S-Mountain via Frontside

Dogs Leashed

Features Historical Significance · Views

S-Mountain, rising high above downtown Salida, receives its name from the white concrete "S" that graces the upper slopes of the hillside. While this hill might technically be named "Tenderfoot Mountain," any local you talk to will refer to it as S-Mountain, or sometimes simple "S". On the mountain's summit is a small cement lookout building that provides fantastic views of the town of Salida and the surrounding mountain ranges. The hike to the top is a quintessential outing from downtown, and thanks to the wide array of fantastic trails in the Arkansas Hills trail system, you have several options to choose from to reach the top.

The classic hike up S-Mountain follows the Frontside Trail. Beginning the hike from the F-Street Bridge trailhead, head across the train tracks to pick up Frontside, turning left to head up the mountain.

After switchbacking a few times and winding across the face of the mountain, the most direct route to the summit turns right to climb the Burn Pile Trail and then turns right again on Spiral Drive to finish the ascent. For a more winding ascent, you can take Frontside to Little Rattler and then have a shorter hike up Spiral Drive.

Once you're done enjoying the spectacular view from the summit, you can either descend the same way you climbed, choose one of the other trails, such as Backside, or extend your hike by heading higher into the trail system via Little Rattler or Backside. The choice is yours.

S-Mountain is devoid of vegetation due to the pollution from the old smelter plant. You can still see the smokestack off in the distance.