Calamity and Sentinel Falls Trail

This is the short out-and-back on West Fork Trail #1 to Calamity and Sentinel Falls. Plan on about 4.5 miles round trip, roughly 500 feet of gain and around 2.5 hours with the waterfall turns. The mapped main tread runs about 2.2 miles to the Sentinel approach; the Forest Service lists 1.8 miles, and other estimates range from 3.6 miles to under five for the outing. The mapped line is longer, so I’d budget for the 4.5-mile figure. Turn around at Sentinel; continuing toward Quinnebaugh Meadows and Sundance Pass becomes a much bigger hike.

The trail leaves from the north side of the trailhead lot and reaches Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness after about a quarter mile. The first mile or mile and a half crosses the 2008 Cascade fire burn, so expect an open, sunny start over ground and rocks with little shade. After that, the route follows the West Fork of Rock Creek through the valley. The tread is described as well maintained, but the early burn is a real tradeoff on a warm day.

Calamity Falls comes first. Its turn is unsigned, and the short side path—about a hundred yards—gets you a better look into the gorge. Water funnels through the rocks and breaks into rapids below. Return to the main trail and continue to Sentinel Falls, where the tread approaches the water. A faint spur just before the trail climbs leads toward the base; it is rougher and easy to miss, so it’s optional. You can also continue on the main path beyond Sentinel, but that is no longer the short waterfall outing.

Follow West Fork Road (Forest Route 71) to its end at West Fork Rock Creek Trailhead. Forest Service directions total 12.8 road miles from US 212, with the final 5.5 miles on dirt. There’s a vault toilet at the trailhead. No drinking water, food service or parking-capacity details were found.

The Forest Service identifies the area as bear country and recommends keeping bear spray quickly accessible. Keep pets under control and pack out their waste. The trail enters wilderness early; no day-use fee or permit requirement was listed in the route sources.