BLACKTAIL MOUNTAIN, PRIEST RIVER AREA
BLACKTAIL MOUNTAIN TRAIL #292
EVENT TYPE: day hiking, backpacking, and equestrian.
DISTANCE: 4 miles RT
ELEVATION: 1295’
DIFFICULTY: moderately difficult
MAPS: Priest Lake NW, Upper Priest Lake
GPS: 48°42’43” N 116°55’05”
DISTANCE: 4 miles RT
ELEVATION: 1295’
DIFFICULTY: moderately difficult
MAPS: Priest Lake NW, Upper Priest Lake
GPS: 48°42’43” N 116°55’05”
DESCRIPTION:
Trail #292 starts out moderately steep, up thru a thick forest with several benches that allow a bit of rest before climbing again. The higher you get on this trail, the more open spaces occur. Closer to the summit, the trees thin, and a meadows or two allows for views and wildflowers. Huckleberries flank the trail on the upper slopes. As you get closer the the summit, the views west open up. Within a 10 or 15 minutes, the trail turns to light rock hopping, then you are on top. And the views are spectacular. Off to the east and SE, the full length of the American Selkirks is your view.
And what a view it is.
The old lookout tower is long gone, but the fire finder, or alidade, still stands. The alidade is a round platter in which the map of the area was on.
It rotated like a compass, to allow the staffer to pin point its direction. When the fire lookout person spotted a fire, they called in the angle from their location. Other lookouts would do the same, and eventually the exact location was fixed.
Altho there isn’t a map left, it is a very cool tool to look at.
like all fire lookouts, there was always an outhouse. A little NE of the summit, is a dilapidated outhouse. It’s leaning and not useable, but is a very photogenic artifact.
The trail may be a little steep, but it’s only 4 miles RT. Take your kids with you. It’s a great learning experience, and offers great views.
And what a view it is.
The old lookout tower is long gone, but the fire finder, or alidade, still stands. The alidade is a round platter in which the map of the area was on.
It rotated like a compass, to allow the staffer to pin point its direction. When the fire lookout person spotted a fire, they called in the angle from their location. Other lookouts would do the same, and eventually the exact location was fixed.
Altho there isn’t a map left, it is a very cool tool to look at.
like all fire lookouts, there was always an outhouse. A little NE of the summit, is a dilapidated outhouse. It’s leaning and not useable, but is a very photogenic artifact.
The trail may be a little steep, but it’s only 4 miles RT. Take your kids with you. It’s a great learning experience, and offers great views.
DIRECTIONS:
From Priest River, drive north on Hwy 57 past Nordman where it merges with FR #302 at about 37 miles. After about 3 miles on 302 the pavement ends. Turn right (North) onto F.R. #638. At about 3.2 miles, there’s a “Y” in the road, bear left up to the saddle where you can park. A road sing says #638 to the right. It’s a loop road, and left is a better road.
Be aware, the last mile of 638 is rough to the saddle.
THE ACTUAL TRAIL #292 IS .1 OF A MILE WEST. IT IS NOT BY THE SADDLE OR PARKING AREA.
Be aware, the last mile of 638 is rough to the saddle.
THE ACTUAL TRAIL #292 IS .1 OF A MILE WEST. IT IS NOT BY THE SADDLE OR PARKING AREA.
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Upper Priest Lake, Beaver Creek Launch on the north end of Lower Priest Lake, Granite Falls& LaSota Falls, and the Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars, and the Salmo-Priest Wilderness across the boarder in Washington.
HAZARDS:
The trail is semi steep, and the top section of the trail is rocky.
The last mile of Road 638, is rocky and rough. Please use caution.
The last mile of Road 638, is rocky and rough. Please use caution.
R & P:
Stagger Inn, and Burger Express.
PLAN YOUR TRIP:
Click for Current NOAA Weather Conditions
PHOTO GALLERY
AS THE TRAIL BREAKS OUT OF THE FOREST, PRIEST LAKE LAYS BELOW YOU
THE NORTH END OF LOWER PRIEST LAKE, WITH LIONS HEAD CAMPGROUND
CAIRNS ABOUT HALF WAY UP THE SCREE SLOPE
ONCE ON TOP, THE AMERICAN SELKIRKS DOMINATE YOUR VIEW
CHRIS TAKING A NAP NEXT TO THE ALIDADE (MAP STAND) ON THE SUMMIT
WHEN YOU DROP YOUR PACK AND TURN EAST, THE VIEW IS OUTSTANDING.
THE ENTIRE AMERICAN SELKIRKS IS BEFORE YOU.
A CLOSE UP OF THE SELKIRKS, WITH THE ALIDADE, AND LOWER PRIEST LAKE
IF ONLY THIS OUTHOUSE COULD TALK
AN OUTHOUSE WITH A VIEW
AS YOU LEAVE THE SUMMIT, THE VIEWS ARE INCREDIBLE.
