NORTHERN IDAHO

Summary

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Famous in Northern Idaho, Scotchman’s Peak stands out with spectacular 360 degree views and resident Mountain goats to ward off while taking in the gorgeous surroundings and catching your breath.

Trail Stats

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Trail Details

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If you haven’t been out to Scotchman’s Peak and you are in the area go. This hike is well known and beloved to locals. It boasts about 1,000 feet of elevation gain per mile with ever persistent mountain goats at the peak as well as gorgeous views of the surrounding peaks and Lake Pend Oreille.

That being said, finding the trailhead can sometimes be a frustration. If you go onto WTA’s website (or most other’s) the trail reviews have consistent complaints regarding incorrect directions. Calm down people. You will likely get frustrated, maybe a little lost way out on those bumpy northern Idaho forest roads. It’s pretty out there. Look for the signs. Last time I was out there they were fairly obvious if you paid attention. Once we drove out near the trail and camped overnight to avoid a long drive out in the morning as this trail is a few hours from home.

As a warning, if you choose to visit in the spring the trailhead may not actually be accessible. A group of us drove all the way out to find the last tiny section to the parking lot impassable due to a raging torrent of water (in the summer it’s a trickle at best) crossing the road. And it was deep, swift and rocky. We certainly debated the wisdom of driving across (not a good idea) and then in desperation, if we could tie off to a tree and cross on foot. There was talk of stripping off shoes and pants to cross. Of leaving wet gear on the other side and carrying dry gear across to hike in. Ultimately we decided this was all foolishness and found another trail to hike. Scotchman’s wasn’t going to go anywhere despite our disappointment. We could wait.

Our first time climbing Scotchman’s was many years ago while visiting my mother in Northern Idaho. We still weren’t doing a ton of hiking back then but my mom knew I’m (as she say’s) “hard to please” when it comes to hikes and the quality of views. Apparently hiking in the Cascades has spoiled me and I expect the fantastic. With all that in mind we settled on Scotchman’s. Doug came along blissfully unaware of what Scotchman’s entails. We also had our dog, Maggie, who while dingy as a bat, loved a good hike and anything outside. Unless it was a falling leaf. That stuff was scary.

Scotchman’s does not mess around. There’s no gentle slope to warm up on. Stretch in the parking lot because the trail immediately begins its ascent. The lower section is, as per normal, in the tree’s. Just relentless upward motion. There’s a section where the trail continues straight, seemingly forever, with tree’s on either side. It was here on that first run where Doug asked what exactly we were hiking. Only one of the more challenging hikes in the area. Naturally. To be fair we were all gasping our way up. Like I said, we didn’t hike nearly as much back then and were not accustomed to the likes. Well, except for Maggie. She was happy as a pig in mud.

As we reached higher and higher the tree’s thinned out in spots and were replaced with bushes. These ones were laden with huckleberries that had to be sampled. Who can resist these delightful treats? Certainly not me!

I was the leader on this particular hike. I picked my way through, rustling the bushes as I blissfully munched away. Following came my mom, equal in her perusal for berries. Then came Maggie, bounding through the bushes with abandon. Lastly came Doug. Poor Doug. After all of us had come through, Doug, not even really (at that time anyway) into the berries came through and WHAM! One very angry bee nailed him. Directly in the bicep. Now Doug happens to be allergic to bee’s. Not epi-pen allergic but allergic enough to look like a one sided pop-eye after eating spinach. Normally I carry Benadryl. Do you think I had any that day? Nope. Not so much. Bummer dude. To be fair we did debate returning down the hill. Doug ultimately chose to keep pressing forward. No bee was going to defeat him.

Onward we went. The trail begins to really open up and the views ever improve with the elevation gain. There are beautiful rocky sections to traverse (I love rocks!). Views of Lake Pend Oreille are stellar.

The first time we went up we only saw the infamous mountain goats while having lunch at the top. As it was quite awhile ago, the goats were not that interested in us. They were doing goat things wandering around the rocks. We kept Maggie leashed and away from them. She was generally a good dog and while quite interested, never whoofed or barked at them. We would never allow her to approach them.

By the last time we summited Scotchman’s the goats had certainly become habituated to humans and were a straight up nuisance. Keep your packs on you or close. The goats will try to lick the salt off. We were approached frequently and resorted to waving at them and tossing rocks at their feet to shoo them away. Poor goats, if people weren’t so stupid (sorry not sorry) and would avoid feeding and approaching them things would likely be different. As it is be cautious. They can be dangerous. If you don’t believe me look into what happened in the Olympic National Forest. Goats killed someone (granted he had questionable behavior) and in the end many goats were rounded up and removed. The rest were hunted down and no longer exist. Sad for all. Long story short, let wild animals be wild. And there. I’ve said my piece. I’ll get off the soap box now. So long as you don’t mention litterers and those annoying people who feel the need to blast their music/podcast or whatever while they hike. No bueno people.

Back to the original hike. We immensely enjoyed. The views are out of this world, the lake and Cabinet Mountain range are phenomenal. You can certainly see into Montana as you look toward the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness to the East. The Selkirk Mountain range is visible to the West. Goats galavanting along rocky peaks is a bonus.

By time we returned to the parking lot our knee’s ached, it’s just as steep on the way down. Funny that. And Doug’s bee stung bicep really did look like something from a cartoon. We stopped at a convenient store on the way home to get him the necessary meds. He didn’t look too comfortable. That thing took a few days to calm down.

Now, for all things unrelated but very important. One of the best bakeries in the world (my opinion) lays just a bit further (toward Montana) in the little town of Clark Fork. The Clark Fork Pantry. They sell delectable pastries along with ice cream. The sticky buns are delish. As well as the raspberry cream cheese danish. Oh. My. Goodness. I’m drooling at the thought. So good. Stop in and try them. We stop any time we go thru the town. Unless it’s Sunday. They aren’t open. Probably good for my waistline but it disappoints my heart and taste buds each time we drive through on a Sunday.

If you’d like more information on Scotchman’s peak there are many options.

Friends of Scotchman’s Peak 

These guys LOVE Scotchman Peak Wilderness area and have a dedicated website including multiple hikes in the area. They do a lot of conservation work and are a great asset to the area. They’ve been maintaining this trail long before the other sites even knew about it. Definitely a go to for information.

WTA.org

Yeah! My favorite site is finally getting more hikes in East of the Cascades! Granted this description is brief. But hey, they are getting it in.

AllTrails.com

I do not love AllTrails. Personal preference. But they do have info on Scotchman’s. Seriously, check out Friend’s of Scotchman’s before these guys.

And because it is necessary, check out Clark Fork Pantry.

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