Events

West Cabinet Mountains, near Clark Fork

Leader: Susan Drumheller
Difficulty: Strenuous (8 miles round trip, 4,000 ft elevation gain/loss)
Limit: 12 hikers
Family Friendly? No

This well-marked trail climbs steeply to the highest mountain in Bonner County and offers stunning views of Lake Pend Oreille from the northeast. The craggy peak is home to mountain goats, so leave your pets at home.

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Hike Leader: David Simmons or Mike Medberry
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous, 4-8 miles round trip (depending on group)
Limit: 12 max.
Family friendly: Yes

Near McCall, the hike occurs in French Creek proposed wilderness where there is abundant wildlife. The hike will first climb to the Black Tip Mountain for a commanding view of French Creek drainage, and than continue either to French Creek drainage or to French Creek Lakes for some great fishing!

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Join us for a close to town hike in the foothills of the Pioneers. Hike through aspens and along an unnamed creek to a saddle with inspiring views of the Pioneer peaks. 5-6 miles, 1400’ elevation gain. Moderate.

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Leader: John McCarthy
Difficulty: Moderate, 8 miles
Limit: 10 max.
Family friendly: Children 10 and older with experience hiking.

North of McCall, the hike will begin from Boulder Meadows Reservoir parking area. The hike will ascend to Boulder Lake and increase in serenity with every step of the way towards Rapid Lake, which is within the Forest Service’s recommended wilderness for the Needles area.

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Lake Darling in the West Cabinets, north of Hope

Leader: Jacquie Frank
Difficulty: Moderate (5 miles round trip, 700 feet elevation gain/loss)
Limit: 8 hikers
Family Friendly? Yes

This easy hike is a gentle two miles and leads to Lake Darling, nestled in the West Cabinets. The trail was only recently designated non-motorized to prevent resource damage in this delicate, alpine region. Enjoy flowering bear grass, lupine and arnica along the way.

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Explore the Pioneer Mountain foothills as we climb from the East Fork of the Big Wood River to the Little Wood River side. Great views. 9 miles, 2200’ elevation gain. Strenuous.

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Leader: Ralph and Arleen Schaeffer
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (~1,850 ft elevation gain in ~4 miles)
Limit: 12 hikers
Family friendly: No

Outside of Atlanta, we will hike along Bear Creek thru thick forest and open meadows with blooming wildflowers! Lunch at the top! Approximately 8 miles round trip.

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Leader: Mike Medberry and Curt Mack
Difficulty: Difficult, 12 miles
Limit: 12 max
Family friendly: Yes, experienced young hikers.

North of McCall, the Secesh River is some of the best Salmon habitat in Idaho, and runs through Secesh proposed wilderness area and provides excellent wildlife habitat! Curt Mack, leader of Nez Pierce tribe wolf recovery program, will discuss wolf ecology and politics in Valley County. Hike will begin from Chinook campground and continue along the Secesh River to Ponderosa Campground.

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This is a beautiful trail through aspen stands from Kane Creek to Wildhorse Creek in the Pioneer Mountains with very few hikers. It’s open to motorcycles and the Forest Service is considering allowing ATVs. Car shuttle required. 8 miles, 1300’ elevation gain. Moderate.

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Join us on an excursion to the infrequently traveled southeastern end of the Pioneer Mountains for a hike in rolling terrain along sagebrush and grassland ridgelines. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Pioneer Mountain peaks, and interspersed aspen and Douglas fir forests. 6.5 miles, 1600’ elevation gain. Moderate.

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Roman Nose, Selkirk Mountains, between Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry

Leader: Veronica Larenas
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (2 to 4 miles round trip)
Limit: 12 hikers
Family Friendly? Yes

The roads are good to the trailhead and it’s just a short stroll to the first of three Roman Nose lakes, which makes this a popular spot in the Selkirks. But the lure is also the three lovely lakes, surrounding high country and close up views of the effects of the 1967 Sundance fire. While you can drive almost to the first lake, the middle lake is a mile hike, plus another mile to the third lake. A loop trail covers about four miles.

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Leader: Christina Smith
Difficulty: Very strenuous, for experienced hikers only. Elevation gain of 5,500 feet in 4.5 miles.
Limit: 10
Family friendly: no

Mount Borah is Idaho’s highest peak with an elevation of 12,662 feet! There is a trail along the Southwest Ridge, which is the standard route to the summit, where the hike will continue and stop at Chickenout Ridge. For more details about the route and trail at idahoclimbingguide.com or idahosummits.com

If there is still snow on the mountain during the scheduled time of the climb, it will be cancelled.

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Selkirks Mountains, north of Bonners Ferry

Leader: John Harbuck
Difficulty: Moderate (6 miles round trip, 1,700 ft elevation gain/loss)
Limit: 12
Family Friendly? Yes

This little-used trail travels through a magical old-growth forest of cedar, hemlock, spruce, larch and Douglas fir up a mountainside, crossing boulder fields to gain a ridge, eventually reaching an old mountain top cabin and the remains of a lookout tower. Outstanding views reward your efforts.

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Marvelous views of the Pioneer peaks surrounding the Basin, two small lakes, and a waterfall await hikers who are willing to get away from more popular trails. 9 miles, 2,400’ elevation gain. Strenuous.

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This trek skirts Baker Lake to the Baker Peak Ridge with great views of the Wild Smokies. Baker Peak is a moderate "walk-up" (not scary!), then down through Slide Rock Canyon. 9 miles, 2250 ft. elevation gain. Strenuous.

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West Cabinets, Northeast of Sandpoint

Leader: A.J. Helgenberg
Difficulty:
Limit:
Family Friendly? No

Explore this creek drainage on the western slopes of the West Cabinet Mountains below Calder and Purdy mountains. Grouse creek is full of rainbow trout. Stop at Grouse Creek Falls on the way to the trailhead.
 
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Selkirk Mountains, Upper Pack River drainage north of Sandpoint

Leader: Will Venard
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (4.5 miles round trip, 1,400 ft elevation gain/loss)
Limit: 8 hikers
Family Friendly? Yes

Bring your camera and take it easy on this day hike to a pair of lakes at the source of the Pack River in the Selkirk Mountains. Hemlock and spruce forests give way to boulder-encircled Harrison Lake. The Beehive, Bottleneck Peak, Roman Nose and chiefly the uniquely hooked summit of Harrison Peak are visible from the trail.
 
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Selkirk Mountains, North of Bonners Ferry

Leader: David Siebanthaler
Difficulty: Strenuous (6-7 miles round trip, with up to 1,500 ft elevation gain/loss)
Limit: 6 hikers
Family Friendly? No

Wetlands, alpine flora and fauna, old growth forests and spectacular vistas await those who embark on this looped trek to the gorgeous high mountain Caribou Lakes. This is a loop trip starting on the trail to West Fork Cabin before climbing off-trail up Caribou Ridge above Caribou Lakes and then returning to West Fork Cabin. This is grizzly country.

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Leader: Christina Smith
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous (7-10 miles round trip, 1000 ft elevation gain)
Limit: 10 hikers
Family friendly: 12 and older

Near Anderson Reservoir through the towns of Pine and Featherville; Camping out night before (Sept 4) at the reservoir is highly recommended. Hike will begin early morning on September 5, at Trinity Lakes trailhead ascending to summit and descend to Rainbow Lakes. Beautiful mountain wildflowers, wildlife and breathtaking views of the valley! Bring your suits for the hot springs between towns of Pine and Featherville (optional).

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Join us at the Barber Park Education & Event Center in Boise for Evening on the River: A Gathering of Conservation Friends.

Plan to enjoy Idaho wines and beers and feast on Idaho foods from local growers and producers, prepared by Life’s Kitchen. Listen to local artists The Heard and Shaken Not Stirred. And enjoy live and silent auctions of fantastic items, visit conservation displays and admire our beautiful Boise River with friends.

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Leader: Mike Medberry
Difficulty: Easy to Lake Fork Creek, strenuous to Snowslide Lake.
Limit: 10 max.
Family friendly: Yes, with experienced young hikers.
Dog friendly: yes

Northeast of McCall, this hike occurs within the proposed Needles wilderness area, which covers much of the high mountain country of the South Fork of the Salmon River. This fun filled weekend will begin at the Lake Fork trailhead and continue up East Fork of Lake Fork Creek to an open meadow to set up camp for the night. Next day, hiking to Maki and Snowslide lakes and descend to the cars that will have been shuttled. Overnight is optional, with joining the group for the Saturday hike only.

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Selkirk Mountains, West of Bonners Ferry

Leader: Maria Trujillo
Difficulty: Strenuous (8 miles round trip, 2,000 ft. elevation gain/loss)
Limit: 8 hikers
Family Friendly? No

This difficult, but rewarding hike, offers rugged mountain scenery and pristine lakes. The trail follows Slide Creek through an old growth forest leading to granite lined alpine lakes high in the Selkirks. This area offers terrific views of Harrison Peak. The hike is eight miles round trip and hikers will want to bring warm clothes for this fall hike.

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