Find Nearby Peaks

This peak is not in the book. I ascended the peak in 2016. Ryan Byers added the Northwest Ridge via Buckskin Trailhead (BLM 352) route based on his 2024 ascent. Livingston Douglas added the West Face via BLM Road #301 route based on his 2018 ascent. Updated December 2024

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This peak is the highest point in the Pocatello Range which is a subrange of the Portneuf Range. The peak is a fire lookout site and a road leads to the top. The peak was known for years as Chinks Peak. Lately, in response to the political-correctness movement, efforts were made to change the name to Chinese Peak. Both names are still in use. USGS Inkom

Access

A road leads up the peak’s west slopes to the summit from south Pocatello. Thus, this is a perfect peak for a steep mountain bike ascent (Class 1). To reach the peak, find the intersection of 4th Avenue and Barton Road on the south side of Pocatello. Turn onto Barton Road and follow it for 4.7 miles to the summit.

There are several other ways to reach the summit including a 4WD road up from Rock Canyon to the south and several ridge walks. Use this link to see a BLM map of the trail system: BLM Chinese Peak Blackrock Canyon Trail System.

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2024 Update: Northwest Ridge by Ryan Byers

A more traditional hike to the top of Chinese Peak, BLM 352 challenges hikers with a very steep hill midway through the route. Once atop the mountain’s northwest ridge, the path levels out and presents a beautiful view of the peak, making this arguably the most scenic way to summit the mountain. 7.4 miles out-and-back with 2,000 feet of elevation gain.

Northwest Ridge via Buckskin Trailhead (BLM 352), Class 1

From the trailhead, head northeast on the 4×4 path. For the next 1.2 miles, the trail climbs about 550 feet up a gradual incline through a dry hillside. This section occasionally has large ruts, though they are usually easy to navigate. At 1.2 miles, the trail comes to the top of a small hill. At this point, a few unofficial trails emerge from the trail’s left (north) side. Continue past them on the well-used path to the east/southeast down through the junipers.

At 1.4 miles, the trail reaches the top of another small hill, where you will have an excellent view of the upcoming steep hillside to the southeast. For those looking for a casual hike, this is a fine spot to turn around; otherwise, continue toward the steep climb, which gains over 550 feet in about 0.4 miles. After this grueling climb, you will reach the top of the incline at 2.0 miles. Be sure to check out the excellent vista behind you!

While the most strenuous climb of the hike is done, there is one last hill to ascend before reaching the ridge walk. This next hill climbs about 200 feet in 0.2 miles on a rocky path, so be prepared for another tough climb. At 2.3 miles, you will come to the top of the incline, where you will have many views of Chinese Peak’s northwest ridge and the upcoming ridge walk. At 2.5 miles, keep right (south) to avoid an unofficial trail. At 2.8 miles, you will come to a fork. Either option works, though I recommend the left (southeast) path.

At 3.0 miles, the trail increases in steepness, gaining about 250 feet in a quarter of a mile. At 3.1 miles, continue straight (south), avoiding an unofficial trail on the path’s right (west) side. At 3.4 miles, keep right (southwest) at the fork. (If you go left, you eventually reach the mountain’s summit on a steep, rocky trail. You would also pass by BLM T355, which heads east and connects to Blackrock Canyon.)
BLM 352 ends when it connects to BLM 301. Turn left (northeast) onto BLM 301, which, after a quarter mile, reaches the top of Chinese Peak.

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2018 Update: West Face by Livingston Douglas

Here is some more specific detail on how to access Chinese Peak, where to park, and how long a hike it is to the top.

West Face via BLM Road #301, Class 1

Access

From Exit 67 on I-15, drive northwest on 5th Avenue to just past where the road is divided into a one-way configuration with 5th Avenue northbound and 4th Avenue southbound. Turn right/northeast onto Barton Road. Drive 1.8 miles up Barton Road to the BLM gate and a large trailhead parking area. Park here. The elevation is 5,055 feet.

The Climb

Hike 2.7 miles up BLM Road #301 (a smooth dirt road) to the summit area. Higher up, the road does a number of steep switchbacks. There are several large antenna facilities on top. The high point is at the base of one of these massive antennas. There is no restroom or snack bar on the summit. Sorry.

The terrain on the west face and summit area is completely open, not a tree in sight. Just a whole lot of desert scrub. From both high up on the road and on the summit, you have a splendid view of the city of Pocatello, particularly the south end of the city. You can even hear the incessant traffic barreling along I-15 on the lower reaches of the road. This is a road hike that is entirely on BLM land. Just try to avoid doing this hike on a windy day because it is quite exposed to western and southern winds.

Both the Pocatello Visitor Center (located at the merger of 5th Avenue and 4th Avenue near Exit 67) and the Pocatelllo BLM/NFS office (located just off 5th Avenue on the southeast side of I-15) offer a free map of the Chinese Peak-Blackrock Trail System. It’s worth picking up if you wish to explore other hiking/biking routes on Chinese Peak. The free map is also available online in a PDF format.