WEST FORK LAKE, MOUNTAIN 6416' & LOOKOUT TOWER TRAIL #347
EVENT TYPE: Hike, Backpack and Scramble
DISTANCE: about 7 miles RT to the lake, another 3/4 of a mile to the summit and lookout tower.
ELEVATION: W.F.Lake- 1667'
ACRES: 11.2
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
BOUNDARY COUNTY SHERIFF: CALL 911 FIRST or 208.267.3151
IDAHO PANHANDLE NATIONAL FOREST/ALERTS
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices
DESCRIPTION:
The hardest part of this nice hike is the drive from Rathdrum. it is a 2.5 hour drive.
Begin this hike on Trail #21 for about a mile on an easy grade, and across 4 boardwalks to the junction with Trail #347.
At the junction, turn left for 3 miles to West Fork Lake.
Trail #347 has one bridge just after the junction. Along Trail #347 you will cross 15 boardwalks that protect the moist environments. There are many switchbacks on Trail #347.
Once at the lake, you will find it’s shoreline is to swampy to walk near. Stay on the dry paths at the lake.
Begin this hike on Trail #21 for about a mile on an easy grade, and across 4 boardwalks to the junction with Trail #347.
At the junction, turn left for 3 miles to West Fork Lake.
Trail #347 has one bridge just after the junction. Along Trail #347 you will cross 15 boardwalks that protect the moist environments. There are many switchbacks on Trail #347.
Once at the lake, you will find it’s shoreline is to swampy to walk near. Stay on the dry paths at the lake.
OPTION #1
To gain the ridge that the old fire lookout stands on, walk back to the junction where you turned left to the lake, and turn left up the trail for about .5 miles.
WHEN YOU ACCESS THE RIDGE, MARK THIS POINT CAREFULLY. IT WILL BE YOUR RETURN ROUTE.
If you turn left, the tower is a little over .2 miles. You can explore this INCREDIBLE ridge SSE for as long as you like.
Return to your trail marker and head back to the lake.
WHEN YOU ACCESS THE RIDGE, MARK THIS POINT CAREFULLY. IT WILL BE YOUR RETURN ROUTE.
If you turn left, the tower is a little over .2 miles. You can explore this INCREDIBLE ridge SSE for as long as you like.
Return to your trail marker and head back to the lake.
OPTION #2
To further extend your hike on this ridge, continue NNW past yourTRAIL MARKER, and walk the ridge top out to a view of Middle and Upper Caribou Lakes.
Look for a descent route (no trail) down to Middle Lake, if you want to go there.
Continue NNW enjoying easily one of the most magnificent ridge walks in our area.
It is your choice to drop down 363v to the Middle Lake.
Continue NNW to Upper Caribou Lake at about .4 of a mile past Middle lake.
Upper Caribou Lake sits right on the ridge, and is a good place for lunch.
Look for a descent route (no trail) down to Middle Lake, if you want to go there.
Continue NNW enjoying easily one of the most magnificent ridge walks in our area.
It is your choice to drop down 363v to the Middle Lake.
Continue NNW to Upper Caribou Lake at about .4 of a mile past Middle lake.
Upper Caribou Lake sits right on the ridge, and is a good place for lunch.
DIRECTIONS:
From Bonners Ferry drive north on 95, 15 miles to Hwy #1. Turn left (west) onto Hwy #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.
Stay on FR #281 to a poorly marked junction with FR #2446, and bear right to the end of the road and its parking area.
Stay on FR #281 to a poorly marked junction with FR #2446, and bear right to the end of the road and its parking area.
HAZARDS:
The drive, is long, but beautiful.
Boggy and rocky trail requires some care.
So much beauty you won’t want to leave.
Boggy and rocky trail requires some care.
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, Burger Express, Eichardt’s in Sandpoint
PHOTO GALLERY
CHRIS SHOOTING A SMALL CASCADE NEAR THE JUNCTIONS OF TRAILS 21 & 347
NOT TOO FAR UP FROM THE TRAIL JUNCTION,
THE WALK IS THRU 4' TO 8' DIAMETER GIANT WESTERN RED CEDARS
IMAGE BY CHRIS HERATH
THERE ARE 14 BOARDWALKS, LIKE THIS ONE ON TRAIL #347
BOARDWALKS PROTECT WET AREAS.
WEST FORK LAKE
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 NNW OF THE TOWER. DO NOT MISS THIS WALK
IMAGE BY CHRIS HERATH
DESCENDING THE TOWER
CHRIS PAUSING ON THE WEST FORK RIDGE LOOKING NORTH
THE FAMOUS AMERICAN SELKIRKS GRANITE
MIDDLE CARIBOU LAKE FROM WEST FORK'S NNE RIDGE
IMAGE BY CHRIS HERATH
WHEN HIKING TUFF ROUTES, ALWAYS HAVE WELL PREPARED LUNCHES
THE RIDGE THAT THE TOWER IS ON, IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL. DO NOT MISS IT
IMAGE BY CHRIS HERATH
MIDDLE CARIBOU LAKE WITH THE NNE RIDGE ABOVE
UPPER CARIBOU LAKE
THE LOOKOUT TOWER FROM THE SOUTH
DID I MENTION THE GIANT WESTERN RED CEDARS?
