BLACKTAIL MOUNTAIN 5495', PRIEST LAKE AREA
*****************CALL THE P.R. RANGER DISTRICT AT 208.443.2512, BETWEEN 8-4:30 TO MAKE SURE THE ROADS ARE CLEAR.***********************
BLACKTAIL MOUNTAIN 5495' TRAIL #292
EVENT TYPE: day hiking, backpacking, and equestrian.
DISTANCE: 3.6 miles RT
ELEVATION: 1295’
DIFFICULTY: moderately difficult
MAPS: Priest Lake NW, Upper Priest Lake
GPS: 48°42’43” N 116°55’05”
RANGER DISTRICT: Priest River R.D. 208.443.2512
DISTANCE: 3.6 miles RT
ELEVATION: 1295’
DIFFICULTY: moderately difficult
MAPS: Priest Lake NW, Upper Priest Lake
GPS: 48°42’43” N 116°55’05”
RANGER DISTRICT: Priest River R.D. 208.443.2512
DESCRIPTION:
The trail starts down road about .1 miles. Looks for a memorial sign on a tree, on the uphill side.
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. At about 1.6 miles, you have an option to stay on the USFS trail, or walk up a ridge where a fire burned years ago. This route is warmer on cold days, where the USFS trail is in the trees on hot sunny days. 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 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 the fires 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 3.6 miles RT. Take your kids with you. It’s a great learning experience, and offers great views.
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. At about 1.6 miles, you have an option to stay on the USFS trail, or walk up a ridge where a fire burned years ago. This route is warmer on cold days, where the USFS trail is in the trees on hot sunny days. 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 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 the fires 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 3.6 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 Tango Creek Road F.R. #638. At about a mile, there’s a “Y” in the road, bear left, staying on 638 up to the saddle in about 4.2 miles where you can park. If you get to a sharp right turn, you've gone .1 miles too far. The parking area is on the right as the road drops towards the hairpin turn.
There are two 638. its a loop road. Drive past the first 638 to a road sign says #638 to the right.
Be aware, the last mile of 638 is rough to the saddle.
THE ACTUAL TRAIL #292 IS .1 OF A MILE WEST, DOWN THE ROAD FROM THE PARKING AREA. IT IS NOT BY THE SADDLE OR PARKING AREA.
There are two 638. its a loop road. Drive past the first 638 to a road sign says #638 to the right.
Be aware, the last mile of 638 is rough to the saddle.
THE ACTUAL TRAIL #292 IS .1 OF A MILE WEST, DOWN THE ROAD FROM THE PARKING AREA. 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:
PHOTO GALLERY
AS THE TRAIL BREAKS OUT OF THE FOREST, PRIEST LAKE LIES BELOW YOU
THE SOUTHERN END OF LOWER PRIEST LAKE
CAIRNS ABOUT HALF WAY UP THE SCREE SLOPE
BARITOO AND FOURMILE ISLANDS IN THE LATE MORNING SUN.
IMAGE BY CHRIS HERATH
AN IMAGE OF THE LOOKOUT FROM THE OLD DAYS
Built in 1932, this gabled-roofed L-4 cab atop a 10' tower was abruptly destroyed in 1941. There was also a patrol point 1/2 mile northwest.
A HORSE PACK TEAM DELIVERING SUPPLIES TO THE LOOKOUT.
A TELEPHOTO OF MOUNT ROOTHAAN & CHIMNEY ROCK
IMAGE BY CHRIS HERATH
A TELEPHOTO OF HARRISON PEAK TO THE NORTH
IMAGE BY CHRIS HERATH
WHEN YOU DROP YOUR PACK AND TURN EAST, THE VIEW IS OUTSTANDING.
THE ENTIRE AMERICAN SELKIRKS IS BEFORE YOU.
CHRIS TAKING A NAP NEXT TO THE ALIDADE (MAP STAND) ON THE SUMMIT
IF ONLY THIS OUTHOUSE COULD TALK
AN OUTHOUSE WITH A VIEW
