Grassy Top

Let the car take care of most of the climbing, then enjoy this gently contouring trail that begins in forest and passes through thickets of huckleberries before arriving in the upper grassy meadows that provide spectacular views of the surrounding peaks in the Selkirk range.

From the small trailhead at Pass Creek Pass, the trail descends down a short distance and begins to climb toward Grassy Top. There are a few small trailside seeps in this first section, the only source of water along the trail, so be sure to top off water bottles if needed. The majority of the views along the trail are looking westward, where on a clear day the prominent profiles of Abercrombie and Hooknose Mountains are visible. The climb is steady but not overly steep, and the views continually improve along the way.

At the 2.7 mile mark Grassy Top intersects the Hall—Grassy Divide, a good option for extending the hike to Hall Mountain or Sullivan Lake. Continue an additional 1.1 miles to the summit of Grassy Top, with its open wildflower-filled meadows granting sweeping views eastward. Priest Lake and the Idaho Selkirks are visible on a clear day, and huckleberries surround the meadows. The trail continues south an additional 4 miles to an alternate access point on Forest Road 031, although this portion of the trail has steep sections prone to erosion damage and is very infrequently maintained.