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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hikers hit the trail on area tours sponsored by conservation groups


A group of hikers takes a break on top of 7,009-foot-high Scotchman Peak. 
 (Photo Courtesy of PHIL HOUGH / The Spokesman-Review)
Rich Landers Outdoors editor

An ambitious guided hiking program launched this spring by several different conservation organizations has been a big success, with hikers taking advantage of the opportunity to follow local experts into new destinations in the Scotchman Peaks area northeast of Sandpoint and the Kettle River Range near Republic.

Conservation Northwest, the Spokane Mountaineers and the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness (FSPW) have separately scheduled organized trips that have been introducing hikers to areas for which the groups are seeking wilderness protection.

The Conservation Northwest and Spokane Mountaineers hikes, as well as a few by The Lands Council and Sierra Club, are in the Colville National Forest while the FSPW hikes are in the Panhandle and Kootenai national forests region straddling the Idaho-Montana border between Sandpoint and Libby.

Some of the hikes are challenging climbs into the high country, while others are more moderate walks through scenic places.

Following is the schedule for the second half of the organized hiking schedule. Trips are limited in size. Contact leaders to preregister.

Colville Forest

Aug. 5: Hoodoo Canyon and Emerald Lake, a moderate six-mile round-trip hike in relatively low elevations from Trout Lake west of Kettle Falls. Contact: Dinah Reed (509) 456-2226 or Chris Baldini (509) 927-9356.

Aug. 19: Hall Mountain via Noisy Creek, a moderately difficult route up from Sullivan Lake to a former fire lookout site and the haunt of mule deer and bighorn sheep. Contact: Holly Weiler (509) 921-8928.

Aug. 26: Kettle Crest Trail North (Taylor Ridge), a moderate eight-mile round trip in the under-appreciated northern reaches of the Kettle Crest National Recreation Area just off of Boulder Pass. Contact: Crystal (509) 747-1663.

Sept. 24: Columbia Mountain Loop, a moderate seven-mile loop from Sherman Pass; one of the best hikes in the Kettle Range. Contact: Wendy or Chuck Huber (509) 939-3717.

Aug. 12: Thirteen Mile Creek Trail, a moderate 6-mile hike that follows a rushing creek and deep gorge to great vistas of old ponderosa pines and larch. Contact: Tania Ellersick (509) 838-4912.

Aug. 12-13: Abercrombie Mountain backpack, a difficult tour of the Abercrombie-Hooknose Roadless Area west of Metaline combining trails and rugged cross-country travel. Contact: Mark Steward (509) 270-6883.

Scotchman Peaks

July 29: Spar Peak to Mount Vernon Peak, a strenuous ridgeline traverse into mountain goat country with an overnight option. Contact: Cesar Hernandez (406) 883-5019 or e-mail mwanw@wildmontana.org.

July 30: Ross Creek Cedars, an easy hike perfect for families into old-growth forest. Contact: Carol Jenkins (208) 265-9204 or e-mail irvorcarol@imbris.net.

Aug. 4-5: Little Spar Lake, moderate dayhike or overnight northwest of Libby to one of the few lakes in the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. Contact: Jim Mellen (208) 265-5261 jmellen@imbris.net.

Aug. 5: Spar Peak, moderately difficult hike on steep trail to the summit northwest of Libby. Contact: Bill “Rockhound” Martin (406) 295-5258.

Aug. 12: Pillick Ridge in southwest part of Scotchman Peaks; hike length to be determined by group. Contact: Doug Ferrell (406) 827-4341 or e-mail mferrell_9874@yahoo.com.

Aug. 16: Blue Creek Falls, easy to moderate hike to a waterfall in the Scotchmans. Contact: Joyce Pence (208) 266-1107 or e-mail konjoy@webtv.net.

Aug. 19: East Fork Thunder Creek, a moderate hike through cedars into remote basin and bull trout habitat. Contact: Lexie de Fremery, (208) 265-9421 or e-mail lexie@nidaho.net.

Aug 20: Clayton Peak, strenuous hike on alder-choked route only an elk or true wilderness fanatic could love. Contact: Sandy Compton (406) 847-2396 or e-mail scenic.route@sandy compton.com

Aug 23: Ross Creek Cedars, easy outing suitable for families to learn more about these ancient trees. Contact: Carol Jenkins (208) 265-9204 or e-mail irvorcarol@imbris.net.

Aug. 26: Star Gulch, a strenuous alternate route to the top of Star Peak. Contact: Doug Ferrell (406) 827-4341 or e-mail mferrell_9874@yahoo.com.

Aug. 27: Scotchman Peak, a strenuous uphill and downhill seven-mile round trip to the 7,009-foot summit just north of Lake Pend Oreille. Contact: Susan Drumheller (208) 265-9565 or e-mail sdrumheller@wildidaho.org.

Sept. 7: Antelope Mountain, a moderate evening hike to watch the full moon rise and cast its light upon Scotchman Peak. Contact: Joyce Pence (208) 266-1107 or e-mail konjoy@webtv.net.

Sept. 10: East Fork Thunder Creek, a moderate hike through cedars into remote basin and bull trout habitat. Contact: Carol Jenkins (208) 265-9204 or e-mail irvorcarol@imbris.net.

Sept. 16: Scotchman Peak at a slow pace with lots of breaks to help ease the pain in the seven-mile round trip with more than 3,000 feet of elevation gain, and loss. Contact: Jan Griffitts, (208) 265-4380 or e-mail jan@looptravel.com.

Sept. 22-24: Savage Mountain Adventure, a very strenuous three-day backpack starting near Spar Lake visiting several untrailed basins. Experienced backpackers only. Contact: Cesar Hernandez (406) 883-5019 or e-mail mwanw@wildmontana.org.

Sept. 23: Goat Peak, strenuous hike up steep trail rewarding strong hikers with stunning views. Contact: Susan Drumheller (208) 265-9565 or e-mail sdrumheller@wildidaho.org.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1: Compton Crags fall tour, difficult four-day backpack from Little Spar Lake to Blue Creek along spine of Scotchmans. For small group of experienced hikers comfortable with boulder hopping and bushwhacking. Contact: Sandy Compton (406) 847-2396 or e-mail scenic.route@sandy compton.com.