Guided hikes
We offer free group hikes in the Scotchmans all winter and summer long! We have hikes for all abilities–from easy family hikes to off-trail bushwhack adventures. All hikes are led by volunteers.
Trail Projects
Each summer, we restore trails in the Scotchmans so that people can continue to explore our wild backyard. We use crosscut saws, Pulaski’s, shovels, and teamwork to care for the trail. Join us for a trail project day to give back to the trails you love.
Events
We host events all year long throughout Idaho and Montana to build community around a love for the outdoors. Family fun in the summer, film festivals in the winter and wild trivia are just a few of the events you can look forward to.
event: Trail Project: Earth Day Celebration: Star Peak #999
Join us on a trail project for Earth Day 2024 celebration, where you can break a sweat, meet new friends, and give back to our wild backyard. You’ll help to clear downed trees, repair tread, enhance trail by trimming back plants and reduce user-created shortcuts on the trail. Hamburgers and hot dogs served at Big Eddy Campground afterwards. Wear sturdy …
event: Trail Project: Blacktail Creek Trail #997
Join us on a trail project where you can break a sweat, meet new friends, and give back to our wild backyard. You’ll help to clear downed trees, repair tread, enhance trail by trimming back plants, and reduce user-created shortcuts on the trail. Wear sturdy boots, carry lots of water, pack lunch and lots of snacks, dress in long pants, …
event: Clark Fork Highway Cleanup
Join Friends of Scotchman Peaks for our annual Adopt A Highway cleanup in Clark Fork, ID. We will meet at 10:00 am PST at Annie’s Orchard in Clark Fork. All supplies, drinks, and snacks will be provided. From Annie’s Orchard, we’ll work our 2 mile section heading west and will beautify this piece of highway in no time. Share this …
hike: Star Peak Viewpoint Hike
Friends of Scotchman Peaks is teaming up with Wild Montana to offer an early summer hike with big, sweeping views you normally wouldn’t expect until July. We’ll hike about halfway up Star Peak in the southern Scotchmans. It’s a big climb, but lots of switchbacks keep the grade mellow and provide the excuse to pause for beautiful vistas of the …
event: Trail Project: Regal Creek #556
Join us on a trail project where you can break a sweat, meet new friends, and give back to our wild backyard. You’ll help to clear downed trees, repair tread, remove water bars, and reduce user-created shortcuts on the trail. Wear sturdy boots, carry lots of water, pack lunch and lots of snacks, dress in long pants, long shirt, hat, …
event: Trail Project: Scotchman Peak #65: National Trails Day
Join FSPW and Spokane Mountaineers on a trail project for National Trails Day, where you can break a sweat, meet new friends, and give back to our wild backyard. You’ll help to clear downed trees for the early season logout. Wear sturdy boots, carry lots of water, pack lunch and lots of snacks, dress in long pants, long shirt, hat, …
event: Trail Project: Star Peak #999
Join us on a trail project where you can break a sweat, meet new friends, and give back to our wild backyard. You’ll help to clear downed trees, repair tread, enhance trail by trimming back plants and reduce user-created shortcuts on the trail. Wear sturdy boots, carry lots of water, pack lunch and lots of snacks, dress in long pants, …
hike: Hiking with Kids!
Friends of Scotchman Peaks and Kaniksu Land Trust are excited to host Rebecca Sanchez for a fabulous Hiking with Kids presentation. You won’t want to miss her stories and insight on hiking with kids in the backcountry or anywhere for that matter! She has lived and worked in some of the most treasured and beautiful landscapes around the country. She …
event: River Safety Workshop & Paddle
Join Friends of Scotchman Peaks and Kirk Keller for this exciting opportunity! This workshop will cover kayaking, paddle boarding, and rafting in rivers. You’ll learn how to have a fun AND safe experience on the water and maneuver those difficult spots on the river with ease. There is no fee for this workshop. Bring your PFD’s, kayaks, rafts, or whatever …
event: Trail Project: Goat Mountain #134
Join FSPW and Spokane Mountaineers on a trail project on Goat Mountain. This is a gem in the Scotchman Peaks area. A trail that has earned its name of Goat Mountain. We will help clear a log jam on the high ridgeline. We will all enjoy the hike and elevation gain together. Brag to your friends that you did a …
event: Trail Project: Goat Mountain #135
Join FSPW and Spokane Mountaineers on a trail project on Goat Mountain. This is a gem in the Scotchman Peaks area. A trail that has earned its name of Goat Mountain. We will help clear a log jam on the high ridgeline. We will all enjoy the hike and elevation gain together. Brag to your friends that you did a …
event: Trail Project: Spar Peak Overnight
Join FSPW and Kootenai National Forest for a few days of good work on the Spar Peak Trail! We’ll clear heavy brush and do tread work. Wear sturdy boots, carry lots of water, dress in long pants, long shirt, hat, sunblock, and bring your own work gloves. This will be a self supported backpack trip where we will overnight on …
hike: Tree ID/Forest Ecology Hike
Step into the enchanting world of forest ecology on our guided group hike up Pillick Ridge Trail, where you’ll discover the secrets of the trees that tower above us. Led by Jon Colby, Silviculture Forester, KNF Cabinet Ranger District, this immersive experience offers a unique opportunity to delve into the diverse ecosystems of our local forests. As we venture along …
event: Trail Project: Scotchman Peak #65
Join us on a trail project on the iconic Scotchman Peak trail #65, where you can break a sweat, meet new friends, and give back to our wild backyard. You’ll help to clear downed trees, repair tread, enhance trail by trimming back plants, and reduce user-created shortcuts on the trail. Wear sturdy boots, carry lots of water, pack lunch and …
hike: Montana Eagle Experience
Join Friends of Scotchman Peaks and Kaniksu Land Trust for a spectacular Montana Eagle Experience! Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with our Montana Eagle Experience, where Paul and Anne Schnell, Eagle and Raptor experts will share her knowledge, passion and their magnificent birds with us at the beautiful Cabinet View Nature Area in Heron. You’ll learn about their behavior, habitat, and …
event: Trail Project: Star Gulch Overnight
Join FSPW and Kootenai National Forest for a few days of good work on the Star Gulch Trail! We’ll clear downed trees and clear brush. Wear sturdy boots, carry lots of water, dress in long pants, long shirt, hat, sunblock, and bring your own work gloves. This will be a self supported backpack trip. Meet @9:00am and finish the next …
hike: Foraging Hike with Megan & Juli
Embark on a magical journey through the lush forest, as you discover the hidden treasures nature has to offer. Follow your senses and collect wild edibles, vibrant berries, and fragrant herbs. The crackle of leaves beneath your feet and the sweet scent of pine needles in the air makes this foraging hike an unforgettable adventure. Join board member and resident …
hike: Little Spar Lake Overnight Backpack
Experience the serenity of the wilderness with our Little Spar Lake Overnight Backpacking Adventure. Nestled in the heart of pristine backcountry, this journey promises breathtaking vistas, tranquil lakeside camping, and unforgettable moments under the starlit sky. Our adventure begins at the trailhead, where we’ll don our backpacks and set off through the lush Spar Creek Canyon, a fine example of …
event: Family Campout at Fishtrap Lake
Sanders County 4-H, Friends of Scotchman Peaks and Kaniksu Land Trust are teaming up to host a family campout at Fishtrap Lake! A family campout is a perfect opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy quality time with loved ones in the great outdoors. Imagine roasting marshmallows over a crackling fire, telling stories under the …
event: Trail Project: East Fork Peak #563
Join us on a trail project! You’ll help to clear downed trees, repair tread, enhance trail by trimming back plants, and reduce user-created shortcuts on the trail. Wear sturdy boots, carry lots of water, pack lunch and lots of snacks, dress in long pants, long shirt, hat, sunblock, and bring your own work gloves. FSPW will take care of the …
hike: Moose Lake & Char Falls Hike
The Cabinet Mountains are a wonderfully remote region of North Idaho that’s begging to be explored, and it’s here you’ll find the little-known waterfall known as Char Falls and the beautiful Moose Lake north of the Scotchmans. For a memorable trek through unspoiled scenery, this alpine lake and hidden falls won’t disappoint. Moose Lake Trail is a perfect short, easy …
event: Trail Project: Star Peak #999
Join us on a trail project where you can break a sweat, meet new friends, and give back to our wild backyard. Our focus today will be on brushing and trimming back plant overgrowth. We’ll also clear downed trees and repair tread as needed, and reduce user-created shortcuts on the trail. Wear sturdy boots, carry lots of water, pack lunch …
event: The Big Burn Film Showing & Hike
114th Anniversary Showing of The Big Burn Saturday, August 17th at 7:00pm, Rex Theater, Thompson Falls, MT In the summer of 1910, the largest fire in American history raged in the Norther Rockies. In the spring of 1905, the first group of fresh-faced graduates of Yale’s Forestry School began to arrive in the bawdy frontier towns of the West. These …
event: Trail Project: Morris Creek Trail #132
If you’re looking for something a little more easy-going in the Scotchmans, Morris Creek Trail #132 has you covered with a modest elevation gain. You’ll travel along Morris Creek through a dense cedar forest filled with berries, mushrooms, wildflowers, and other forest wonders. You’ll help to clear downed trees, repair tread, enhance trail by trimming back plants, and reduce user-created …
event: Trail Project: East Fork Peak #153
Join us on a trail project where you can break a sweat, meet new friends, and give back to our wild backyard. You’ll help to clear downed trees, repair tread, remove water bars, and reduce user-created shortcuts on the trail. Wear sturdy boots, carry lots of water, pack lunch and lots of snacks, dress in long pants, long shirt, hat, …
event: Trail Project: Trail Steward’s Choice
Join us on a trail project where you can break a sweat, meet new friends, and give back to our wild backyard. You’ll help to clear downed trees, repair tread, enhance trail by trimming back plants, and reduce user-created shortcuts on the trail. Wear sturdy boots, carry lots of water, pack lunch and lots of snacks, dress in long pants, …
event: National Public Lands Day: Trail Project: Morris Creek #132
Join us for National Public Lands Day 2024. This is a big day for Wilderness advocates like FSPW. We chose this location due to it’s easy accessibility, moderate elevation gain, and the work that needs to be accomplished. Join us for the trail work and get rewarded with a BBQ afterwards. It’s a win/win situation. Wear sturdy boots, carry lots …
hike: Scotchman Peak Summit: End Of Season Hike
Join us on our annual end of season hike: Scotchman Peak Summit Hike Our annual fall hike to the summit of Scotchman Peak. At 3.8 miles one way and 3,600 feet of climbing, it’s strenuous, but the views are worth the effort! We’ll go slow as an old goat, so all can join. Some years it snows, some years it …
