Rockface Mountain stands at the southeast end of Paul Lake facing east toward Pinantan Lake.   The hike to the top of the mountain is a short one, though steep.   A high clearance vehicle can go right to the trailhead, but we started back on the Pinantan – Harper Road to add some more distance.    Our 13 km return hike followed backroads toward the east-facing bluffs of Rockface Mountain.

A sideroad winds up into a bowl between Harper Mountain and Rockface, then a quad track bears off northeast turning to northeast to the single track which climbs to a pass between the east and west summits of Rockface.   A short flagged trail follows the ridge west to the top of the bluffs, a good stop for lunch.   Views extend northeast, east, and southeast over the forested areas near Pinantan.

With a bit of off-trail work, Paul Lake can be spotted below and Tod Mountain can be seen to the north.

Our route followed the same route back, but then veered off onto a different sideroad to get us to Rockface Cave.  The cave has a large opening, but does not go back very far.   It is a bit of a tricky scramble to get up into the cave, but with care it can be done.

We followed the backroads back to our vehicles.   The roads were muddy this late October day.   We had hiked Rockface before so we knew how to navigate the backroads and unsigned trailheads.

• Rockface Mountain
• Rockface Cave

Driving Directions:

• Follow the Paul Lake Road to Pinantan and turn right onto the Pinantan – Harper Ranch Road (go past the store)
• Follow the road to the southwest corner and turn onto the Pinantan – Harper Road
• At 0.4 km the road splits (@N50 43.428 N120 02.336).   Right goes down the Hale-Vinnie Road; left heads up into the hills, the way to Rockface.
• Follow the backroad for another 1.6km ignoring minor sideroads
• At a fenced junction, turn right, crossing a cattle guard (@N50 43.071   W120 03.401)
• Follow this road for 3.2 km, ignoring minor sideroads
• At a 3 way junction (@N50 43.355 W120 05.110) take the middle fork up into the higher basin
• At 0.7 km after the junction, watch for a quad track on your right; park
• Follow the quad track for 50m, then take the left track which turns into the trail.
• To get to the cave, return back down the road to the 3 way junction and take the north fork this time.
• Follow the road for 0.7 km to a clearing (@N50 43.635 W120.04.983).   Follow the trail up the shale slope to the cave which is found at the foot of the bluffs.
• Return by the same route.