Abercrombie Mountain stands amid the mountains just shy of the Canadian border in northeast Washington. A popular trail to the summit switchbacks through dense forest and ascends through fields of wildflowers punctuated by silver snags. The mountain’s trail, natural beauty, and high elevation make it an appealing destination for hikers and mountain bikers, and its namesake’s history creates an intriguing web of connection with other Northwest landmarks.

William Abercrombie, for whom the mountain is named, was raised in New York. In 1877, at the age of 19, he joined the Army and was assigned to Fort Colville, located near the present town of Colville, Wash. While there, he surveyed and mapped swaths of wildlands surrounding the Pend Oreille River, Priest River, Columbia River, Montana, and north to the 49th parallel—including the Abercrombie Mountain area.

Abercrombie’s experience exploring the Inland Northwest made him a strong candidate for more distant expeditions. So, in 1884, as Lieutenant Colonel, Abercrombie began leading missions to Alaska. He explored the massive Copper River three times, crossed the rugged Valdez Glacier, and established order in the chaotic gold rush-tent-city of Valdez.

One of his most notable Alaska projects was to locate, engineer, and construct an overland route to the interior gold fields through the Chugach Range. Today, this route is known as the Richardson Highway. In Alaska, there is an Abercrombie Peak, an Abercrombie Creek, and an Abercrombie State Park—all named for him.

Abercrombie returned intermittently to eastern Washington while serving in Alaska and eventually was promoted to Commander of Spokane’s Fort George Wright, which still stands today on the grounds of Spokane Falls Community College. Towering ponderosa pines rise along the grassy parade grounds, and pristine red brick buildings line the lanes. The Fort’s construction began in 1898, well after the so-called “Indian Wars,” but the namesake—George Wright—has become a modern-day symbol of the atrocities committed by the U.S. military against indigenous people. As a matter of fact, in the spring of 2021, Wright’s name was removed from the bordering roadway.

In 1910, Abercrombie retired and moved from the stately Post Commander’s House to a mansion on Spokane’s South Hill. His retirement house still stands today on a quiet street in the Cannon Addition, a plaque identifying it as the “Abercrombie House.” The home is grand with west-facing windows and a green lawn and landscaping. The original basalt rockwork of the foundation is still visible.

Each place that today bears Abercrombie’s name, in Alaska and in Washington, is beautiful and interesting in its own right. And the Abercrombie connection allows visitors to see some of the ways in which the region’s geography, geology, and history are drawn together.

Matt Kinney and Tabitha Gregory live in Spokane where they explore the Inland Northwest’s trails by foot, bike, and ski. Matt is author of “Alaska Backcountry Skiing: Valdez and Thompson Pass” and Tabitha is former director of the Valdez Museum and author of “Valdez Rises: One Town’s Struggle for Survival After the Great Alaska Earthquake.”

For more Flashback stories about places, people, and recreation in the Northwest, visit the OTO archives.

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Sometimes a reasonable day hike is enough. Sometimes you need to push your mind and body to see how far you can go. The following recommendations are for hikers and trail runners who want to cover some serious distance in a single-day push.  

Okanogan Highlands—Kettle Crest Trail 

Trail Distance: 30 miles one way 

The Kettle Crest Trail is a National Recreation Trail and segment of the newest long-distance National Scenic Trail, the Pacific Northwest Trail. Experience its beauty as it skirts 10 named peaks and goes directly over the summit of an 11th, Copper Butte. To do this traverse as one long push, start by dropping off a shuttle vehicle at the northern terminus, Deer Creek/Boulder Summit, then drive around to Highway 20 to start at Sherman Pass. The trail heads north while contouring around the summits along the way, offering views of both the Selkirk Mountain Range to the east and the Cascade Range to the west. Time this traverse to finish at sunset for spectacular views of a post-fire landscape as the route concludes through the Stickpin burn of 2015. (HW) 

Okanogan Highlands—Mini Kettle Crest 

Trail Distance: 8 miles roundtrip  

To try this traverse as a shorter option without a long shuttle required, start at Sherman Pass and take the Kettle Crest Trail north as far as the Columbia Mountain Loop. A spur trail leading northeast to the summit intersects the main Kettle Crest Trail at the 2.4-mile mark. This trail circles the mountain for great views in all directions, with a secondary spur trail leading directly to the summit where a restored historic fire lookout cabin awaits visitors. Return to the Kettle Crest via the same spur trail, and then retrace the route south back to Sherman Pass for an 8-mile version of the Kettle Crest North traverse. (HW) 

Selkirk Mountains—Long Canyon Creek Trail 16 

Trail Distance: Choose your own adventure length 

This (mostly) gentle, sloping trail works its way up the aptly named Long Canyon until it connects to Pyramid Mountain Trail No 7 at around 12 miles. The canyon offers shelter from warm temperatures thanks to the beautiful hemlock and cedar forest, as well as several mild and refreshing creek crossings. This is an out-and-back trail that allows for turning around anytime, but it can also be turned into a loop at its junction with Parker Ridge and Pyramid Mountain trails. This makes for a brutal 30+ mile day, but the views once out of the canyon are worth it. The trail is accessed via Copeland Road north of Bonners Ferry and is perfect for a long run in the woods without a summit. (AM) 

Cabinet Mountains—Rock Lake Trail 935 

Trail Distance: 8 miles roundtrip 

This adventure near Trout Creek, Mont., begins with a spicy creek crossing right out of the gate (bring extra shoes and tie them to a tree for the return crossing). The trail follows an old mining road for the first three miles, leading happy runners through beautiful meadows before reaching the Heidelberg Mine site—a perfect history break—and then climbing up to some beautiful falls before reaching the lake. For much of the run, one is surrounded by views of tempting peaks. Jump in the lake with the fish before heading back down for a pleasant descent (and oh, right, that last creek crossing). This trail is also the means of accessing several of the Cabinet Wilderness Area’s peaks, including the off-trail adventures of Ojibway and Rock Peak. (AM)

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Revett Lake Trail #9

Recommended by hiker and angler Heather Hodson

Location: Bitterroot Mountains in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest

Distance round-trip: 4 miles

Level of difficulty: Easy to intermediate (500 feet of elevation gain)

This popular, well-used trail is great for children, dogs, and novice hikers and backpackers. After hiking through a mix of forest and open talus, and a log-bridge crossing Cascade Creek, you arrive at this subalpine lake below Granite Peak (6,814 feet). Enjoy the Cascade Gulch waterfall, fishing, and camping at primitive sites. (Amy S. McCaffree)

Indian Creek Community Forest

Recommend by forest ecologist Adam Gebauer

Location: Indian Creek Community Forest, Kalispel Tribe, 9 miles north of Newport, Wash.

Distance round-trip: 1/2 mile

Level of difficulty: Easy

The Kalispel Tribe, along with local partners, are developing plans for the 400-acre Indian Creek Community Forest adjacent to the shores of the Pend Oreille River. Although not a super remote backcountry area, it is a great, wild place to explore for families and hikers of all abilities. This site is dedicated to education, research, and low impact recreation.

One of the first pieces of this project that is open to the public is a short trail system. This trail winds through mature mixed conifers with great views overlooking the Pend Oreille River. Interactive and interpretative signage will soon be installed that will include Salish names of plants and animals and information about forest ecology. There are plans for many educational activities at this site including recreational tree climbing, stargazing, nature skills, archery, and more.  (Adam Gebauer)

Stevens Lake

Recommended by backcountry hiker Kayla Haas

Location: Bitterroot Mountains near Mullan, Idaho

Distance round-trip: 4+ miles

Level of difficulty: Moderate to difficult depending on fitness level

Don’t be fooled by the relatively short mileage to Lower Stevens Lake; this hike gains 1,600 feet with an initial grade of 8 percent! After passing a waterfall, prepare for the final push across a boulder field to lower Stevens Lake.

After two miles of burning legs, many hikers don’t continue beyond lower Stevens. If you still have some gas in your tank, then keep heading up to upper Stevens; it’s worth it.

From the upper lake, enjoy solitude and stunning views of jagged peaks. If your legs and lungs are still feeling strong, then you can scramble up goat paths or cross-country and bag Stevens Peak, which is the highest peak in the western range of the Bitterroots. (Kayla Haas)

Blossom Lakes Trail (#404)

Recommended by hiker and angler Heather Hodson

Location: Lolo National Forest at the Idaho-Montana State Line

Distance round-trip: 6 miles (to lower Blossom Lake)

Level of difficulty: Intermediate to difficult (1,141 feet of elevation gain)

Beginning from the same trailhead as Revett Lake, the trail—which begins on the Idaho side of the state line—is bordered by occasional patches of huckleberry bushes. It begins easy but becomes more challenging as you hike from Idaho into Montana. You get to Prospect Creek and then arrive at lower Blossom Lake. There are primitive campsites on the northeast side. You can also hike further to visit Upper Blossom Lake and Pear Lake. (Amy S. McCaffree)

Kokanee Glacier Cabin

Recommended by backcountry hiker Kayla Haas

Location: Selkirk Mountains; Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, Nelson, British Columbia, Canada

Distance round-trip: Approximately 10.5 miles

Level of difficulty: Moderate

This trail meanders through an alpine wonderland. The trail gets the majority of the 1,300 feet of elevation gain and the only lackluster views out of the way within the first 1-2 miles. The trail and views begin to open up as you make your way across cascading waterfalls from the summer melt of Kokanee Glacier.

Take in 360-degree mountain views as you admire wildflowers and crystal clear streams in alpine meadows. Listen to songbirds as you rest on the edge of one of the many alpine lakes, but watch out for aggressive, food-conditioned marmots. Enjoy your lunch on the deck of the Kokanee Glacier Cabin located on the north side of Kaslo Lake.

This alpine “hut” is a multi-story cabin that sleeps 20 in the summer and is a popular winter destination for backcountry skiers. Live in backcountry luxury with a full kitchen, electricity, and flushing toilets. You can extend your stay by reserving a bunk in the cabin or pitching a tent in the nearby Kaslo Lake campground.

Also, like many Provincial Parks in Canada, dogs are not allowed. Even if you’re only hiking for the day, make sure to use the chicken wire available at the trailhead as the resident porcupines love to gnaw on brake lines. (Kayla Haas)

[Feature photo: On the rail to Kokanee Glacier Cabin. // Kayla Haas]

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