LOWER & UPPER STEVENS LAKE TRAIL #165
LOWER & UPPER STEVENS LAKES, ALPINE LAKES REGION, IDAHO
EVENT TYPE: Hiking, backpacking, camping, scrambling, and photography
DISTANCE: 3.7 miles RT to Lower Stevens, 5 miles RT to Upper Stevens Lake.
ELEVATION: 1580, gain to Lower, 1780 to Upper
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Moderately Difficult
MAPS: IPNF, LOLO N.F., IPNF, Stevens Lakes topo
GPS: Lower 47°43’36” N -115°75’96” W
Upper 47°42’80” N -115°76’25” W
RANGER DISTRICT: CDA River R.D. 208.769.3000
SHOSHONE COUNTY SHERIFF: CALL 911 FIRST or 208.556.1114
DISTANCE: 3.7 miles RT to Lower Stevens, 5 miles RT to Upper Stevens Lake.
ELEVATION: 1580, gain to Lower, 1780 to Upper
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Moderately Difficult
MAPS: IPNF, LOLO N.F., IPNF, Stevens Lakes topo
GPS: Lower 47°43’36” N -115°75’96” W
Upper 47°42’80” N -115°76’25” W
RANGER DISTRICT: CDA River R.D. 208.769.3000
SHOSHONE COUNTY SHERIFF: CALL 911 FIRST or 208.556.1114
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.
This trail starts south above Mullan, Idaho where the trailhead sits on an old railroad bed. Stevens Lakes trail goes up the left (east) side of Willow Creek on an old mining road. A short distance up the road, off to the right (west), is an old mine tunnel tucked onto the mountain. The road dwindles down to a trail that switchbacks a few times and becomes steep as it makes its way into a forest. The terrain flattens out where there used to be some plywood shacks the miner stayed in. Just past this forest, the trail breaks out into a clearing that offers great views of the cliffs above and a nice waterfall above the trails crossing. In the spring, look for a narrow section of the creek, about 50’ below the falls to cross. Once past the creek, the trail heads west on a large scree slope to a switchback that takes you back to the creek higher up. At this switchback, look to the east where the creek falls thru a split rock. Look closer up above and there are two more waterfalls.From here the trail steepens and often is slippery with mud.
In about 10 minutes the trail mellows thru a small forest until it pops out at the lake. There are camp site all along the north end of the lake.
To get to the upper upper lake, hike the right (west) shore line to the back of the lake. Look for a path near the rock outcropping that works its way up 300 verts to the lake. Off to the east along the shore line, is a photo op in every season, especially fall.
All the slopes above the lakes to the west, are slopes the Spokane Mountaineers instruct their students in glacier travel and ice axe arrest practice. After the instruction on Sunday, the instructors take the student south on the knife edge ridge to the summit.
This trail starts south above Mullan, Idaho where the trailhead sits on an old railroad bed. Stevens Lakes trail goes up the left (east) side of Willow Creek on an old mining road. A short distance up the road, off to the right (west), is an old mine tunnel tucked onto the mountain. The road dwindles down to a trail that switchbacks a few times and becomes steep as it makes its way into a forest. The terrain flattens out where there used to be some plywood shacks the miner stayed in. Just past this forest, the trail breaks out into a clearing that offers great views of the cliffs above and a nice waterfall above the trails crossing. In the spring, look for a narrow section of the creek, about 50’ below the falls to cross. Once past the creek, the trail heads west on a large scree slope to a switchback that takes you back to the creek higher up. At this switchback, look to the east where the creek falls thru a split rock. Look closer up above and there are two more waterfalls.From here the trail steepens and often is slippery with mud.
In about 10 minutes the trail mellows thru a small forest until it pops out at the lake. There are camp site all along the north end of the lake.
To get to the upper upper lake, hike the right (west) shore line to the back of the lake. Look for a path near the rock outcropping that works its way up 300 verts to the lake. Off to the east along the shore line, is a photo op in every season, especially fall.
All the slopes above the lakes to the west, are slopes the Spokane Mountaineers instruct their students in glacier travel and ice axe arrest practice. After the instruction on Sunday, the instructors take the student south on the knife edge ridge to the summit.
OPTION #1:
SUMMIT HIKE
From the upper lake, walk the right shore line, bearing right up hill. There is no trail, and be aware, this route is about 1400 verts on nearly a 47% slope. Once on the ridge top, turn left (south) staying on the spine all the way to the summit.
There are three descent routes.
1st is the way you ascended the peak. But please be aware, this is the most dangerous part of descending.
2nd is to circle around west above Lone Lake, and descend into the Upper Santuary on the west side.
3rd is to follow the old road on West Willow Ridge side of Lone Lake down to where the road drops East down to the trail to Lone Lake.
Be safe and do this hike/scramble clockwise only.
DO NOT DO THE LOOP COUNTER CLOCKWISE
From the upper lake, walk the right shore line, bearing right up hill. There is no trail, and be aware, this route is about 1400 verts on nearly a 47% slope. Once on the ridge top, turn left (south) staying on the spine all the way to the summit.
There are three descent routes.
1st is the way you ascended the peak. But please be aware, this is the most dangerous part of descending.
2nd is to circle around west above Lone Lake, and descend into the Upper Santuary on the west side.
3rd is to follow the old road on West Willow Ridge side of Lone Lake down to where the road drops East down to the trail to Lone Lake.
Be safe and do this hike/scramble clockwise only.
DO NOT DO THE LOOP COUNTER CLOCKWISE
OPTION #2:
THE SUMMIT FROM UPPER STEVENS LAKE.
From the upper lake, hike up to a low laying bench that heads towards the peak.
Scramble up under Stevens Peak in an obvious chute. Once up under the peak, turn right up a the knife edge ridge. Turn left on the ridge and scramble to the summit. BE AWARE..in early spring, these chutes can be avalanche chutes. This is a summer, fall route only.
From the upper lake, hike up to a low laying bench that heads towards the peak.
Scramble up under Stevens Peak in an obvious chute. Once up under the peak, turn right up a the knife edge ridge. Turn left on the ridge and scramble to the summit. BE AWARE..in early spring, these chutes can be avalanche chutes. This is a summer, fall route only.
OPTION #3:
ST. REGIS, STEVENS LAKES, AND STATE LINE RIDGE
How many times have you hiked onto Stevens Lakes, and wondered where the road goes as you enter the forest onto a trail, below the old mine site.
I did for years, but changed that n 4.17.2020.
Armed with a google map of the route, I turned up the road for 7 easy switchbacks from a logging operation. I was surprised at how quickly the switchbacks were behind me.
If you stay on the logging road, it skirts a clearcut and enters a forest that eventually leads you to the open State Line Ridge to Stevens Peak.
Or about the time you enter the forest mentioned above, you can cut up thru the clearcut to the west. At the top of the clear cut, enter the forest and head south for about .5 miles, where the terrain opens up.
From these options, you will come out of the forest along a long ridge to the CDA River District and the St. Joe River District.
As long as you stay on the ridge you are okay.
About .75 miles from the forest, you will come to the rock prominence you see above Upper Stevens Lake. This is a great spot for lunch.
If you decide to head to Stevens Peak on this ridge, USE EXTREME CAUTION.
How many times have you hiked onto Stevens Lakes, and wondered where the road goes as you enter the forest onto a trail, below the old mine site.
I did for years, but changed that n 4.17.2020.
Armed with a google map of the route, I turned up the road for 7 easy switchbacks from a logging operation. I was surprised at how quickly the switchbacks were behind me.
If you stay on the logging road, it skirts a clearcut and enters a forest that eventually leads you to the open State Line Ridge to Stevens Peak.
Or about the time you enter the forest mentioned above, you can cut up thru the clearcut to the west. At the top of the clear cut, enter the forest and head south for about .5 miles, where the terrain opens up.
From these options, you will come out of the forest along a long ridge to the CDA River District and the St. Joe River District.
As long as you stay on the ridge you are okay.
About .75 miles from the forest, you will come to the rock prominence you see above Upper Stevens Lake. This is a great spot for lunch.
If you decide to head to Stevens Peak on this ridge, USE EXTREME CAUTION.
DIRECTIONS:
Drive east on I-90 to exit #69, and turn left (north) over the freeway to the stop. Turn right (east) past Lucky Friday Mine on SH 10 for about .75 miles and bear right until the road crosses over the freeway. Continue up Willow Creek Road for about a mile to the trailhead.
Do not turn towards the Shoshone Park, go right.
Do not turn towards the Shoshone Park, go right.
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Lone Lake, Stevens Peak, Gold Hill, St. Regis Lakes, Cooper Lake, Shoshone Park and historical Mullan, Idaho
HAZARDS:
Some of the trail to Lower Stevens Lake is very slippery in wet conditions.
The trail from Upper Stevens Lake, up to the summit and down to Lone Lake are hazardous.
USE EXTREME CAUTION.
In OPTION #3, you should use EXTREME CAUTION PAST THE ROCK PROMINENCE ALONG THIS RIDGE.
The trail from Upper Stevens Lake, up to the summit and down to Lone Lake are hazardous.
USE EXTREME CAUTION.
In OPTION #3, you should use EXTREME CAUTION PAST THE ROCK PROMINENCE ALONG THIS RIDGE.
R & P:
Pizza Factory, 1313 Club, Brooks Hotel & Restaurant, City Limits Brew Pub, Fainting Goat, Smoke House BBQ & Saloon, Wallace Brewing Co., and Muchacho’s Tacis in Wallace. Radio Brewing, the Snake Pit, and Moontime.
PHOTO GALLERY
IN THE MID TO LATE 80’S, THE USFS DESIGNATED THE STEVENS PEAK AREA, THE “ALPINE LAKES REGION” BUT NEVER FOLLOWED THRU WITH ITS POSSIBLE WILDERNESS DESIGNATION.
STEVENS LAKES FROM STEVENS PEAK 6838’
LONE LAKE ON THE LEFT & U. & L. STEVENS LAKES ON RIGHT
SPLIT BY THE WILLOW RIDGE
EAST WILLOW CREEK’S MIDDLE HEADWALL FALLS
WILLOW CREEK WATERFALLS 11.9.2020
I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED THIS CEDAR TREE (CIRCLING CEDAR) FOR OVER 50 YEARS
IT STANDS/LIES ABOUT HALF WAY TO THE LOWER STEVENS LAKE.
I MUST TELL YOU ALL….SOME DO GOODER TRIED TO PUT THE GROWTH END
ON THE ROCK FOR THE WINTER, AND BROKE IT’S CORE.
THE CIRCLING CEDAR HAS DIED FROM IT’S INJURIES.
HOW SAD.
THE OLD CIRCLNG CEDAR TREE ALONG TRAIL #168. SHOT 11.9.2020
LOWER STEVENS LAKE IN EARLY SPRING
SKIING TO STEVENS PEAK IN 1984
THE TRAIL TO THE UPPER LAKE SHOWS ON THE RIGHT IN SUMMER & FALL
IN THE SPRING THIS AREA IS TOO WET.
FOLLOW THE BRAIDED TRAIL UP ON THE HILL SIDE.
WILDFLOWERS ALONG THE TRAIL TO THE UPPER LAKE
PANO OF UPPER STEVENS LAKE
AERIAL VIEW OF UPPER & LOWER STEVENS LAKES, 300 VERTS DIFFERENCE
UPPER STEVENS LAKE FALL COLORS
NANCY DOING YOGA AT LOWER STEVENS LAKE
UPPER STEVENS LAKE BELOW STEVENS PEAK IN MID SUMMER
UPPER STEVENS LAKE IN PRIME FALL COLOR
BACKCOUNTRY SKIER CURT ALMLI ON WAY TO STEVEN’S SUMMIT,
FROM WEST WILLOW RIDGE. 1983
SNOW GHOSTS ALONG WEST WILLOW RIDGE TO STEVENS PEAK
UPPER STEVENS LAKE FROM STATE LINE RIDGE 1984
DOES ANYONE SEE THE IMAGE OF A LADY LEANING BACK AGAINST THE PEAK, HOLDING A BABY? OR IS IT JUST ME?
HIKING TRAIL #16A, NEAR GOLD HILL, STEVENS PEAK IN DISTANCE, A.L.R.
THIS IMAGE WAS TAKEN 4.27.20 ON THE RIDGE BETWEEN ST. REGIS LAKES & STEVENS LAKES. STEVENS PEAK, TOP RIGHT CENTER. 8 MILES RT, 2700 VERTS TO THIS POINT.
THE BELOW ARE SOME HISTORICAL IMAGES
ON THE STEVENS PEAK AREA.
USUALLY I PUT HISTORICAL INFORMATION BEHIND SUBTITLES THAT YOU CAN DOUBLE CLICK ON.
BUT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TOO INTERESTING, AND NEEDS TO BE READ BY ALL STEVENS LAKES VISITORS,
TO ENHANCE THIER VISIT.
ON THE STEVENS PEAK AREA.
USUALLY I PUT HISTORICAL INFORMATION BEHIND SUBTITLES THAT YOU CAN DOUBLE CLICK ON.
BUT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TOO INTERESTING, AND NEEDS TO BE READ BY ALL STEVENS LAKES VISITORS,
TO ENHANCE THIER VISIT.
THE GREAT AVALANCHE OF 1903
ALL IMAGES BELOW ARE FROM THE
"BARNARD-STOCKBRIDGE PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION"
AND ARE HOUSED IN THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO DIGITAL ARCHIVES.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD DEPOT MUSEUM
FOR TURNING ME ON TO THE BELOW HISTORY.
THIS IS AN IMAGE OF THE OLD TRAIN REVERSE "S" SHAPED BRIDGE
THAT USED TO BE IN THE AREA OF THE TRAILHEAD FOR STEVENS LAKES.
THE CURRENT TRAILHEAD IS MARKED WITH A RED DOT.
THIS IMAGE OF THE ROTARY SNOW BLOWER, IS TO ILLUSTRATE THE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT USED TO CLEAR THE LINE.
THIS IMAGE IS FROM 1890 AND ILLUSTRATES THE EXTENT OF THE AVALANCHES DEBRIS THAT OCCURRED MANY TIMES ALONG THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAIL LINE
THE FOREST AROUND THE "S" BRIDGE, WAS BURNED IN 1890
A CLOSE UP OF THE TYPE ROTARY SNOW BLOWER USED TO CLEAR THE TRACKS
I INCLUDED THESE IMAGES TO SHOW YOU THE THEN AND NOW DIFFERENCE IN THE AREA OF THE STEVENS LAKES TRAILHEAD
AN IMAGE OF LOWER STEVENS LAKE AND PEAK FROM THE 1890'S
THE FIRE OF 1910 DESTROYED ALL THE TREES
