BEEHIVE LAKE 6457’
EVENT TYPE: Hiking, backpacking, and scrambling
DISTANCE: Beehive Lake 7.2 miles RT, Loop about 11 miles
ELEVATION: 2040’
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Beehive Lake
MAPS: IPNF - Kaniksu N.F., USGS - The Wigwams, ID
GPS: Beehive Lake 48° 38’ 59.3”N 116° 37’ 25.0”W
DISTANCE: Beehive Lake 7.2 miles RT, Loop about 11 miles
ELEVATION: 2040’
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Beehive Lake
MAPS: IPNF - Kaniksu N.F., USGS - The Wigwams, ID
GPS: Beehive Lake 48° 38’ 59.3”N 116° 37’ 25.0”W
DESCRIPTION:
From the trailhead, head east across a bridge over the Pack River. The trail is wide and a nice hike with a few switchbacks to the lake. The trail wonders up between two east ridges and over the Beehive Creek, as it passes two of Beehives lower lakes ( not worth the effort). About a half a mile from the lake, the trail goes onto the famous Selkirk Granite. Soon the granite leads you to the NE end of the lake. Up to the left (south) is an area to camp and have great views of the lake and the Selkirk Crest high above.
OPTION 1:
For those wishing to do a nice scramble, walk south along the shore to the SE corner. Above you is the North Twin. Head in that direction and start ascending. There are two forested benches above you. Head to the highest of the two. After a nice lunch with a view, climb up towards the SElkirk Crest, skirting the North Twin. Keep heading north below the crest to the divide between Beehive Lake and Little Harrison Lake. Spend some time here admiring Beehive below and the Lookout Mountain to the west. From here you have a few options. You can hike back down to Beehive Lake, or jump the ridge and descend to Little Harrison Lake.
OPTION #2:
From Beehive Lake, look to your left (north) for a faint trail that takes you up and over the ridge to Little Harrison Lake. The scramble up and over the ridge is difficult, but lands you at the beautiful L. Harrison Lake. You can hike around the lake, but you must go back to your descent route to get back to Beehive Lake.
DIRECTIONS:
From Sandpoint drive north on 95 to Samuel. Turn left (west) on to the Pack River Road #231 for 19 miles to Beehive Lake trailhead.
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Fault Lake, the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, the Purcell Trench, Sandpoint, and Lake Pend Orielle
HAZARDS:
From Beehive Lake over the ridge to L.H.L. Is a scramble of note. With care you can make these routes a lifetime memory.
R & P:
Jalapeños, Mr. Sub, and Eichardt’s in Sandpoint