Near The Hyalite Crusher
Trail on the way up to Blackmore - lots of flowers in spring/summer!
Near The Hyalite Crusher
Hyalite Peak on a smoky day.
Near The Hyalite Crusher
The trail winds its way up the hill.
Near The Hyalite Crusher
As you get closer to the top, the trees get larger and older.
Near The Hyalite Crusher
Another view to the south - rugged section of mountains!

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

The Hyalite Crusher

4.0 (2 Ratings)
A great loop for the those who move fast in the back country.
18.5
mi
Distance
5,294
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
LakeRiver/CreekViewsWildflowers

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
18.46mi
Distance
5,294ft
Elevation Gain
5,296ft
Elevation Loss
60%
Max Grade
10,153ft
High Point
6,494ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
Heading from the parking lot you soon pass the Westshore Trail. Continue through thick forest and pass the Black Crescent Trail. At about a mile you begin to switchback up the hill before you begin to cut across its face. When you reach two miles you pass the Blackmore Lake. Once you enter the drainage the trail gets steeper as passes through powerful switch-backs before finally entering an alpine field at 4.5 miles. Pass the South Cottonwood trail to the left and follow the ridge to the summit of Mount Blackmore. After tagging the summit, head back to South Cottonwood Trail #422. The first mile or so is steep downhill through open ground with big vistas.From here you enter the forest and soon close in on South Cottonwood Creek. Dip in and out of meadows and forest for the next two miles when you meet South Cottonwood Creek Trail and Storm Castle Ridge Trail #417. Turn right and head down stream.This is some of the easiest part of the route as the next three miles gently head down hill for the next few miles. Turn right on the History Rock Trail where you'll follow Fox Creek uphill. After two miles you enter an alpine meadow with huge vistas. After leaving the meadow you head along an old fire road and begin the long downhill. Curve along the side of a mountain before entering another meadow and heading down steep terrain. Once you make it down to some wetlands you have another 1.5 miles before you pop out at the parking lot. Head up the road to meet back at you car.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Russell Hobart