If there are currently any Guided Hikes scheduled, you’ll find them here. You can find more information and a Map on our Current Hiking Schedule Page.
Please note the Difficulty Rating of each hike and choose hikes within your personal physical limits.
| Rating Key: E = Easy; M = Moderate; S = Strenuous; D = Difficult-Experienced Only |
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We will hike up the Ross Creek Cedars road 3.5 miles into the Ross Creek Cedars. An overlook on the way provides stunning views. We will wander along a one mile loop amongst the cedars before returning. Beginner level skill, but the overall length makes this suitable only for those with good conditioning.
Round trip: 8 ± miles. Elevation gain, 1200 feet.
Difficulty Rating: E-MA lady’s day in the great outdoors led by a great lady. Hike to and through Ross Creek Cedars in the quiet of winter. This is an opportunity for first-timers or many-timers. Snowshoes or skis necessary. FSPW has snowshoes to lend. Beginner level skill, but the overall length makes this suitable only for those with good conditioning.
Round trip: 7 ± miles. Elevation gain, 400 feet.
Difficulty Rating: E/MWe’ll follow the perimeter of the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness along the Lightning Creek Road. Depending on how far we can drive we may cross East Fork Creek and then follow its flood plain past the new trailhead, exploring a jumble of trees and boulders. The route will be out and back, total distance dependent upon how far we go before turning around. Cross-country skis or snowshoes will be needed. Bring a lunch.
Difficulty Rating: E/MThis is an all-day trip to the northeast corner of Bonner County and the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Area. The trip will focus on waterfowl on Lake Pend Oreille as well as upland winter birds and rarities in the Lightning Creek area. Be prepared to drive approximately 5 hours round-trip from Spokane and to walk on gravel roads approximately 2-3 miles. Bring WARM clothes, lunch, snacks, and water. Tentatively, we will meet in the Liberty Lake Albertson’s at 7:00AM and also at Sandpoint City Beach at 8:30AM. Contact the hike leader by February 18 if interested. This trip is dependent on weather and road conditions.
Difficulty Rating: E/MThis is a great XC ski, with wonderful views of Bull Lake and the Cabinet Mountains. It climbs steadily up on an old gated road past a mine vent from the Troy mine. Skis are required, (Skins/ snowshoes will be needed in some places). This will be an all-day trip and everyone should be prepared for it with layered clothing, food and water. We will go as far as everyone is willing to go.
Everyone should be prepared for any weather conditions, with adequate clothing, food, water, headlamps, skins for skis or snowshoes to change in to. Level of difficulty, “Very difficult.” Round trip, 12 miles. Elevation gain 2,000 to 3,000 feet.
Difficulty Rating: S+This snowshoe hike is quite strenuous and we will probably need every bit of winter sunlight to gain the summit and return to our cars before dark. We will be sticking to the main summer trail for the first 2/3 of the hike, but will probably need to use our off trail route finding skills to reach the summit of Star Peak.
Round trip:10 miles ±. Elevation gain 4140 feet.
Difficulty Rating: SThe sixth annual Goat Mountain Hop. Snowshoe (or ski/snowboard if you dare) one of the steepest trails in the region. Weather permitting, there will be great views of Lake Pend Oreille and Scotchman Peak. This 4,000 foot actual vertical climb is an extreme adventure for extremely fit folks.
Round trip: 7 miles; Elevation gain: 4,000 ±
Difficulty Rating: S+Snowshoe, ski or snowboard the tallest peak in the Scotchman Peaks and work off the excesses of Cinco de Mayo. Generally, the trailhead is inaccessible this time of year, adding 2.5 miles each way and 500 vertical (making a total of 4,200 vertical!). This is for the extremely fit adventurers only!
Round trip, 12 miles. Elevation gain, 4200 feet.
Difficulty Rating: S
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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