Retreat with a view
Do you want to escape the summer heat on a nice hike? If taken early in the morning, Penn Trail on Canfield Mountain offers cool temperatures and the bonus of a spectacular view of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Also known as Trail 8, the path begins just south of the Nettleton Gulch parking lot at the base of the west side of Canfield Mountain.
Our recent hike of Trail 8 started out muddy, even with the recent extreme high temperatures and lack of rain. Noticing the dripping wet black Lab and golden retriever dogs bounding down the trail, we waited a little longer than usual to exit our truck (even though our own dog was begging to begin the sniffing process with the other canines), giving the master an opportunity to take charge of the pups. The owner finally got within control distance, and eager to start our hike before the sun hit the mountain, we climbed out. Dusty, narrow and rutted, the trail is not ideal, but the winding trip up the mountain offers solitude and a close retreat from nearby city life.
Access: From I-90 and exit 14 (15th Street), go north on 15th Street 1.1 miles, then right (east) on Nettleton Gulch Road 2.2 miles to the Canfield Parking Lot. Trail 8 starts just across Nettleton Gulch Road, south of the parking area.
Length: Approximately 3 miles.
Elevation: The parking lot is about 2,360 feet above sea level, with an elevation increase of about 1,000 feet on the trail.
Use: Light early in the morning, then moderate to heavy.
Trail condition: Narrow in places. Deep ruts from motorcycles and erosion, with loose rocks.
Difficulty: Moderate with frequent steep grades. Since the trail is shared by mountain bikes and motorcycles, use extra caution.
Restrictions: Use of three- and four-wheel all-terrain vehicles is prohibited. A countywide leash law requires that dogs be kept on a leash or secured at all times. This helps protect your dog from running loose, chasing other animals, getting hit by cars and interfering with other hikers.
What to see: Wildlife, forests and a great view of Lake Coeur d’Alene.
Special features: Well-marked trails and signage. Find clues for Geocaches (a treasure hunt game) hidden in the area at www.geocaching.com.
A free trail guide is available at the U.S. Forest Service, 3815 Schreiber Way in Coeur d’Alene, (208) 765-7223, or on the Web site, www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/visit /brochures/cda/canfieldmtn_trails.pdf.