THE WIGWAMS 7033’
THE WIGWAMS 7033’
EVENT TYPE: Hike, scrambling, backpack, and climb.
DISTANCE: 4 miles RT + 2 miles to the high ridge with views of the Two Mouth Lakes area.
ELEVATION GAIN: 950' gain +
DIFFICULTY: The trail to the Wigs is easy, but beyond is difficult +
MAPS: IPNF, Kaniksu N.F., The Wigwams
GPS: 48°42’49” N -116°44’49” W
RANGER DISTRICT: Bonners Ferry R.D. 208.267.5561
BOUNDARY COUNTY SHERIFF: 911 or 208.267.3151
IDAHO PANHANDLE NATIONAL FOREST/ALERTS
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices
DISTANCE: 4 miles RT + 2 miles to the high ridge with views of the Two Mouth Lakes area.
ELEVATION GAIN: 950' gain +
DIFFICULTY: The trail to the Wigs is easy, but beyond is difficult +
MAPS: IPNF, Kaniksu N.F., The Wigwams
GPS: 48°42’49” N -116°44’49” W
RANGER DISTRICT: Bonners Ferry R.D. 208.267.5561
BOUNDARY COUNTY SHERIFF: 911 or 208.267.3151
IDAHO PANHANDLE NATIONAL FOREST/ALERTS
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices
DESCRIPTION:
Be aware, the last mile of this road to The Wigwams trailhead is a difficult road that all should use caution on. NO low clearance cars.
It's only about .5 miles to walk, to avoid the rough road.
This trail ascends thru a forest of Spruce and Subalpine Fir as it makes its way thru a broad basin with a ridge of granite spires. At about 1.5 miles in, the trail crosses the South Fork Lions Head Creek. In a short while, the trail starts to ascend 18 switchbacks. Here there is an opportunity to look into the South Fork Lions Creek basin, with Kent Peak 7243, in the background. The trail leaves the edge of the trees ridge and heads a short distance to The Wigwams summit via a notch. The small level area NE of the summit, has been used as a heliport in the past. On top notice the ridge running to the south then west is very photogenic. To the east, the jagged rocks along the ridge above Kent Creek are spectacular to say the least. The views all around are worth the hike, but it is the view south, down the spine of the American Selkirks that are unbelievable. All seven summits of the Seven Sisters are visible like teeth on a saw.
AS YOU HIKE NORTH, LOOK AROUND AND RETRACE YOUR STEPS ON THE WAY BACK. BUT STAY UP NEAR THE EDGE.
As you walk northish on the rocky ridge, stay near, but not too near the edge until it requires you to go around the gigantic blocks of rock. If at any time you don’t want to ascend a summit on the ridge, go around to your right, but go back up to the edge if the trail fades, or when you get around the blocks. The forest is tough going. The views are from the ridge.
The last summit above a wide gap in the extended ridge is the farthest you should go. Find a spot out of the wind, and enjoy the incredible 360° view.
To the north is Lion Head, 2 Unnamed peaks, and Smith Peak that dominate the sky line. Turn around and all the Seven Sisters, Chimney Rock, Mount Roothaan, Gunsight Peak, with Roman Nose on the East ridge, and line up for your view . Look SE as far as possible. Snowshoe Peak with its very close A Peak, in the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness, stand together.
It's only about .5 miles to walk, to avoid the rough road.
This trail ascends thru a forest of Spruce and Subalpine Fir as it makes its way thru a broad basin with a ridge of granite spires. At about 1.5 miles in, the trail crosses the South Fork Lions Head Creek. In a short while, the trail starts to ascend 18 switchbacks. Here there is an opportunity to look into the South Fork Lions Creek basin, with Kent Peak 7243, in the background. The trail leaves the edge of the trees ridge and heads a short distance to The Wigwams summit via a notch. The small level area NE of the summit, has been used as a heliport in the past. On top notice the ridge running to the south then west is very photogenic. To the east, the jagged rocks along the ridge above Kent Creek are spectacular to say the least. The views all around are worth the hike, but it is the view south, down the spine of the American Selkirks that are unbelievable. All seven summits of the Seven Sisters are visible like teeth on a saw.
AS YOU HIKE NORTH, LOOK AROUND AND RETRACE YOUR STEPS ON THE WAY BACK. BUT STAY UP NEAR THE EDGE.
As you walk northish on the rocky ridge, stay near, but not too near the edge until it requires you to go around the gigantic blocks of rock. If at any time you don’t want to ascend a summit on the ridge, go around to your right, but go back up to the edge if the trail fades, or when you get around the blocks. The forest is tough going. The views are from the ridge.
The last summit above a wide gap in the extended ridge is the farthest you should go. Find a spot out of the wind, and enjoy the incredible 360° view.
To the north is Lion Head, 2 Unnamed peaks, and Smith Peak that dominate the sky line. Turn around and all the Seven Sisters, Chimney Rock, Mount Roothaan, Gunsight Peak, with Roman Nose on the East ridge, and line up for your view . Look SE as far as possible. Snowshoe Peak with its very close A Peak, in the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness, stand together.
DIRECTIONS:
As I stated before, the road is really bad for the last mile to the trailhead.
You could park and walk, but it adds two miles RT. No lower clearance.
Drive 23 miles past Priest River on SH #57 and turn east towards Coolin. In about 5 1/4 miles turn east on the Cavanaugh Bay Road for 3.3 miles to the East Side Road. Its about 15 miles to the Two Mouth Lakes Road. On the Two Mouth Road, drive about 1/2 a mile and go left at the fork, crossing a creek and continue about 2 1/2 miles and go right. At about 2.9 miles near an Idaho Endowment Land sign go left and continue on FR #32 on a road with numerous switchbacks towards Klootch Mt.. In about 4.4 miles stay right onto Road 324 (not 325) and go up steeply to the trailhead.
The last 1.2 mile require a four wheel vehicle with high clearance and good tires. Don’t ruin your car. Walk it instead.
The “Trails of the Wild Selkirks” directions are wrong. Follow these.
You could park and walk, but it adds two miles RT. No lower clearance.
Drive 23 miles past Priest River on SH #57 and turn east towards Coolin. In about 5 1/4 miles turn east on the Cavanaugh Bay Road for 3.3 miles to the East Side Road. Its about 15 miles to the Two Mouth Lakes Road. On the Two Mouth Road, drive about 1/2 a mile and go left at the fork, crossing a creek and continue about 2 1/2 miles and go right. At about 2.9 miles near an Idaho Endowment Land sign go left and continue on FR #32 on a road with numerous switchbacks towards Klootch Mt.. In about 4.4 miles stay right onto Road 324 (not 325) and go up steeply to the trailhead.
The last 1.2 mile require a four wheel vehicle with high clearance and good tires. Don’t ruin your car. Walk it instead.
The “Trails of the Wild Selkirks” directions are wrong. Follow these.
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Priest Lake, Hunt Creek Falls, Lion Head Campground, Lions Creek Slides, Kent Lake's south ridge, and the incomparable view south to the American Selkirks Seven Sisters.
HAZARDS:
MY OPINION:
Because the Idaho Dept. of Lands don't want us on "their" land, they sabotage the roads so only large 4 wheel drive trucks with high clearance can access the trailheads in the area.
Extremely rough roads with car swallowing Kelly Humps.
Because the Idaho Dept. of Lands don't want us on "their" land, they sabotage the roads so only large 4 wheel drive trucks with high clearance can access the trailheads in the area.
Extremely rough roads with car swallowing Kelly Humps.
R & P:
Jalapeños, Mr. Sub, Burger Express, Eichardt’s in Sandpoint. Burger Express in Priest River.
PHOTO GALLERY
THE WIGWAMS (CLOSE TOP CENTER), AMERICAN SELKIRKS, IDAHO
AN ANCIENT HIKER ADMIRING THE VIEW OF THE SELKIRK CREST
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN IN THE DISTANCE
A VIEW OF OUR RIDGE ROUTE IN CENTER
SOMETIMES THE TREES STEAL THE PICTURE. DO YOU SEE THE HEART?
A GOURMET LUNCH IN THE WIGS.
IMAGE BY CHRIS HERATH
A HOLE IN THE WALL WITH THE WIGS
NEARING THE WIGWAMS ON THE WAY OUT
