S-Mountain via Backside

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 run 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.

While the longtime classic run up S-Mountain follows the Frontside Trail, for a mostly running-only route, you can follow the newly-designated Backside Trail up the mountain.

To begin, depart the F-Street Bridge Trailhead by crossing the train tracks, picking up the bottom of Rise-n-Shine to access Lower Sand Dunes. Run up Lower Sand Dunes a short ways before eventually taking a left onto the new Backside trail.

Backside follows an old social trail route, but it was rebuilt specifically for hikers. The lack of mountain bikers on this pedestrian-only trail is a breath of fresh air in the heavily used Arkansas Hills trail system. The newly rebuilt trail features numerous stone steps and a unique stone staircase, making for a fun and entertaining uphill climb. At the top, take a quick left, and then head up Spiral Drive to reach the top of S-Mountain.

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 Frontside, or extend your run 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.