Pack River Paddle Tour (U.S. 95 To Rapid Lightning Creek)

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Distance: 12-1/2 miles

Difficulty: Mostly easy

Paddling time: 4 - 6 hours

Season: April through October

Maps: USGS Colburn, Elmira, Oden Bay plus Kaniksu National Forest map available from Sandpoint Ranger Statioin

Info: Pack River General Store, (208) 263-2409

PADDLING TRIP NOTES

Access: To put-in: From junction with State Highway 200 north of Sandpoint, drive north on U.S. 2/95 for 9-7/8 miles to put-in on east side of highway just north of bridge (milepost 485.8).

To take-out: Backtrack south on Highway 95 just over 2 miles. Turn east on Colburn-Culver Road (milepost 483.7) and drive 6 miles (east then south) to school. Turn left (east) onto Rapid Lightning Creek Road. Drive 1-1/2 miles to take-out on east side of Pack River bridge next to fire station. Do not block fire station driveway!

Attractions: This lazy, windy flatwater tour through forested meadows can be negotiated by paddlers with modest skills in high or low water. Although surrounding land is mostly private, sand and gravel bars offer options for stopping, swimming or picnicking below high water mark. Good chance of seeing wildlife, including beaver, bald eagles, osprey, moose, deer, wood ducks and spotted sandpipers bobbing their tails along shoreline.

Hazards: Sharp turns. Blowdown trees and log jams possible. Some cow pies on shore.

Comments: Once under railroad trestle from put-in, paddlers enter wildest stretch of trip. In first 2 miles, river bends around 2,455-foot forested knob. Cedars lean over river. Conifer forest gradually gives way to cottonwood bottoms under attack by beavers. Cabins and homes crop up increasingly along river, but detract little from experience.

Float 3-2/3 miles to Colburn-Culver Road bridge. No easy or legal access here, but could be used in emergency.

After long straight stretch downstream from Colburn-Culver Road bridge, river meanders become very tight. Paddle past house; then 10 minutes later, you paddle past other side of same house.

Optional access at river left on downstream side of second Colburn-Culver Road bridge, 9-3/4 miles from start.

Lazy nature of stream can lull paddlers. Always watch ahead for log jams or obstructions. USGS gauging stations haven’t been monitored since 1992.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Map: Pack river paddle tour (U.S. 95 to Rapid Lightning Creek)

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN - Routes: Classic Trips in the Inland Northwest