The only surface access to the base area of the mountain is through Dayton, to the northwest and nearly below on North Touchet Road. Though the summit is only about twenty miles (30 km) due east of Walla Walla as the crow flies, Ski Bluewood is about an hour's drive as Dayton is northeast on U.S. Route 12. In addition to Walla Walla, Bluewood is the closest alpine ski area (in mileage) to the Tri-Cities to the west, and the closest chairlift-served area to Lewiston-Clarkston.