Fall River County Highpoint Trip Report

Parker Pk (4,848 ft)

Date: August 1, 2004
Author: Bob Martin

Parker Peak is on national forest land. The shortest routes are from the highway through private land. The route we used is longer and more costly but is all on public access.

From Hot Springs, drive west on US18 about ten miles to Minnekahta. Just beyond, look for the place where the highway turns right and crosses the old railroad grade. Pull into a parking area on the railroad grade on the south side of the road. This is a trailhead for the George S. Mickelson Trail, which extends over 100 miles on a rails-to-trails project.

Pay $2 per person per day for use of the trail (children under 12 free). Hike south on the trail just short of 2 miles to where the trail starts bending to the right. As you can see by the topo map, here is where the northwest corner of the national forest boundary extends onto the RR right of way. This point is well defined by fence lines. A good route from here is to hike east on the south side of the fence, bear right and climb steeply to the ridge, and follow vehicle tracks to the summit.