CHICAGO PEAK 7018’
CHICAGO PEAK 7018'
A WARNING ABOUT THE ROAD TO THE CLIFF LAKE,
ST PAUL PEAK AND ROCK PEAK ROAD.
AFTER VISITING THE AREA WEDNESDAY 8.4.22,
I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE ROAD.
FROM F.R. 150, F.R. 2741 UP TO THE TRAILHEAD,
IS EXTREMELY ROUGH'
AND CARS WONT MAKE IT TO THE TRAILHEAD.
THE WALK UP THE ROAD TO THE TRAILHEAD
IS ABOUT 2.4 MILES. AND WILL SAVE YOUR VEHICLES FROM DAMAGE.
PLEASE USE CAUTION
EVENT TYPE: Day hike, backpacking, climbing, scrambling, wildlife viewing, and photography
DISTANCE: about .5 of a mile
ELEVATION: Almost 650verts
DIFFICULTY: Easy to get to, moderate to scale
MAPS: Kootenai National Forest, Elephant Peak topo
GPS: 48° 04’ 26' N” 115° ?41’12” W
RANGER DISTRICT: CABINET R.D. 406.827.3533
SANDERS COUNTY SHERIFF: CALL 911 FIRST OR 406.827.3584
KOOTENAI NATIONAL FOREST/ALERTS
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/kootenai/alerts-notices
DISTANCE: about .5 of a mile
ELEVATION: Almost 650verts
DIFFICULTY: Easy to get to, moderate to scale
MAPS: Kootenai National Forest, Elephant Peak topo
GPS: 48° 04’ 26' N” 115° ?41’12” W
RANGER DISTRICT: CABINET R.D. 406.827.3533
SANDERS COUNTY SHERIFF: CALL 911 FIRST OR 406.827.3584
KOOTENAI NATIONAL FOREST/ALERTS
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/kootenai/alerts-notices
DESCRIPTION:
Chicago Peak is located on an easy trail to Cliff Lake, and is only .5 miles from the trailhead.
As you come to the area next to Chicago Peak, walk to your right to the cliffs beneath and above the overlook.
In the near distance is Cliff Lake, and above the lake is St. Paul Peak 7714'. Off to the ESE is Rock Peak 7583'
Continue along the bench that skirts Chicago Peak to its north end.
The north end of the peak is higher than most of the rest of the peak.
Look for a gully to the right side of peak, that is your ascent route.
A WORD OF WARNING.....it's pretty easy to climb using the abundant Bear Grass and many Sub-Alpine trees.
BUT THE DESCENT IS MORE DIFFICULT AND CAN BE DANGEROUS. I DESCENDED THE SLOPE, FACING UPHILL, SO I COULD USE THE BEAR GRASS AS HAND HOLDS.
Once on the upper ridge, walk north around the rocks to the summit rock.
The views all around are more than worth the effort to get there.
PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION GOING UP AND ESPECIALLY COMING DOWN.
As you come to the area next to Chicago Peak, walk to your right to the cliffs beneath and above the overlook.
In the near distance is Cliff Lake, and above the lake is St. Paul Peak 7714'. Off to the ESE is Rock Peak 7583'
Continue along the bench that skirts Chicago Peak to its north end.
The north end of the peak is higher than most of the rest of the peak.
Look for a gully to the right side of peak, that is your ascent route.
A WORD OF WARNING.....it's pretty easy to climb using the abundant Bear Grass and many Sub-Alpine trees.
BUT THE DESCENT IS MORE DIFFICULT AND CAN BE DANGEROUS. I DESCENDED THE SLOPE, FACING UPHILL, SO I COULD USE THE BEAR GRASS AS HAND HOLDS.
Once on the upper ridge, walk north around the rocks to the summit rock.
The views all around are more than worth the effort to get there.
PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION GOING UP AND ESPECIALLY COMING DOWN.
OPTION #1:
CLIFF LAKE
After you have visited Chicago Peak, take a walk east to Cliff Lake.
There are several campsites around the lake, and if you don't see a lot of Mountain Goats, you made too much noise.
After you have visited Chicago Peak, take a walk east to Cliff Lake.
There are several campsites around the lake, and if you don't see a lot of Mountain Goats, you made too much noise.
OPTION #2:
ST. PAUL PEAK 7714'
From the NE corner of the lake, walk upward around the NE flank, and pick your route to the top of St. Paul Peak 7714'.
The views here are outstanding to say the least.
To the north, the massive of Snowshoe Peak 8738' and A Peak 8634' fill your view.
To the south is Rock Peak 7583', Ojibway Peak 7303', and off to the ENE is Elephant Peak 7938' .
USE CAUTION DESCENDING ST. PAUL PEAK
From the NE corner of the lake, walk upward around the NE flank, and pick your route to the top of St. Paul Peak 7714'.
The views here are outstanding to say the least.
To the north, the massive of Snowshoe Peak 8738' and A Peak 8634' fill your view.
To the south is Rock Peak 7583', Ojibway Peak 7303', and off to the ENE is Elephant Peak 7938' .
USE CAUTION DESCENDING ST. PAUL PEAK
OPTION #3:
ROCK PEAK 7583'
THIS ROUTE IS NOT FOR BEGINNERS. ITS VERY STEEP AND GOOD ROUTE FINDING SKILLS ARE A MUST.
From Cliff Lake, walk around the end of the lake, and notice the low elevation "Ridgeline" that drops down and over to the base of Rock Peak. This serious scramble heads SE and ascends steeply towards the north summit.
Up near the top of the ascent, look for a route that you are comfortable with. You may want to head SE and skirt the loose scree.
Once on top, the views all around are amazing. Rock Lake is 2629verts below you, and looks like a narrow pond between two very steep peaks.
USE CAUTION DESCENDING ROCK PEAK.
THIS ROUTE IS NOT FOR BEGINNERS. ITS VERY STEEP AND GOOD ROUTE FINDING SKILLS ARE A MUST.
From Cliff Lake, walk around the end of the lake, and notice the low elevation "Ridgeline" that drops down and over to the base of Rock Peak. This serious scramble heads SE and ascends steeply towards the north summit.
Up near the top of the ascent, look for a route that you are comfortable with. You may want to head SE and skirt the loose scree.
Once on top, the views all around are amazing. Rock Lake is 2629verts below you, and looks like a narrow pond between two very steep peaks.
USE CAUTION DESCENDING ROCK PEAK.
DIRECTIONS:
From Sandpoint, drive east on SH #200 towards Clark Fork and into Montana. Pass SH #56 road and two miles past Noxon, Montana, near milepost 17, turn left (east) onto the Rock Creek Road # 150. After about 400 feet take the right fork for about 8 miles to the Chicago Peak Road #2741.
You will pass the Engle Peak turnoff, the Rock Lake turnoff, then come to FR #2741. Turn right for about 7.1 miles.
BUT BE AWARE…THIS ROAD IS NOT MAINTAINED FOR CARS OR LOW CLEARANCE VEHICLES, AND IS VERY ROUGH.
An Outback could make it, but you will wish you hadn’t.
At this turn, you may not be able to get any higher due to rocky and rough road beds. You can park here and hike the 7.1 miles, to the trailhead.
My suggestion is…ONLY DRIVE FR #2741 AT YOUR OWN RISK.
THE CREATORS OF THIS WEBSITE CAN NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR VEHICLE.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
You will pass the Engle Peak turnoff, the Rock Lake turnoff, then come to FR #2741. Turn right for about 7.1 miles.
BUT BE AWARE…THIS ROAD IS NOT MAINTAINED FOR CARS OR LOW CLEARANCE VEHICLES, AND IS VERY ROUGH.
An Outback could make it, but you will wish you hadn’t.
At this turn, you may not be able to get any higher due to rocky and rough road beds. You can park here and hike the 7.1 miles, to the trailhead.
My suggestion is…ONLY DRIVE FR #2741 AT YOUR OWN RISK.
THE CREATORS OF THIS WEBSITE CAN NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR VEHICLE.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Engle Peak, Rock Lake, Star Peak, Pillick Ridge, and Wanless Lake
HAZARDS:
The road to the trailhead, after the FR#2741, eats cars. The towing fee could easily reach 1000$.
None to Cliff Lake.
Sure footedness and lots of experience should be used going up and down, to reach St Paul Peak.
Summiting Rock Peak, take strength, endurance, experience. Do not attempt, unless you are well experienced in near vertical rock hopping.
None to Cliff Lake.
Sure footedness and lots of experience should be used going up and down, to reach St Paul Peak.
Summiting Rock Peak, take strength, endurance, experience. Do not attempt, unless you are well experienced in near vertical rock hopping.
R & P:
Kaiju Bar & Grill 419 W 9th, Henry’s & Pizza Hut, in Libby, Clark Fork Pantry, Eicharts, Mr Sub & Jalapeños in Sandpoint
PHOTO GALLERY
ONE OF THE JOYS OF VISITING THE CLIFF LAKE AREA,
IS THE VIEWS FROM ALONG FOREST ROAD #2741
TO THE WEST IS THE PROPOSED SCOTCHMAN PEAK WILDERNESS
THIS IS THE TRAIL TO THE BENCH THAT CHICAGO PEAK IS NEXT TO.
THESE TREES ARE VERY SPECIAL. THEY ARE A FORM OF SUB-ALPINE FIRS, THAT ARE CALLED KRUMMHOLZ.
A KRUMMHOLZ KNEE HIGH, CAN BE OVER 100 YEARS OLD.
THESE KRUMMHOLZ ARE WELL OVER 6' TALL AND CAN ARE ANCIENT.
REFER TO https://www.treespnw.com/
CHRIS POSING NEXT TO THE CABINET MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS BOUNDARY SIGN.
AS YOU WALK OUT OVER THE BENCH, WALK TO YOUR RIGHT FOR EXCEPTIONAL VIEWS
THIS IMAGE SHOWS THE BENCH THAT CHICAGO PEAK SITS ON. CLIFF LAKE IS BELOW
OUR ASCENT ROUTE IS DIRECTLY ABOVE ME
IMAGE BY CHRIS
THIS IMAGE SHOWS THE STEEPNESS OF THE ASCENT.
ST. PAUL PEAK IS ON THE RIGHT
THE ROCK ABOVE LEFT IS THE HIGH POINT OF CHICAGO PEAK
ROCK PEAK IS OFF IN THE DISTANCE
IMAGE BY CHRIS
CHIC ON THE SUMMIT OF CHICAGO PEAK
IMAGE BY CHRIS
COPPER LAKE SITS BELOW CHICAGO PEAK
IMAGE BY CHRIS
THIS IMAGE SHOWS THE LOW RIDGE LINE FROM ST. PAUL LAKE TO ROCK PEAK
IMAGE BY CHRIS
THE CLARK FORK RIVER FROM THE SUMMIT OF CHICAGO PEAK
IMAGE BY CHRIS
FROM THE SUMMIT OF CHICAGO PEAK, LOOK NORTH TO SEE THE HIGH POINT OF THE CABINET MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS
FROM LEFT IS IBEX PEAK, ON THE RIGHT SNOWSHOE PEAK (TALLEST)
AND A PEAK TO ITS LEFT
IMAGE BY CHRIS
FROM THE SUMMIT OF THESE PEAKS,
THE PROPOSED SCOTCHMAN PEAKS WILDERNESS STRETCHES OUT TO THE WEST
THIS IS THE ASCENT ROUTE TO ST. PAUL PEAK
THIS IS THE VIEW OF THE SNOWSHOE AREA TO THE NORTH,
IS FROM THE SUMMIT OF ST. PAUL PEAK
