By Sandy Compton
It’s 6:30 in the morning in the Stanley Basin and we are glassing a freshly whitened valley surrounded by sage hills. Air temperature is 20 ° F. The small herd of elk we just passed breath steam in the cold air, and snow is drifting out of the sky even as clouds rise [...]
Spanning the Idaho/Montana border, the Scotchmans are one of the last, and largest, wild areas in our region. We conduct education, outreach and stewardship activities to preserve the rugged, scenic and biologically diverse 88,000 acre Scotchman Peaks Roadless Area. We believe the Scotchman Peaks deserve congressional designation as Wilderness for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations.
Monthly Archives: May 2010
Wild Idaho was a wildly good time.
May 24th, 2010
Further confessions of a reformed couch potato: Why.
May 20th, 2010
In the beginning, there was stone . . . and then, came the ice.
If you have never hiked into the central Scotchmans, say to Sawtooth or the Melissa Crag or Davis Point, it might be hard to imagine what the place holds for us who have — and for those who will — and why [...]
Friends don’t let Friends lose silent auction items
May 18th, 2010
At the May 12 State of the Scotchmans gathering at the Panida in Sandpoint, one of our Friends won a silent auction package containing a gift certificate donated by All Seasons Garden and Floral in Kootenai. On the way out the door that evening, the envelope with the certificate “jumped ship.” The next day, the [...]
Summer Season Hike Kickoff Party May 26 at Ivano’s
May 18th, 2010
The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness 2010 summer hike series begins Saturday, May 29 with the Blue Creek Snowpack Check. To celebrate a brand new hiking season, Friends will gather Wednesday, May 26, at Ivano’s Wine Bar in Sandpoint beginning at 5:30.
Hike leaders and hikers will have a chance to meet and preview the summer [...]
Birds of the Scotchmans
May 17th, 2010
The Scotchman Peaks elevation profile, proximity to Lake Pend O’reille and many micro-climates create diverse habitats. We see that in the forests and native plants, from Cedar lined tree bottoms and lush meadows to high alpine zones. The careful observer will also notice the abundant variety of birds who either visit or call the Scotchmans [...]
A fine evening for the State of the Scotchmans.
May 13th, 2010
Thank you to everyone who attended our annual State of the Scotchmans at the Panida May 12. It was a fine evening, highlighted by the music of Dawnya Clarine (www.dawnyaclarine.com), volunteer recognition and a silent auction that garnered over $700. Also shown were the wilderness movie Forever Wild and Andrew Klauss’ video made while climbing [...]
And the winners are …
May 10th, 2010
One of the great things about the annual State of the Scotchmans meeting (Wednesday, May 12 at 6 pm in Sandpoint’s Panida Theater) is the opportunity to recognize the folks who make the wheels go around. FSPW has a great base of volunteers who step in and step up when the needs and opportunities of [...]
Brass Lantern Award – Bill Martin
May 6th, 2010
At the recent Montana Wilderness Association convention Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Board member and Cabinet Resource Group founder Bill Martin was honored for his volunteer work with a “Brass Lantern Award.”
Here’s how MWA describes the Brass Lantern Award: “Each year, the Montana Wilderness Association presents Brass Lantern awards to honor members, friends, and supporters [...]
Wilderness On Our Horizon
May 4th, 2010
This last weekend, the Montana Wilderness Association held their annual convention. The theme, “Wilderness on Our Horizon” is one that works on many levels.
With the nearly 700,000 acres of designated wilderness that are included in the “Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, Wilderness is on the legislative horizon in ways that have not been seen for [...]
All-new 2010 summer hike schedule is now online.
May 3rd, 2010
Looking for a nice long walk in the woods this summer? Or even a short one? Have we got a deal for you. Check out our newly posted 2010 Summer Hike Series There’s a little something for everyone, although, as usual, we are a bit short on “Easy” and “Moderate” hikes. Still, we have 14 [...]
Scotchman Peak
May 3rd, 2010
This is the classic hike up the namesake peak for our proposed wilderness. It’s short but steep. We will go at a slow pace so that steady effort is all that is needed to summit. Wide panoramas and stunning views of lake Pend Oreille, along with fall colors and possibly late season huckleberries will be [...]
Blue Creek Respite
May 3rd, 2010
Pack into and camp in the fabled East Fork Meadow for two nights. Spend the central day climbing Clayton Peak, reading under a tree or napping in your tent. Your choice. A chance for a down day in an up and down kind of place. This is a good opportunity for beginning backpackers in good [...]
Sawtooth Mountain
May 3rd, 2010
Depending on the condition of Blue Creek Road, we will begin in the East Fork of Blue Creek and climb to the summit of 6500 foot Sawtooth Mountain and exit through the South Fork of Ross Creek. If the Blue Creek Road is closed, we will begin and end at the Ross Creek Cedars. This [...]
Spar Peak
May 3rd, 2010
A good trail, but steep and quite strenuous, beginning in the lush Spar Creek canyon and leading to great views of the Scotchmans and Cabinets. Good possibilities of spotting elk and mountain goats on this hike.
Round trip 6 miles. Elevation gain 3200 feet.
“Secret Scotchmans” Photo Workshop Hike
May 3rd, 2010
Picture yourself through the Scotchmans. This three-day backpacking trip includes a photography workshop with a pro shooter. Experienced hikers and photographers only on this difficult/extreme hike. The resultant photos will be displayed in an exhibition later in the season.
Bear Peak Beginning Map and Compass Hike
May 3rd, 2010
This walk at the very north end of the Wilderness is a pretty mild hike for the Scotchmans, but there can be some bushwhacking (no trail on this one). For those not conversant with topo maps and compasses, we’ll do a bit of a workshop on map reading from the top.
Round trip, 2 miles: Elevation [...]
Ross Creek Falls
May 3rd, 2010
Hike through the Ross Creek Cedar grove and past to the Ross Creek Falls in the upper reaches of the South Fork of Ross Creek. A lovely hike through old growth and a cool way to spend a summer day.
Round trip: 6 + miles. Elevation gain, 1500 feet.
Star Peak/Pillick Ridge Full Moon Overnighter
May 3rd, 2010
We will hike to Star Peak lookout and then east along Pillick Ridge to camp under the full moon. Magnificent views of the Cabinets, both East and West and the Clark Fork River Valley. We will exit to the Bull River valley via Pillick Ridge Trail. Water is a challenge on this route. One spring [...]
Star Peak Hike and Trail Work Day.
May 3rd, 2010
This is a tough hike with over 4,000 feet of elevation gain in 5 miles but worth every bit of it when you get to the old fire lookout on top. More information at www.scotchmanpeaks.org/hiking/self-guided-hikes/star-peak-via-big-eddy-trail/.
Round trip,10 miles ±. Elevation gain 4140 feet.
Note: This hike will be in conjunction with a FSPW/Forest Service cooperative trail work [...]
Little Spar Lake
May 3rd, 2010
A moderate hike though the lush Spar Creek canyon, a fine example of interior rain forest, brings us to sparkling, green Little Spar Lake, one of the best overnight options in the Scotchmans.
Distance: 8 miles round trip. Elevation gain. 2200 feet
Upcoming Guided Hikes
Additional Pages
Extras & Goodies
Scotchmans on Film
Check out the trailers for two soon-to-be-released documentary films by Wildman Pictures about the Scotchman Peaks!
En Plein Air captures the experiences of artists during a 5 day trek through the mountains. Grass Routes tells the story of the Friends of Scotchman Peaks' efforts to achieve official wilderness designation for this scenic wild area. Don't miss them!
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Our Thanks To:
- Mountain Meadows
- Merriweather Inn
- Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce
- Eichardts
- Outdoor Experience
- Pend d'Oreille Winery
- Common Knowledge Organic Cafe & Bookstore
- Keokee Publishing
- River Journal
- Only In Clark Fork
- The StoryTelling Company
- The Cinnabar Foundation
- St. Croix Printing
- Blue Creek Press
- Woodland RV Park
- Kally Thurman's Outskirts Galley
- Greasy Fingers Bikes n Repair
- Endow-Bio, Inc