AMERICAN FALLS TRAIL #308
*****************CALL THE P.R. RANGER DISTRICT AT 208.443.2512, BETWEEN 8-4:30 TO MAKE SURE THE ROADS ARE CLEAR.***********************
AMERICAN FALLS TRAIL #308
EVENT TYPE: Day hike, backpack, Mt. Biking, swimming
DISTANCE: 16.2 miles RT
ELEVATION
GAIN: 640’
DIFFICULTY: easy
MAPS: I.P.N.F., Kaniksu N.F., Continental Mountain
GPS: 48°53’45” N 116°57’51” W
RANGER DISTRICT: Priest Lake r.d. 208.443.2512
DISTANCE: 16.2 miles RT
ELEVATION
GAIN: 640’
DIFFICULTY: easy
MAPS: I.P.N.F., Kaniksu N.F., Continental Mountain
GPS: 48°53’45” N 116°57’51” W
RANGER DISTRICT: Priest Lake r.d. 208.443.2512
DESCRIPTION:
Altho this trail seems long, it is a beautiful trail to hike on the hottest day of the year. Most of Trail #308 is surrounded by large Hemlocks and Cedars.
For the most part, this trail skirts the Upper Priest River. Along your hike or mt. bike, there are numerous wood walkways to protect the fragile, often moist ground. Trees make this hike a real memory. And this area is one of the largest, in tact old growth forests in the Pacific Northwest.
Some of the trees are up to 10 feet in diameter.
For a shorter hike, you can drive up FR1013, and turn onto FR 1388 to the Continental Trailhead. The hike is 1.5 miles and 1040 verts down to Trail #308. From 308, it’s another mile to American Falls, aka Upper Priest Falls. But it won’t be as cool as hiking the 308 trail. Cool meaning temps and beauty.
For mt. bikers, drive past, Trail 308 trailhead, leaving a shuttle car and turn up FR 1388 after it crosses Continental Creek to the end. You will be at the Continental Trail #28. This route is 14 miles back to the Trail #308 trailhead where you left a shuttle car. It is a 1040 foot drop down to Trail #308.
While at American Falls, look around for Orange Peel Fungus.
For the most part, this trail skirts the Upper Priest River. Along your hike or mt. bike, there are numerous wood walkways to protect the fragile, often moist ground. Trees make this hike a real memory. And this area is one of the largest, in tact old growth forests in the Pacific Northwest.
Some of the trees are up to 10 feet in diameter.
For a shorter hike, you can drive up FR1013, and turn onto FR 1388 to the Continental Trailhead. The hike is 1.5 miles and 1040 verts down to Trail #308. From 308, it’s another mile to American Falls, aka Upper Priest Falls. But it won’t be as cool as hiking the 308 trail. Cool meaning temps and beauty.
For mt. bikers, drive past, Trail 308 trailhead, leaving a shuttle car and turn up FR 1388 after it crosses Continental Creek to the end. You will be at the Continental Trail #28. This route is 14 miles back to the Trail #308 trailhead where you left a shuttle car. It is a 1040 foot drop down to Trail #308.
While at American Falls, look around for Orange Peel Fungus.
DIRECTIONS:
From Priest River, drive north on Hwy 57 for about 37 miles to Nordman. Continue 14 miles on FR #302 to Granite Creek and the Stagger Inn Campground. Take a moment here to visit Granite Falls and the Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars. From here drive 1.6 miles to the FR #1013 junction. Take the middle fork nearly 12 miles, and look for the parking area on the left.
For the upper trailhead, drive further up 1013, to the #28 trailhead at the end of the road.
For the upper trailhead, drive further up 1013, to the #28 trailhead at the end of the road.
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Hughes Meadows & Ridge, Little Snowy Top, and Snowy Top.
HAZARDS:
The hiking, and biking hazards are simple. If you gawk too much, you will leave the trail.
On Trail #28, you just pay attention to the trail as it drops 140’.
THIS AREA IS FREQUENTED BY MOOSE AND GRIZZLY BEARS. MAKE LOTS OF NOISE TO ALERT THEM THAT YOU ARE IN THE AREA.
On Trail #28, you just pay attention to the trail as it drops 140’.
THIS AREA IS FREQUENTED BY MOOSE AND GRIZZLY BEARS. MAKE LOTS OF NOISE TO ALERT THEM THAT YOU ARE IN THE AREA.
R & P:
Burger Express in Priest River.
PLAN YOUR TRIP:
Click for Current NOAA Weather Conditions
PHOTO GALLERY
A SECTION OF THE AMERICAN FALLS TRAIL #308
AMERICAN FALLS, AKA, UPPER PRIEST RIVER FALLS
