Trail 028 Continental Creek

The trailhead for this trail is on US Forest Service Road 1013 near its western closure point - twenty-eight miles north of Granite Pass. According to the Forest Service Map for the Priest Lake Ranger District, the trail runs from Road 1013 to the American Falls (see note at bottom, right of page).

This trail runs very close to the Canadian border; in fact, the American Falls is only about a 1/2 mile from the border. To reach the trailhead, take Highway 57 north out of Priest River until it becomes US Forest Service Road 302. Continue on Road 302 to Granite Pass. Take Road 1013 out of Granite Pass to the Continental Creek Trailhead. The actual trailhead marker is not visible from Road 1013; however, there is a marker at the roadside near the trailhead that cautions anglers that they are now in Bull Trout country. The road is closed shortly beyond the Bull Trout marker. The trailhead is at 4240 feet. From the trailhead, the trail descends 800 feet in 1.5 miles to the Upper Priest River valley. You know you have arrived in the valley when you come to the marker at the intersection of Trail 28 and Trail 308. Continuing along Trail 28 for another mile will bring you to the Upper Priest River Falls which is commonly referred to as the American Falls. About half way between the intersection with Trial 308 and the Falls, there is large Primitive Campsite area. Additional primitive campsites can be found on the trial near the base of the Falls.

Trail Marker at Intersection of Trail 28 with the Upper Priest River Trail (#308)

Bridge over Continental Creek near the Large Primitive Campsite on the Trail

The American Falls

Note: If you look on the USGS Quadrangle for Continental Mountain, you will see that Trail 28 is marked as going from Road 1013 to Trail 308, the Upper Priest River Trail, and that Trail 308 is marked as going from Road 1013 all the way to the American Falls.

Upper Priest River near the Large Primitive Campsite on the Trail