Split Mountain Climbing

While on a map, Split Mountain does not seem far from the 395, do not treat this lightly. 4x4 and high clearance is REQUIRED to get out to the Red Lakes trailhead, the road is hardly maintained and can get washed out easily. Even in a modern Tacoma I had a wheel in the air once or twice.

See Porcella/Burns for driving directions to the Red Mountain Creek trailhead from Big Pine and the 395. Do not follow your maps directions through Tinemaha Creek, this goes through CLOSED private land. To get there, go by taking Glacier Lodge Road to Mc Murray Meadows Road. Take this road all the way south until you hit a T in the road. Do not go west towards the mountains but turn left (east) where the road marker points. Take this road down and eventually cross the creek. From there you'll be on the other side of the ranch. Turn right and go a few more miles until you reach the trailhead. 

WARNING: the last mile before the trailhead regularly has running water eroding part of it, if you get a tire too close to this, your vehicle WILL SINK IN and can easily get stuck. Be prepared with a map (physical or digital) of all the roads in the area as well equipment that may be needed to pull out yours or someone elses vehicle. Should you get stuck, it could be a long time before rescue as tow services will not go out there at night and this trail is not as popular as many others.

The trail DOES NOT start in Red Mountain Creek, but rather about 1/8th of a mile to the north. From the trailhead follow the path as it winds and switchbacks up the hill until the trail turns sharply to the west. At this point you're  a few hundred feet above Red Mountain Creek. Continue on the trail, which is kind of crappy all the way back to Red Lake and the base of Split Mountain.