S-Mountain via Frontside

The classic hike up S-Mountain follows the Frontside Trail. Beginning the hike from the F-Street Bridge trailhead, head across the train tracks to pick up Frontside, turning left to head up the mountain. After switchbacking a few times and winding across the face of the mountain, the most direct route to the summit turns right to climb the Burn Pile Trail and then turns right again on Spiral Drive to finish the ascent. For a more winding ascent, you can take Frontside to Little Rattler and then have a shorter hike up Spiral Drive. Once you're done enjoying the spectacular view from the summit, you can either descend the same way you climbed, choose one of the other trails, such as Backside, or extend your hike by heading higher into the trail system via Little Rattler or Backside. The choice is yours.

S-Mountain is devoid of vegetation due to the pollution from the old smelter plant. You can still see the smokestack off in the distance.