Blair Mountain ROAD & Trails

Blair Mountain is the highest point of the western Flat Tops with an elevation of 11,400 feet. A hike to the top gives amazing views of the entire Flat Tops.

The terrain consists of a high plateau covered in alpine grasslands with occasional stands of spruce or fir.  The west side of Blair Mountain is a 400 foot-high cliff that marks the boundary of the Flat Tops Wilderness Area.  Below the rim hikers and anglers can access a series of lakes that lie just inside the wilderness area.

Directions

A 4 wheel drive, high clearance vehicle and a full day is required to truly enjoy this journey. Blair Mountain is located about 16 miles north of New Castle. From New Castle, follow signs to the Buford-Newcastle Road (FS 245). Take this for many miles to Hiner Spring, and turn right (east) onto Blair Mountain Road (FS 601; 4WD). At Cow Lake, bear left on a 4WD road that leads to Crater Lake Trailhead. From here, the Blair Mountain Trail (2098) crosses flat grasslands to the Flat Tops Wilderness boundary before plunging over the rim of Blair Mountain down to Crater Lake. Another great day hike in this area is the Patterson Creek Trail