Roughly 60 miles south of Canada, the 88,000 acre Scotchman Peaks roadless area spans the Idaho-Montana border. Since the 1970s, when the U.S. Forest Service carried out extensive evaluations of lands suitable for wilderness, this rugged, scenic and biologically diverse portion of the Cabinet Mountains has been managed for its wilderness potential. The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness believe now is the time to preserve the Scotchmans, one of the last, and largest, wild areas in our region.

Hiking Schedule

The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness is proud to present our current Guided Hikes series.  We have a hike for everyone, from easy family hikes to overnight trips for experienced bushwhackers. Come join us for one of our organized hikes and see first hand why the Scotchmans deserve the protection of wilderness designation. 

Group size is limited and reservations are required.  To sign up contact the hike leader listed. 

Below this Hiking Schedule is a map with a key that references the trail heads.   If you can’t make one of these scheduled hikes, be sure to visit our “Self-Guided Hikes” page.

Please Note:  On occasion circumstances force us to change this schedule.  If you intend on joining us for any of these Guided Hikes, be SURE to sign up in advance and also re-confirm with the hike leader a day or so before the hike in case of any unavoidable last minute changes.

Click Here for a more printer friendly version of just the hike schedule

Rating Key: E = Easy M = Moderate S = Strenuous D = Difficult-Experienced Only
Hike Date Rating Hike Name Hike Leader
03/13/10 - Saturday S Star Peak Jacob Styer

This snowshoe 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.

Contact: Jacob Styer    jacob@scotchmanpeaks.org   

03/20/10 - Saturday S+ Goat Peak Jim/Sandii Mellen

This trail has been called the steepest trail in Idaho. Although the hike leader has found a steeper one, it is still formidable. The views are fabulous almost the whole way and the sense of group exhilaration upon reaching the summit is a memorable experience. Be prepared for a full day and ready for any conditions. Snowshoes are recommended, but some crazies ski it every year. Round Trip, 7 miles. Elevation gain, 4,000 feet ±.

Contact: Jim/Sandii Mellen    jimnsandii@gmail.com    (208) 265-5621

04/24/10 - Saturday S Scotchman Peak Jim/Sandii Mellen

This trip is for adventurous people. Although the trail suffered numerous blow-downs in October, 2009, the trees have all been cut. There are a few places where the root masses made craters in the trails but it is passable. Since the road is usually snowed-in, the trip length will be extended by 2.5 miles each way. Equipment can include snowshoes, Telemark skis, snowboards, or AT gear. Be prepared for conditions ranging from hot and sunny to a full-on blizzard. But above all, be prepared to have a fabulous adventure! Round trip, 12 miles. Elevation gain, 3700 feet.

Contact: Jim/Sandii Mellen    jimnsandii@gmail.com    (208) 265-5621

 

Can't make one of our organized hikes?  Check out our Self-Guided Hikes page for information on several popular trails.  We recommend that you pick up a high-quality (and free) map at one of the local retailers listed on our Maps Page for accurate trailhead listings to locate the appropriate starting point.  Match it up with the hike described above.

More information on each of these trails may be found from the Forest Service or in the book "Trails Of The Wild Cabinets" available from Keokee Press.

Click on the map for a larger view

Map of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness

For additional large sized, high resolution maps that you can download and print visit our "Maps" page