0.4 miles up FR 151 to the crest of the ridge at Parkview Pass and headed right onto the Continental Divide Trail, an excellent trail that would take us all the way up to the summit.

we left the road and turned onto the cd trail here (photo by brian schultz)

 

the excellent trail can be seen crossing the slope ahead

 

a view back to the east.  radial mountain, in the center, would be tomorrow's destination.

 

As we climbed out of the trees we faced ferocious winds which only became worse as we climbed higher.

 

 

on the ridge with the summit in view (photo by brian schultz)

 

It was bitterly cold when we reached the top but a rock wall next to an old lookout building provided some relief.

me on the summit (Photo by Brian Schultz)

 

view down toward willow creek pass, with radial mountain beyond

 

an expansive view of north park

 

We met a couple of backpackers on the CD trail today but that was it for company. On the descent a shower pelted down for a bit but soon passed. It was a relief to get back lower out of the wind. As we were packing up at the truck to leave a couple of 4WD trucks with young drivers roared by, and I was glad they were gone before we had to deal with them on the narrow road on our drive back.