Pole Mountain via HQ Trail Hike

From the trailhead, the path starts out at a gentle uphill grade and passes a spring. From there the trail leads uphill and takes a switchback through lodgepole pine towards an open ridge, crossing a rail fence via a metal gate, whereupon the trail splits and you can continue west via Browns Landing, or on the Headquarters Trail, which both meet up again a couple of miles west. Also from the ridge, you can bushwhack to the south and pick up the Crawford Point Trail which leads along the spine of the Sherman Mts to the south.

The Headquarters Trail leads back into lodgepole pine and Douglas fir, heading downhill, until it hits the Summit Loop, an independent loop that intersects the HQ Trail and Browns Landing Trail.  We'll either follow the Browns Landing Trail or continue on the Headquarters Trail.  This trail continues for 0.4 miles to a junction of the Summit Loop with the Browns Landing Trail.   We'll then circle back around and follow the trails back the way we came.