We hiked from the “end” of the North Fork Asotin Creek Trail off of Forest Road 163. This starting point is at the intersection of this trail and the Pinkum Butte Trail, according to the current Forest map.
From the intersection on the map, we hiked due south down into the creek bed. The first 1/2 mile was quite challenging, including a 43% grade straight down on a loose trail bed.
We discovered a junction at about 3/4 of a mile that we learned from some hunters that we encountered on the hike is a better trail back up to Forest Road 163.
We continued East towards the intersection of the trail with the Pinkum Butte Trail. The Pinkum Butte Trail has been recently cleared and re-routed.
The Pinkum trail was easy to follow and was an easier way to get out of the floor of the canyon.
Along the North Fork Asotin Creek Trail, there was quite a bit of bear scar and evidence of bears. While we did not see any, we did encounter two bear hunters who were actively hunting this area and reported to us that they had seen two bears.
It was an enjoyable hike, short of the first half mile.
Thankfully we ended up hiking it as a loop hike and didn’t have to go up the same way we came down.
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