MOOSE MOUNTAIN LOOP HIKE
MOOSE MOUNTAIN LOOP HIKE
EVENT TYPE: day hiking
DISTANCE: 9 mile loop
ELEVATION: 1635’
DIFFICULTY: moderate
MAPS: I.P.N.F., Kaniksu National Forest, Mount Pend Orielle, Smith Mountain, Benning Mountain, and Trestle Peak topos
GPS: Moose Lake 48°21’16” N 116°06’33” W
Moose Mountain. 48°20’46” N 116°07’22” W
RANGER DISTRICT. Sandpoint R.D. 208.263.5111
DISTANCE: 9 mile loop
ELEVATION: 1635’
DIFFICULTY: moderate
MAPS: I.P.N.F., Kaniksu National Forest, Mount Pend Orielle, Smith Mountain, Benning Mountain, and Trestle Peak topos
GPS: Moose Lake 48°21’16” N 116°06’33” W
Moose Mountain. 48°20’46” N 116°07’22” W
RANGER DISTRICT. Sandpoint R.D. 208.263.5111
DESCRIPTION:
Not only is this hike relatively close by, but it is a spectacular area with a HUGE surprise when you reach the summit of Moose Mountain.
This whole area is called the Moose Lake Trail System, and has an outhouse at the trailhead.
At the trailhead is a map showing the areas attractions and routes.
To me, the instructions don’t make much sense, so take an image of it to refer to on your walk.
For the first .5 mile the trail climbs gently to the first junction. Turn left and in a short distance is a turn off to Lake Estelle Trail #36. See OPTION #1 below for info on this spur trail.
In 1.5 miles is Moose Lake. I guarantee you, there will always be a place to pitch a tent. And your tent will be on soft grasses.
Moose Lake sits in a cirque with magnificent views of its rocky terrain. To the SW is a mountain that you may think is Moose Mountain, but it’s not.
As you continue along the west side of the lake, the trail climbs at a steady and moderate rate until after several false saddles, the trail pops out on the cirques back wall. Don’t be discouraged, the best part lies ahead.
Turn right (west) up the ridge for less then .6 mikes to the summit.
Once on the summit, drop your pack and grab your camera.
From Moose Mountains 6543’ summit, the views east of the Proposed Scotchman Peak Wilderness, and the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness are stretched out for 30+ miles in front of you. The west face of these peaks are very rugged and drop off precipitously.
Then the fun starts. Start up north and identify the peaks of both areas all the way to Hwy 200 to the south. Take along a P.S.P.W. Map and a C.M.W. map to aid your identification.
The view of the peaks to the east from Moose Mountain blew me away.
Then to make it even more spectacular, when we summited the next peak (very close), you can see most all the American Selkirks to the west. Chimney Rock sticks up like a....pinnacle.
After you have lunch on the summit, continue westish on the trail as it descends a very beautiful ridge line back towards the parking area. The trail drops off the ridge and does a few switchbacks until you reach the trail you started on.
Then it’s only .5 miles to the cars.
Start this loop early, so you can enjoy the views from Moose Mountain summit.
This whole area is called the Moose Lake Trail System, and has an outhouse at the trailhead.
At the trailhead is a map showing the areas attractions and routes.
To me, the instructions don’t make much sense, so take an image of it to refer to on your walk.
For the first .5 mile the trail climbs gently to the first junction. Turn left and in a short distance is a turn off to Lake Estelle Trail #36. See OPTION #1 below for info on this spur trail.
In 1.5 miles is Moose Lake. I guarantee you, there will always be a place to pitch a tent. And your tent will be on soft grasses.
Moose Lake sits in a cirque with magnificent views of its rocky terrain. To the SW is a mountain that you may think is Moose Mountain, but it’s not.
As you continue along the west side of the lake, the trail climbs at a steady and moderate rate until after several false saddles, the trail pops out on the cirques back wall. Don’t be discouraged, the best part lies ahead.
Turn right (west) up the ridge for less then .6 mikes to the summit.
Once on the summit, drop your pack and grab your camera.
From Moose Mountains 6543’ summit, the views east of the Proposed Scotchman Peak Wilderness, and the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness are stretched out for 30+ miles in front of you. The west face of these peaks are very rugged and drop off precipitously.
Then the fun starts. Start up north and identify the peaks of both areas all the way to Hwy 200 to the south. Take along a P.S.P.W. Map and a C.M.W. map to aid your identification.
The view of the peaks to the east from Moose Mountain blew me away.
Then to make it even more spectacular, when we summited the next peak (very close), you can see most all the American Selkirks to the west. Chimney Rock sticks up like a....pinnacle.
After you have lunch on the summit, continue westish on the trail as it descends a very beautiful ridge line back towards the parking area. The trail drops off the ridge and does a few switchbacks until you reach the trail you started on.
Then it’s only .5 miles to the cars.
Start this loop early, so you can enjoy the views from Moose Mountain summit.
OPTION #1:
As you walk into this area from the parking lot, are the Lake Estelle Trail #36 for two miles a a beautiful cirque lake nestled below towering mountains.
The last .5 miles of the trail, skirts several cliffs, but offers great views of N. Idaho and Montana’s Big Sky country.
There are a few campsites scattered along the east shore line.
The last .5 miles of the trail, skirts several cliffs, but offers great views of N. Idaho and Montana’s Big Sky country.
There are a few campsites scattered along the east shore line.
OPTION #2:
Because the distances are short to these lakes, you can visit three lakes and one peak by following the parking area map.
OPTION #3:
To further your hiking in this area, there is a hike from Lake Estelle to Gem Lake, or visa versa, to the west, at about 2.5 miles of hiking. You can make it a loop, but there is about a two mile road back to the trailhead.
DIRECTIONS:
Head north to Sandpoint and take the Hwy 200 exit and head east to the Pack River and Pend Orielle Lake confluences. At 3.4 miles from the Pack River, turn left (East) for 12 miles to a junction with the Lightning Creek Road #275. Turn left (north) up Lightning Creek for less then a mile, and turn right (S). Onto FR #1022 to the trailhead.
HAZARDS:
Altho this trail does climb a bit to the Moose Mountain, it has 2 or 3 steep sections along the way. And be aware...there are three point where you think you are about to summit the ridge. Eventually you will get to the ridge to the top.
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Lake Estelle, Gem Lake, Pend Orielle Lake, Lunch Peak Fire Lookout & Mount Pend Orielle Peak, Char Falls, and Scotchman’s Peak.
HAZARDS:
R & P:
Squeeze Inn and the Clark Fork Pantry on Clark Fork. Jalapeños, Mr. Sub, and Eichardt’s in Sandpoint.
PLAN YOUR TRIP:
Click for Current NOAA Weather Conditions
PHOTO GALLERY
AT THE PARKING AREA IS THIS SIGN SHOWING THE MANY OPTIONS. BE SURE TO SNAP AN IMAGE OF THIS SIGN FOR REFERENCE FURTHER ALONG THE TRAILS.
TRAIL DIRECTIONS AT THE FIRST JUNCTION
THE BEGINNING OF THE MOOSE MOUNTAIN LOOP HIKE
MOOSE LAKE
TRAIL #213 NEAR MOOSE MOUNTAIN SUMMIT. THE PEAKS TOP CENTER, IS WHERE LAKE ESTELLE SITS, ON THE OTHER SIDE.
AS YOU REACH THE SUMMIT OF MOOSE MOUNTAIN, YOU GET THE FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE PROPOSED SCOTCHMAN PEAKS WILDERNESS (MIDDLE RANGE), AND THE CABINET MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS IN THE BACK GROUND.
TRAIL #213 AS IT HEADS DOWN TO THE CARS.
