FIVE LAKES BUTTE
EVENT TYPE: Day hiking, backpacking, and equestrian
DISTANCE: 6.4 miles RT to Five Lakes Butte.
ELEVATION GAIN: 1563’ to the Butte
DIFFICULTY: moderate
MAPS: Clearwater N.F., North Fork District, Bacon Peak & Chamberlain Mountain topos
GPS: 46°56’06” N 115°14’44” W
RANGER DISTRICT: North Fork R.D. 208.476.4541
BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF: 911 or 208.527.8553
CLEARWATER NATIONAL FOREST/ ALERTS
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nezperceclearwater/alerts-notices
DISTANCE: 6.4 miles RT to Five Lakes Butte.
ELEVATION GAIN: 1563’ to the Butte
DIFFICULTY: moderate
MAPS: Clearwater N.F., North Fork District, Bacon Peak & Chamberlain Mountain topos
GPS: 46°56’06” N 115°14’44” W
RANGER DISTRICT: North Fork R.D. 208.476.4541
BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF: 911 or 208.527.8553
CLEARWATER NATIONAL FOREST/ ALERTS
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nezperceclearwater/alerts-notices
DESCRIPTION:
WE HAVE ADDED THE AREAS SHERIFF’S EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS FOR EACH TRIP WRITE UP UNDER THE RANGER DISTRICT INFO. IF AN EMERGENCY OCURRS, EVALUATE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND CALL ONLY IF NEEDED.
Altho this hike is called Five Lakes Butte, there are actually 7 lake that can be visited. The major lakes are, in order along the hike are, Tin, Copper, Silver, Gold, and Heather. The other three are Seed, Berry, and Platinum Lakes.
As the trail begins near where F.R. #715, also known as Gospel Hill Road crosses Meadow Creek.
Trail #233 basically climbs a low ridge line between two creeks. Up near the basin, the trail is near Platinum Lake on its way to Tin Lake.
Next up the trail is Copper Lake, then Silver Lake with a campsite on it’s NE side.
From Silver Lake the trail to Five Lakes Butte is off to the west.
But it is Gold Lake that sits below the craggy south face of Five Lakes Butte, that should not be missed.
The reflection of the cliffs off a calm Gold Lake, could only be better, if you had a chaise lounges to lay on.
There is a campsite on the NE end of the lake.
Once back on Trail #233, it hikes the ridge line above Gold Lake on its way to The Butte. This “trail” is the kind of trail, off trail hikers will appreciate.
Instead of following the trail which leads away from the Butte, stay along the edge of the ridge for views.
Above the west end of Gold Lake, the ridge splits. Stay right up towards the summit. You will know you have arrived, because your view will be 360°.
Off the summit, head north avoiding the cliffs by skirting the right side.
After about 1100’ from the top, choose your route down to Heather and Seed Lakes.
From Seed and Berry Lake, head SW to Gold Lake, contouring the terrain.
This route is off trail and allows you to stay above the trees.
Once at Gold Lake, hike SE on a faint trail, back to the Trail 233, above Silver Lake. Take a left on Trail #233, and follow your steps toward Tin Lake, and back to the trailhead.
Altho this hike is called Five Lakes Butte, there are actually 7 lake that can be visited. The major lakes are, in order along the hike are, Tin, Copper, Silver, Gold, and Heather. The other three are Seed, Berry, and Platinum Lakes.
As the trail begins near where F.R. #715, also known as Gospel Hill Road crosses Meadow Creek.
Trail #233 basically climbs a low ridge line between two creeks. Up near the basin, the trail is near Platinum Lake on its way to Tin Lake.
Next up the trail is Copper Lake, then Silver Lake with a campsite on it’s NE side.
From Silver Lake the trail to Five Lakes Butte is off to the west.
But it is Gold Lake that sits below the craggy south face of Five Lakes Butte, that should not be missed.
The reflection of the cliffs off a calm Gold Lake, could only be better, if you had a chaise lounges to lay on.
There is a campsite on the NE end of the lake.
Once back on Trail #233, it hikes the ridge line above Gold Lake on its way to The Butte. This “trail” is the kind of trail, off trail hikers will appreciate.
Instead of following the trail which leads away from the Butte, stay along the edge of the ridge for views.
Above the west end of Gold Lake, the ridge splits. Stay right up towards the summit. You will know you have arrived, because your view will be 360°.
Off the summit, head north avoiding the cliffs by skirting the right side.
After about 1100’ from the top, choose your route down to Heather and Seed Lakes.
From Seed and Berry Lake, head SW to Gold Lake, contouring the terrain.
This route is off trail and allows you to stay above the trees.
Once at Gold Lake, hike SE on a faint trail, back to the Trail 233, above Silver Lake. Take a left on Trail #233, and follow your steps toward Tin Lake, and back to the trailhead.
DIRECTIONS:
FROM SUPERIOR, MONTANA:
Drive east on I-90 to Superior, Montana. At Superior, head south on. F.R. #257, also known as Diamond Road. After about 36 mile, pass Hoodoo Pass, and turn right onto F.R. #720. You will cross the North Fork of the Clearwater River near Cedar Campgrounds. Continue on F.R. #720 for 10.5 miles towards Fly Hill. Turn right on F.R. #715 for 7.5 miles to the trailhead.
FROM LEWISTON, IDAHO:
Take Highway 12 east from Lewiston to Greer. Turn east onto Hwy 11 at Greer and continue thru Weippe almost to Pierce. Just before Pierce turn right on French Mountain Road. Soon you will see a sign stating the distance to Kelly Creek at 49 miles. This road is paved at the start, then gravel along the North Fork of the Clearwater, which you will turn east 30 miles later..Turn left on Road 250 at Kelly Forks, and stay on this road until after it crosses Lake Creek. Turn left over the North Fork a few yards later on the road to the Cedar Grove campground, but then turn right just across the bridge onto Road 720, the Fly Hill Road. When the road splits into three parts about 7 miles in, stay in the center. At about 10 miles in, go right on Road 715. The trailhead is on the left just past 18 miles in
Drive east on I-90 to Superior, Montana. At Superior, head south on. F.R. #257, also known as Diamond Road. After about 36 mile, pass Hoodoo Pass, and turn right onto F.R. #720. You will cross the North Fork of the Clearwater River near Cedar Campgrounds. Continue on F.R. #720 for 10.5 miles towards Fly Hill. Turn right on F.R. #715 for 7.5 miles to the trailhead.
FROM LEWISTON, IDAHO:
Take Highway 12 east from Lewiston to Greer. Turn east onto Hwy 11 at Greer and continue thru Weippe almost to Pierce. Just before Pierce turn right on French Mountain Road. Soon you will see a sign stating the distance to Kelly Creek at 49 miles. This road is paved at the start, then gravel along the North Fork of the Clearwater, which you will turn east 30 miles later..Turn left on Road 250 at Kelly Forks, and stay on this road until after it crosses Lake Creek. Turn left over the North Fork a few yards later on the road to the Cedar Grove campground, but then turn right just across the bridge onto Road 720, the Fly Hill Road. When the road splits into three parts about 7 miles in, stay in the center. At about 10 miles in, go right on Road 715. The trailhead is on the left just past 18 miles in
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
St. Joe Wild and Scenic River, the Mallard-Larkin Pioneer Area, Black Peak, Eagle Point Lookout, N. Fork of the Clearwater River, and Snow Peak.
HAZARDS:
Up to the ridge above Gold Lake, the trail is pretty straight forward. Beyond the Five Lakes Butte summit, route finding skills & care is needed.
R & P:
NA