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: Scotchman Peak #65
Join FSPW and Spokane Mountaineers on a trail project on the iconic Scotchman Peak trail, 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 …
event: Intro to Trail Work: Round Lake State Park
Join FSPW for an engaging Introduction to Trail Work session, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of maintaining and building sustainable trails. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this hands-on workshop will cover essential tools, techniques, and best practices to help preserve our natural landscapes. You’ll gain valuable knowledge on soil erosion control, proper trail design, and safety measures, …
event: Trail Project: Morris Creek #132
If you’re looking for something a little more easy-going in the Scotchmans, Morris Creek Trail has you covered with a modest elevation gain. As a treat, Ed Robinson, IDL Forester will also educate us about old growth trees in the upper part of the trail. You’ll travel along Morris Creek through a dense cedar forest filled with berries, mushrooms, wildflowers, …
hike: Big Spar Trail Foraging Hike
Join FSPW and and Katie with Bull River Farm for a wild hike up to Big Spar Lake where we’ll discover wild edibles and learn how to identify plants, fungi and herbs that are safe to forage. Have you ever been curious about what plants are safe to eat and how to properly forage herbs? This is a great way …
event: State of the Scotchmans 2025
Join Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness for our annual State of the Scotchmans celebration! Set against the stunning backdrop of Blue C Ranch, this free, family-friendly gathering is our way of saying thank you—and keeping you in the loop on our continued work to protect the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. Come enjoy live music from local favorite John Firshi, grilled …
event: Eyes on the Horizon: The Story of Fire Lookouts
Step into the world of fire lookouts—those solitary sentinels of the forest who once stood watch high above the treetops, protecting our wild lands from devastating wildfires. In this engaging talk at Eddy Peak Lookout with Craig Phillips, who has been manning the lookout for 20 years, you’ll learn about the history, daily life, and critical role of fire lookouts …
hike: East Fork Peak Hike
East Fork Peak provides stunning views of the northern part of the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. This hike starts off with minimal elevation gain the first couple miles, then becomes steep for about 3 miles. The total is about 8.5 miles round trip with about 3,000 foot vertical gain. This is an area that doesn’t get a lot of use. Please …
hike: Little Spar Lake Overnight Backpack
Experience the serenity of the wilderness with our Little Spar Lake Overnight Backpacking Adventure. Little spar lake is nestled above Big Spar lake and backed by a stunning rock Ridgeline. With its crystal blue water its a serene and peaceful place to sleep under the stars. We will hike along the creek drainage up to the lake before the heat …
event: Women’s Trail Project: Dry Creek #1020
Join our Women’s Only trail project as we work on the Dry Creek Trail #1020. This trail runs along the base of the Pillick Ridge complex, providing access to Star, Hamilton and Napoleon Gulch Trails. You’ll help to clear downed trees, repair tread, enhance trail by trimming back plants, and improving the intersections with the trails that if “feeds” into. …
hike: Hike & Read Old Hwy 2
Join FSPW and Lincoln County Library – Troy for their annual Hike & Read Series. This hike will be on the Old Hwy 2 trail. For more information and to register call the Library at (406) 295-4040.
hike: Family Campout to Fishtrap Lake
Friends of Scotchman Peaks, Sanders County 4-H 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: 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 Wallowa’s, 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 reduce …
hike: Hike & Read Alvord Lake
Join FSPW and Lincoln County Library – Troy for their annual Hike & Read Series. This hike will be to Alvord Lake. Experience this beautiful hike around Lake Alvord which boasts abundant bird habitat such as loons, great blue herons, osprey, and bald eagles. This will be our end of summer celebration with a hike around the lake, story, picnic, …
event: Trail Project: East Fork #563
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: Little Spar Lake #143 Overnight
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 Wallowa’s, 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 reduce …
hike: Hiking with Kids to Antelope Lake
Friends of Scotchman Peaks, Kaniksu Land Trust, and Mountain Mamas are excited to host a fabulous Hiking with Kids presentation and trek to Antelope Lake. You won’t want to miss these stories and insights on hiking with kids in the mountains! Bring a lunch, water, swim wear if you’d like, and a carry pack if you have babies or toddlers. …
hike: Slide Rock Mountain Hike
Join FSPW, Cube Iron Cataract Coalition, and Wild Montana for a hike along Slide Rock Mountain. This ridgeline trail North of Thompson Falls, MT offers amazing panoramic views of Sylvan Lake and the surrounding mountains—perfect for some adventure and a chance to connect with nature. The trail will be 10-12 miles out and back with little elevation gain. See the …
event: Trail Project: Goat Mountain #135
Join FSPW 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: Star Gulch #1016
Break a sweat to protect the trails you love. Plus, share a fun day outside with fellow Friends of our wild backyard. You’ll help to clear downed trees, repair tread, remove waterbars, 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, …
hike: Fall Hike to Star Peak Lookout
Head to the historic lookout atop Star Peak and see some beautiful fall colors and scenery along the way. This hike is 10 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 4,000 feet. We will travel switchbacks up to the forest and then venture through an old burn area full of beautiful vegetation and huckleberries. Then the final push …
hike: Spar Peak Fall Hike
Come along as we get a sneak peak at fall colors while enjoying the end of summer on Spar Peak! Often still thick with huckleberries, this 3,000 feet elevation gain hike has a lot of “up” with amazing views as your reward. About 8 miles round trip we will ascend from the creek floor through massive cedars and then follow …
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: National Public Lands Day – Trail Project: East Fork #563
On National Public Lands Day we want to celebrate your public lands by helping to clear East Fork Creek Trail. You’ll help to clear downed trees, repair tread, enhance trail by trimming back plants and reduce user-created shortcuts on the upper part of the trail. We’ll finish with a cook-out at the trailhead! Wear sturdy boots, carry lots of water, …
event: End of Season: Trail Project: Star Gulch #1016
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! We saved the “best” for last – or we procrastinated about completing our work on Star Gulch… you decide. Get sweaty, dirty, laugh and hang out with Friends of Scotchman …
hike: Scotchman Peak Summit: End Of Season Hike
Join Phil Hough, FSPW Executive Director for our annual end of season fall hike to the summit of Scotchman Peak. This trail is not long, about 4 miles one way; but it is steep, with almost 4,000 foot vertical elevation gain. The upper slopes hold stunning views and we often see mountain goats. We’ll go slow as an old goat, …
