Categories: Uncategorized

CRESTON MOUNTAIN

For an aerial view of the Creston Valley, cultivated fields and a vast marshland. A great shoulder season training hike, and in spring, a great wildflower display. The trail stops less than half way up the mountain. Mosquitos between May and August. Hot before 3pm.
The trail is accessed via the Balancing Rock Trail. 

Location: This mountain forms the west mountain boundary of the Creston valley. 
Difficulty:
C2

Distance: 4.5km one-way 1.8km to Balancing Rock
Elevation gain: 680m (2230′)
Key elevations: +222m to Balancing Rock 
Time: 4 hours 
Season: March through November, a good shoulder season hike. 
Access: Excellent. 2 WD on pavement. Moderate sized parking area on west side of West Creston Road.
Map: Creston 82F/2

Drive: Drive west from Creston on Highway 3. Turn left on West Creston Rd signed the Creston Valley Wildlife Area. Ample parking 150m south of the highway.

Trail:
• Trailhead. On West Creston Road, 150m south of from Highway 3.
• Transit the slope towards the highway, then switchback to a power line and continuing below the line.
• 1.3km. Balancing Rock. A large erratic boulder perched oddly on the bedrock.
• 
The trail ascends to the top of the hill, then descends through a denser forest to a swampy boardwalk section where it splits in two directions.
• Heading down and right, the trail descends on the Fern Forest Trail toward Summit Creek and Highway 3 – 1.8km and 180m elevation loss.
• Heading up and left, the trail continues up Creston Mountain. At an outcrop 841m (2760’) get more valley views.
• After an hour, reach a junction, Right goes 100m to a waterfall. Left is the main trail but is more overgrown due to lack of use. Trails end is at 1190m (3900’) at a rock outcrop. 1½ hours.

 

admin

I would like to think of myself as a full time traveler. I have been retired since 2006 and in that time have traveled every winter for four to seven months. The months that I am "home", are often also spent on the road, hiking or kayaking. I hope to present a website that describes my travel along with my hiking and sea kayaking experiences.

Share
Published by
admin

Recent Posts

THE GREAT AMERICAN RAIL TRAIL

A first look at the Great American Rail-Trail—and which section to cycle in 2025 The…

1 week ago

GREAT WHITE SHARKS

A baby great white shark, likely not Liberty, takes the bait during a research expedition…

1 week ago

BIOLUMINESCENT TIDES

Where to see the world’s brightest bioluminescent tides Watching phytoplankton illuminate the world's shores is…

2 weeks ago

DEVIL RAYS

122 devil rays joined in a wild mating ritual that lasted for hours. See it…

2 weeks ago

CREDIT CARDS

There Are Two Kinds of Credit Cards Yet another way the poor are subsidizing the…

2 weeks ago

HOW THE RICH AVOID PAYING TAXES

Illustration by Akshita Chandra / The Atlantic. Source: Getty. March 17, 2025 THE ATLANTIC  America’s…

2 weeks ago