Pole Canyon Trail

Pole Canyon Trail is a 6.6-mile clockwise loop from Pole Canyon Trailhead, climbing along Pole Creek to a mountain pass and returning by Timber Creek, Baker Creek and Grey Cliffs campgrounds. Expect meadow, mixed conifers and stream crossings, with a mostly gradual climb until the short, steeper push to the saddle. The route gains about 1,600 feet; allow 3 to 6 hours. The mapped loop is about 6.6 miles; allow closer to 6.8 if you take the longer campground-road loops.

Start clockwise. Cross Baker Creek and keep right at the first fork to stay on the loop. The left branch heads toward Kious Basin. For roughly 2.5 miles after that junction, the trail follows Pole Creek and gains height steadily but gently. It then turns sharply toward the saddle; this is the steepest part of the hike. The clockwise direction puts the climb in the first half and saves the descent for the return.

The pass is the high point and the best view on the route: Wheeler Peak sits framed beyond the saddle, with Baker Peak and Snake Valley also part of the wider scene. Take a minute here before dropping toward Timber Creek. For a photo, keep the saddle in the frame around Wheeler Peak so the view reads as a pass rather than a distant peak by itself.

After the pass, descend to the Timber Creek junction and keep right toward Baker Creek Trailhead. From there, connector paths and campground roads lead through Baker Creek and Grey Cliffs before the final stretch on Pole Canyon Road. There is no continuous trail through either campground. Near the end, watch for the sharp right turn off Pole Canyon Road back to the trailhead; if you miss it, the road still reaches the same access but skips that last loop segment.

If you want to skip the campground roads, turning back at the saddle makes an out-and-back of about 6.4 miles, only a little shorter than the loop. A real shorter option is to turn around about 2.6 miles in, before the steeper pass climb, for roughly 5.2 miles round trip. You miss the best view, but avoid the sharpest ascent.

Parking at Pole Canyon Trailhead is limited; use designated spaces and do not park along the road. A vault toilet and hiker register are at the trailhead. There is no potable water along Baker Creek Road or the trail. Dogs are prohibited on park trails, except trained service animals. The route is listed as year-round, but winter snow can require a short snowshoe approach from the Baker Creek pit toilet. Rocky terrain makes this hike inaccessible for wheelchair users.