PYRAMID lake 6100' and BALL LAKES 6610'
TRAIL #43
PYRAMID LAKE 6100' AND BALL LAKES 6610'
TRIALS #13 & 43
EVENT TYPE: Hike, Backpack and Mountain Bike
DISTANCE: Pyramid Lake 2 miles RT, Ball Lakes 5 miles RT. (P. Pass 2.7 m & 1300')
ELEVATION: Trail Head 5920', 798' gain to Ball Lakes
DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
MAPS: IPNF-Kaniksu N. F., WSGS-Pyramid Lake
GPS: 48° 48’ 19.7”N 116° 35’ 57.7”W
RANGER DISTRICT: Bonners Ferry R.D. 208.267.5561
BONNERS FERRY COUNTY SHERIFF: 911 OR 208.267.3151
DISTANCE: Pyramid Lake 2 miles RT, Ball Lakes 5 miles RT. (P. Pass 2.7 m & 1300')
ELEVATION: Trail Head 5920', 798' gain to Ball Lakes
DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
MAPS: IPNF-Kaniksu N. F., WSGS-Pyramid Lake
GPS: 48° 48’ 19.7”N 116° 35’ 57.7”W
RANGER DISTRICT: Bonners Ferry R.D. 208.267.5561
BONNERS FERRY COUNTY SHERIFF: 911 OR 208.267.3151
DESCRIPTION:
The cool thing about these lakes are how easy and family friendly they are. From the trailhead take Trail #13 for .5 miles and turn left (SW) onto trail #43 for 1 mile. As you approach the lake the views of the surrounding walls are very picturesque. Pyramid Lake is shaped kinda like an hour glass. Spend some time and skirt the shore line on the right to get great views of the upper portion of the lake and the great walls. I think, but am not sure, that the lake may have been named after a pyramid rock in the lake along it's north shore.
Return to the base of the lake and continue around it's NE end to the trail that scales the great wall. Once above the wall, you can go due west up to an unnamed peak where people have built a wind shelter for sleeping. Return to the trail and head right (south) for about .5 miles to the Upper Ball Lake.. Retrace your steps to get back to your cars. On the descent of the wall at the second switchback, carefully walk to the edge and look down the face of the great wall. Because the wall is so steep the trees that grow out of the wall, grow very close to the wall for their entire length. Once at the lake, spend some time enjoying the views before you head down the main trail to the cars.
Return to the base of the lake and continue around it's NE end to the trail that scales the great wall. Once above the wall, you can go due west up to an unnamed peak where people have built a wind shelter for sleeping. Return to the trail and head right (south) for about .5 miles to the Upper Ball Lake.. Retrace your steps to get back to your cars. On the descent of the wall at the second switchback, carefully walk to the edge and look down the face of the great wall. Because the wall is so steep the trees that grow out of the wall, grow very close to the wall for their entire length. Once at the lake, spend some time enjoying the views before you head down the main trail to the cars.
OPTION #1:
Along the trail to Ball Lakes, you will be hiking the beautiful SW wall above Pyramid Lake. Enjoy the views here. As you summit the wall trail, Ball Lakes are further SW.
Once over the top, turn right (west), and hike to the summit above the NW corner of Pyramid Lake. Here you will find a stacked rock shelter, and incredible views across the Pack River, and the Seven Sisters.
From here, you can walk the high ridge south to above Ball Lakes, or retrace your steps down to the main trail to Ball Lakes.
Once over the top, turn right (west), and hike to the summit above the NW corner of Pyramid Lake. Here you will find a stacked rock shelter, and incredible views across the Pack River, and the Seven Sisters.
From here, you can walk the high ridge south to above Ball Lakes, or retrace your steps down to the main trail to Ball Lakes.
OPTION #2:
Once at the Ball Lakes, head to the lower lake, and notice the ridge line on the SE end of the lake. Scramble up to this ridge WNW above the lower lake to the unnamed summit. From here head north until you are above the Upper Ball Lake. In less then .5 miles you will be at another lesser summit on this ridge. Head east down the ridge line for about 700 feet before it turns left for another 700+ feet to the unnamed summit above the SW end of Pyramid Lake.
From here head ESE to the main trail back to Pyramid Lake.
BE AWARE, THIS ROUTE CAN BE HAZARDOUS, AS THERE IS NO TRAIL.
From here head ESE to the main trail back to Pyramid Lake.
BE AWARE, THIS ROUTE CAN BE HAZARDOUS, AS THERE IS NO TRAIL.
OPTION #3:
From Ball Lake, you can head west along the Pacific Northwest Trail for about 2 miles to an area to view Lion Head Mountain to the north?
From the lower lake, walk around the south face and scramble up to a deep notch in the ridge. Once here, traverse across the south face to the ridge
running SW until you get the view you want for lunch.
Log onto. https://www.pnt.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2019-PNT-Overview-Maps-FWV.pdf
From the lower lake, walk around the south face and scramble up to a deep notch in the ridge. Once here, traverse across the south face to the ridge
running SW until you get the view you want for lunch.
Log onto. https://www.pnt.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2019-PNT-Overview-Maps-FWV.pdf
DIRECTIONS:
From the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, drive north 10 miles to the Trout Creek Road #634. Turn left (west) and drive 9 miles to the trailhead.
HAZARDS:
This is a pretty gentle hike to Pyramid Lake. Take your kids.
The route to Upper & Lower Ball Lakes is up the SE wall. From Pyramid Lake, it looks daunting. But it’s actually a nice protected walk. Don’t miss it. But if you have children along, be aware of the cliffs. PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN WHILE ON THE ASCENT OF THE GREAT WALL.
The route to Upper & Lower Ball Lakes is up the SE wall. From Pyramid Lake, it looks daunting. But it’s actually a nice protected walk. Don’t miss it. But if you have children along, be aware of the cliffs. PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN WHILE ON THE ASCENT OF THE GREAT WALL.
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Pyramid Peak, Pyramid Pass, Long Canyon, Long Mountain P. & L., Parker Peak, Fisher Peak, and Trout Lake,
R & P:
Jalapeños, Mr. Sub, Burger Express, Eichardt’s in Sandpoint
PLAN YOUR TRIP:
PHOTO GALLERY
NORTH END OF PYRAMID LAKE
FROM A VIEW POINT ABOVE PYRAMID LAKE, ON THE GREAT WALL TO BALL LAKES
PYRAMID PEAK 7355’ FROM LONG MOUNTAIN TRAIL
ONE DAY, AFTER SUMMITING PYRAMID PEAK, WE RACED DOWN TO PYRAMID LAKE TO CAPTURE THE FLEETING SUNSET ON THE LAKE.
UPPER BALL LAKE
ICE BERG ON LOWER BALL LAKE
A PANO OF THE LOWER BALL LAKE ON OUR RETURN HIKE.
THE LUNAR LANDSCAPE SOUTH OF BALL LAKES
ALONG THE NE FORK OF THE SELKIRK CREST
CHRIS EXAMINING A NEW LUNAR LANDSCAPE
CHRIS WALKING ON WHAT HE CALLS “LUNAR LANDSCAPE” ON THE RIDGE
SOUTH OF PYRAMID LAKES
SW OF BALL LAKES IS THIS VERY SCENIC RIDGE LINE HIKE.
IN THE BACKGROUND IS LIONS HEAD PEAK 7288’ IN THE CLOUDS
