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: Wilderness Remote First Aid Class
Get certified in Adult CPR and Wilderness Remote First Aid with Friends of Scotchman Peaks. FSPW is offering the class and certification June 8th and 9th in Sandpoint, Idaho. Our volunteer instructor, Carol Jenkins, is certified by the Red Cross to teach this course. The class will be held at Westwood Clubhouse, 1703 Westwood Drive. The class will run from 8am …
event: Trail Project Day: Ross Creek Cedars #142
Join us on a trail project in the beloved Ross Creek Cedars trail area, 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 …
hike: Hiking with Kids!
Friends of Scotchman Peaks, Kaniksu Land Trust, and Mountain Mamas are excited to host Rebecca Sanchez for a fabulous Hiking with Kids presentation and trek into the Scotchman’s up Morris Creek. 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 …
event: Trail Project Day: 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: Dry Creek Wildlife ID/Tracking Hike
Join us for a fun early summer hike along the Bull River and learn about local wildlife (hopefully we’ll even see some tracks). There is one creek to cross at the beginning. It’s pretty easy but wear water proof gear. Trail is mostly flat with a few hills and beautiful summer scenery. We will carpool from Six Gun Pizza at …
hike: Thompson Falls Hike, Bike & Fish Island Park
Join Friends of Scotchman Peaks and Sanders County 4-H Outdoor Adventures for a fun family bike ride, hike and fishing at the Thompson Falls Island Park. It is a beautiful island with two dams, a fish ladder, a powerhouse, historical bridges, and an old substation. Hike is Monday, June 26th from 3-6pm MST (2-5pm PST). Share this Page
event: Trail Project Day: Star Gulch #1016
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: South Fork of Ross Creek Cedars
Join FSPW Board Member Megan Leach on this wonderful hike on the South Fork of the Ross Creek Cedars. Leave the summer crowds behind as we make our way through the ancient Cedars, following the creek up to a waterfall. It’s 9 miles roundtrip with 1300 feet of elevation gain, a small price to pay for getting away from the …
event: Trail Project Day: Star Peak #999
Join us on a trail project as we finish up our 3 trail projects on Star Peak #999. 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, …
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 staff member Juli Thurston …
hike: Let’s Try Nature Drawing!
Join us on a picturesque journey through nature on Big Spar Trail where we will sketch and capture the stunning beauty of flora and fauna. Get ready to unleash your inner artist and be inspired by the natural wonders around you! Bring your favorite sketchbook and colored pencils! We will meet at the Big Spar Lake Trailhead. Bring lunch, snacks …
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 Day: Napoleon Gulch #1035
Join us on a trail project on the Napoleon Gulch watershed. We are at the half way point of the trial project season…have you done your part for trails? Have you put some sweat equity in for trails? Hard work goes into maintaining trails for a large swath of individuals to explore, the trails don’t maintain themselves. Mother Nature is …
event: Trail Project Day: Little Spar Lake #143
If you haven’t hiked to Little Spar Lake you are missing out on a gem in the Scotchman Peaks. This little lake reminds me of lakes in the Wallows, or the Enchantments without the need of a permit or the crowds. It’s so beautiful! You’ll help to clear downed trees, repair tread, enhance trail by trimming back plants and …
hike: Morris Creek Trail #132
Hike at the base of the Scotchman Peaks on a cool, shady trail with a refreshing creek meandering next to the trail. Beat the heat and replace the need of an epic summit push and replace that with a fun, cool and relaxing hike along Morris Creek. We’ll enjoy wildflowers all along our 8 mile up-and-back roundtrip with 1600 feet …
hike: Summer Waterfall Tour
A fun and exciting adventure awaits you on this waterfall tour hike! Experience the beauty of cascading waterfalls as you hike through picturesque landscapes. With every step, you’ll discover new sights and sounds that will leave you in awe. Don’t miss out on this exhilarating journey through nature’s wonderland! We will start the day and meet at Cascade Campgrounds in …
event: Trail Project Day: Blacktail Creek Trail
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: Trail Project Day: Goat Mountain
Join us 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 do our trail work on the lower portion of the trail. Still be prepared to break a sweat. We will all enjoy the hike and elevation gain together. I mean …
event: Trail Project Day: Morris Creek Trail
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: The Big Burn Film Showing & Hike
113th Anniversary Showing of The Big Burn Saturday, August 19th 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 …
hike: Little Spar Lake Wilderness Walk with Wild Montana
Little Spar Lake sits in a rugged basin within the shadows of 7009-foot Scotchman Peak. The trail to it follows one of the most scenic and dramatic stream valleys in the entire Cabinet Mountain range. You will pass through groves of giant cedars and Western hemlocks, skirt below cliffs, and blaze across wildlife-rich meadows. You will hike past Spar Peak …
event: Trail Project Day: East Fork Creek #563
Join us on this fun, flat trail project. Last year we cut a new trail here, created a bridge across the creek, side-stepped the bee’s nest and cut new trail on the North side of the creek. This year we will continue where we left off. It’s very cool to build a trail and at he end of the day …
event: Trail Project Day: Napoleon Gulch #1035
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: Trail Project Day: Scotchman Peak #65 “Take 3”
This will be are third trail project day on the flanks of Scotchman Peak. This one will be an amazing hike, interaction with weekend hikers and an opportunity for them to see trail work in the flesh. By this point in the Trail Project season, I hope that our core volunteers are grizzled mountain people, easily climbing the elevation of …
event: National Public Lands Day: Trail Project: Regal/Morris Creek
Join us for National Public Lands Day 2023. This is a big day for Wilderness advocates like FSPW. We choice this location due to it’s easy accessibility, moderate elevation gain and the work that needs to be accomplished on these 2 trails. Join us for the trail work and get rewarded with a BBQ afterwards. It’s a win/win situation. Wear …
event: Trail Project Day: Goat Mountain 2: The End of the Season
All good things must come to an end…same goes for hard work on trails, communing with your trail friends in the wild, and giving your time to trail stewardship! I sincerely hope that this seasons crew was filled with new faces, old trail veterans and a fun mixture of ages, backgrounds and experience. We saved the “best” for last. or …
hike: Scotchman Peak Trail #65 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 almost 4 miles one way and 3,8000 feet of climbing, It’s strenuous, but the views provide a spectacular reward. We’ll go slow and keep the group together. Wear sturdy boots, spare clothes, it’s Oct 1st so …
