TWO MOUTH LAKES, WIGWAMS
TWO MOUTH LAKES TO THE WIGWAMS HIGH TRAVERSE
EVENT TYPE: Hike, Backpack and Scramble
DISTANCE: 9 miles RT
ELEVATION: Trail high point 1770' gain. High point to Lower Lake 365' loss.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
MAPS: IPNF - Kaniksu N.F., USGS - Roman Nose, ID
GPS: 48° 43’ 13.3”N 116° 37’ 30.3”W
DISTANCE: 9 miles RT
ELEVATION: Trail high point 1770' gain. High point to Lower Lake 365' loss.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
MAPS: IPNF - Kaniksu N.F., USGS - Roman Nose, ID
GPS: 48° 43’ 13.3”N 116° 37’ 30.3”W
DESCRIPTION:
The trail skirts over towards the Peak Creek drainage and does a switchback to the SE. Once back in the Slide Creek drainage, the trail follows Slide Creek all the way to the lakes basin. Many times along this trail, the USFS has built walkways to protect the many small streams and marsh areas. At about 3.75 miles in, the trail reaches the high point at 6150'.
As the trail drops down into the Two Mouth Lakes Basin, you know you are in a special place. Its only 1/2 a mile to the lower lake, so bear right at the "Y". The Two Mouth's basin is huge, with towering peaks, rolling granite fields, and the sense of seclusion. Lower Two Mouth is unique in that it has several bays that jut away from the main body, and hold many photo ops. Please take care to not disturb the shore line and vegetation. At some time you will get a glimpse of a towering peak with a vertical north face to the NNE. This is a peak along a long ridge that runs NW to The Wigwams. Plan on scrambling this peak.
Back at the lakes basin, the upper lake is a nearly round lake that is bigger and deeper than the lower lake. If you remember the view of the beehive dome from the parking area, you can stand on it with little effort. But its the granite field towards Harrison Peak that will require your presence. This nearly level field is unique in the Selkirks. Its about the size of two football fields, but much prettier. Scattered around the field are VW size boulders and every once in a while, a small Sub-Alpine Fir is circled by a mat of greenery that will amaze you. This granite field is unique and should not be missed.
Harrison Peak stands to the south, and the hook nose is very obvious.
As the trail drops down into the Two Mouth Lakes Basin, you know you are in a special place. Its only 1/2 a mile to the lower lake, so bear right at the "Y". The Two Mouth's basin is huge, with towering peaks, rolling granite fields, and the sense of seclusion. Lower Two Mouth is unique in that it has several bays that jut away from the main body, and hold many photo ops. Please take care to not disturb the shore line and vegetation. At some time you will get a glimpse of a towering peak with a vertical north face to the NNE. This is a peak along a long ridge that runs NW to The Wigwams. Plan on scrambling this peak.
Back at the lakes basin, the upper lake is a nearly round lake that is bigger and deeper than the lower lake. If you remember the view of the beehive dome from the parking area, you can stand on it with little effort. But its the granite field towards Harrison Peak that will require your presence. This nearly level field is unique in the Selkirks. Its about the size of two football fields, but much prettier. Scattered around the field are VW size boulders and every once in a while, a small Sub-Alpine Fir is circled by a mat of greenery that will amaze you. This granite field is unique and should not be missed.
Harrison Peak stands to the south, and the hook nose is very obvious.
DIRECTIONS:
From the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge NW of Bonners Ferry, drive 1.5 miles north on West Side Road (417) to the Myrtle Creek Road #633. Turn left (west) for 10 miles bearing left to the trailhead.
OPTION #1:
Kent Ridge
If you decide to the scramble this peak, look for the second "gully" to the left, from the cliffs edge. Its safer. As you summit the ridge at 7001', the views intensify beyond expectations. Kent Lake lies 1358' below, while Kent Peak 7243' lies NW of the lake. Now the real fun starts. Continue along this ridge due west as far as desired. Along the trail there's an old snag lying on the ground. Its twisted and hollow, and one can imagine it being a giant's esophagus that's been ripped out and discarded. But lets continue west on this ridge. You will come to an open area on the ridge that sports one of the most spectacular views in the American Selkirks. You will be looking due south down the Selkirk Crest. All the major peaks are lined up like zipper teeth. Don't miss this view.
If you decide to the scramble this peak, look for the second "gully" to the left, from the cliffs edge. Its safer. As you summit the ridge at 7001', the views intensify beyond expectations. Kent Lake lies 1358' below, while Kent Peak 7243' lies NW of the lake. Now the real fun starts. Continue along this ridge due west as far as desired. Along the trail there's an old snag lying on the ground. Its twisted and hollow, and one can imagine it being a giant's esophagus that's been ripped out and discarded. But lets continue west on this ridge. You will come to an open area on the ridge that sports one of the most spectacular views in the American Selkirks. You will be looking due south down the Selkirk Crest. All the major peaks are lined up like zipper teeth. Don't miss this view.
HAZARDS:
Some parts of the trail are soggy, so use care not to damage these sensitive areas.
Along the shore line be extra care full of this sensitive area..
Along the shore line be extra care full of this sensitive area..
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
The Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, the Purcell Trench,Myrtle Peak, Harrison Lake & Peak, Kent Lake ridge, The Wigwams, and the Two Mouth Lakes basin.
R & P:
Jalapeños, Mr. Sub, Eichardt’s in Sandpoint
PLAN YOUR TRIP:
PHOTO GALLERY
BECAUSE OF LOGGING, THE ACTUAL TRAIL STARTS UP THIS LOGGING ROAD. THE GRANITE DOME IS CALLED MYRTLE’S TURTLE
HARRISON PEAK FROM ALONG THE TRAIL TO TWO MOUTH LAKES AREA
A HIGH PROMINENCE ABOVE KENT LAKE THAT YOU GET TO SCRAMBLE
ALONG THE EAST TO WEST RIDGE LINE TO THE WIGS
HARRISON PEAK AND OTHER PEAKS INCLUDING THE TWINS OF THE SEVEN SISTERS
THE APPROACH TO NEAR THE CAMP SITE
A SIDE RIDGE ALONG THE EAST TO WEST RIDGE
THE PREVIOUS IMAGE RIDGE ON THE LEFT
NEAR THE CAMP SITE WITH HARRISON PEAK & SOME OF THE SEVEN SISTERS
CHRIS COMING UP THE LAST SECTION TO THE CAMP SITE
THE WIGWAMS AT SUNSET FROM THE CAMP SITE
THE MORNING SUNRISE NEAR CAMP SITE WITH THE SEVEN SISTERS IN BACK
A SOUTH TO NORTH RIDGE ALONG THE EAST TO NORTH ROUTE
AS YOU COME TO THESE TREES, DESCEND AROUND THEM, REASCEND AND CONTINUE
LARGE PROMINENCES THAT WE AVOIDED BY DROPPING BELOW
WALK DOWN TO THIS WALL AND DROP DOWN AROUND IT
THE WALL FROM BELOW
THE ROUTE IS ALONG THE ROCK FACE ON LEFT IN THE GRASS
A HOLE IN THE SUMMIT BLOCK
COOL ROCKS JUST PAST THE WALL
LION HEAD AND ITS NEARBY PEAKS, LOOKING NNE
ALONG THE WIGS ROUTE, WITH THE WALL BACK LEFT
THE EDGE. FROM HERE TO THE WIGS IS ALONG THIS ROUTE
THE WIGS ARE AT THE END OF THIS RIDGE LINE
