WEST FORK LAKE TRAIL #347
WEST FORK LAKE, MOUNTAIN 6416' & LOOKOUT TOWER TRAIL #347
EVENT TYPE: Hike, Backpack and Scramble
DISTANCE:12 miles RT to the lake, another 3/4 of a mile to the summit and lookout tower.
ELEVATION: 720' gain to high point-1170' loss to West Fork Cabin-1145' giant to W.F.Lake- 1140' to summit & lookout tower. Gain total=3005'. Loss=1170'
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
MAPS: IPNF-Kaniksu N.F., USGS-Smith Peak, Shorty Peak & Caribou Creek
GPS: 48° 51’ 54.0”N 116° 44’ 19.8”W
RANGER DISTRICT: Bonners Ferry R.D. 208.267.5561
DISTANCE:12 miles RT to the lake, another 3/4 of a mile to the summit and lookout tower.
ELEVATION: 720' gain to high point-1170' loss to West Fork Cabin-1145' giant to W.F.Lake- 1140' to summit & lookout tower. Gain total=3005'. Loss=1170'
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
MAPS: IPNF-Kaniksu N.F., USGS-Smith Peak, Shorty Peak & Caribou Creek
GPS: 48° 51’ 54.0”N 116° 44’ 19.8”W
RANGER DISTRICT: Bonners Ferry R.D. 208.267.5561
DESCRIPTION:
The hardest part of this nice hike is the drive. For the most part, this trail wonders south to the tower. Begin this trail on Trail #102 for .7 of a mile to Hidden Lake. Its steep at the beginning for .2 mile but starts to level off by the lake. Across Hidden Lake, stands Joe Peak. Circle Hidden Lake on the NE side and steadily climb for about a mile to a junction with Trail #21. Bear right and hike down to the West Fork Cabin at 4625'. Continue south for .3 of a mile and bear right at the junction onto Trail # 357 towards West Fork Lake & Peak.
Follow the West Fork Smith Creek for 2.5 miles to the West Fork Lake. Walk the west side of the lake and notice a faint trail heading up to the summit and lookout tower. This trail is about .75 of a mile to the tower. The old Fire Lookout Tower, stands on a ridge line that is about 3 miles long and mostly level. Explore the tower and wonder the ridge both ways, to experience a beautiful ridge line. To the NW the trail wonders above Middle Caribou Lake on the way to the Upper Caribou Lake that sits right on top of the ridge. The Middle Caribou Lake is a nice lake to visit while up north on the ridge line.
Don't miss this ridge line.
Follow the West Fork Smith Creek for 2.5 miles to the West Fork Lake. Walk the west side of the lake and notice a faint trail heading up to the summit and lookout tower. This trail is about .75 of a mile to the tower. The old Fire Lookout Tower, stands on a ridge line that is about 3 miles long and mostly level. Explore the tower and wonder the ridge both ways, to experience a beautiful ridge line. To the NW the trail wonders above Middle Caribou Lake on the way to the Upper Caribou Lake that sits right on top of the ridge. The Middle Caribou Lake is a nice lake to visit while up north on the ridge line.
Don't miss this ridge line.
DIRECTIONS:
From Bonners Ferry drive north on 2/95, 15 miles to Hwy #1. Turn left (west) onto #1 thru Copeland and on to the West Fork Road (417) across the KootenaI River. Once on West Side Road, head north for 9 miles on a paved road which becomes FR #281 Smith Creek. From here drive 1.3 miles and bear right on Road 655 towards Hidden Lake. Go 2.5 miles passing the Shorty Peak turnoff and bear left at Road #2545. Drive about 3 miles and bear right up a hill to the trailhead.
HAZARDS:
The drive, it’s long, but beautiful.
Boggy Trail, a few steep sections, so much beauty you won’t want to leave
Boggy Trail, a few steep sections, so much beauty you won’t want to leave
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Hidden Lake, Red Top Mt., Shorty & Lone Tree Peak, Joe Lake, the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, Myrtle Falls, and Smith Creek Falls.
R & P:
Jalapeños, Mr. Sub, Eichardt’s in Sandpoint
PLAN YOUR TRIP:
PHOTO GALLERY
WEST FORK LAKE, RIDGE, & LOOKOUT TOWER
BOARDWALKS PROTECT WET AREAS.
WEST FORK RIDGE LOOKING NW
WEST FORK MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT TOWER
WEST FORK LOOKOUT TOWER
LION HEAD AND SURROUNDING PEAK FROM INSIDE THE TOWER
A VIEW OF THE RIDGE NORTH OF THE TOWER. DO NOT MISS THIS EASY WALK
IMAGE BY CHRIS HERATH
DESCENDING THE TOWER
CHRIS PAUSING ON THE WEST FORK RIDGE LOOKING NORTH
