TRAILS -- The steep, eroded gouge in the earth is history and a new rerouted section of Trail 65 is ushering hikers to the top of Scotchman Peak, a popular North Idaho day trip destination near Clark Fork.

In celebration of National Public Lands Day, the Sandpoint Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests partnered with the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness and the National Forest Foundation to complete the final stretch of the Scotchman Peak Trail last week. 

Volunteers spent two days cutting back brush and digging a new section of trail to reduce the grade. The work party of 29 volunteers, included eight students from Sandpoint High School.

“The Scotchman Peak Trail 65 re-route makes the beginning of the hike more welcoming, provides more views early on and gives some relief to the knees and legs on the return," said Phil Hough, Friends of Scotchman Peaks executive director.

The trail was officially re-opened for hikers on Sept, 24, and hikers were immediately expressing their gratitude, shouting out “thank you” to the volunteers as they navigated the improved route.