This is a very nice hike (3.3 Miles, 2,900 ft.)
Drive west from Augusta towards Nilan Reservoir and Benchmark. Continue for 14-miles, turning right (Northerly) on the Willow Creek road towards Gibson Reservoir. Continue another 1.2 miles and turn left immediately after passing Scoutana – an old Girl Scout Camp. The turn is also signed as “USFS Administrative Site”. Follow this road and park where it is blocked by a gate.
The trail begins at the gate and crosses Willow Creek in short order. It is generally possible to hop across the creek, except during spring runoff when it may be necessary to wade. Follow the trail into the incised limestone canyon of Willow Creek. Continue following the trail westward past the two waterfalls until the canyon opens into a broad pleasant valley. Turn right (north) immediately after entering the broad valley head upwards following the gully with the small flowing stream. Continue up the gully and turn right (east) to climb Fairview Mountain before reaching the saddle at the head of the gully. The hike to the summit is a pleasant grade through open timber.
This is one of the higher summits west of Augusta, and offers scenic views deep into the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the plains to the east.
